This homemade chicken nuggets Parmesan is made using Italian breadcrumbs mixed with garlic, basil, and Parmesan. They are deep-fried chicken nuggets, with a crispy crust full of flavor. Easy to freeze and ready to make.

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Why these are the best nuggets
These homemade chicken nuggets are way better than any other chicken nuggets you have tried.
Coated with Italian breadcrumbs mixed with garlic, basil and Parmesan, and deep-fried, they don't need a sauce to give them flavor.
The cheesy crispy crust and the juicy chicken make these nuggets a children's favorite that even adults will rave about.
Ingredients
The ingredients I use for this recipe are:
- Chicken: this time I use the chicken breast cut in chunky slices (½ in - 1.3 cm thick). They come out nice and juicy. However, I found that chicken thighs have a better result as the meat is tastier and succulent. If you can find chicken thighs already deboned I would recommend using them.
- Flour: the chicken needs to be coated with flour as it makes the eggs adhere around the nuggets.
- Eggs: the eggs make a nice thick crispy coating with the breadcrumbs
- Italian Breadcrumbs: the breadcrumbs are what differentiate these nuggets from the rest. The combination of Parmesan, basil, and garlic creates a crispy crust packed with flavor.
How to make them
Prepare the breadcrumbs
- Blend with an electric blender a cup of shredded breadcrumbs with basil or parsley leaves and a garlic clove
- Add the grated parmesan to the breadcrumbs
- Stir with a fork to remove all the lumps
Preparing all the ingredients
- Cut the chicken breasts into chunky slices (½ in - 1.3 cm thick) and season with salt .
- On a deep plate mix the eggs
- On another deep plate pour the flour
- Place the breadcrumbs in a third deep plate
Coating the chicken nuggets
- One by one dip the chicken nuggets in the flour, making sure they are completely coated
- Shake off any excess flour
- Then dip them in the eggs
- Lastly in the breadcrumbs
What to do with the leftover breadcrumbs and eggs
The remaining breadcrumbs should not be put away as they have touched raw chicken and cannot be re-stored.
- Mix the remaining breadcrumbs with the remaining eggs
- Shape them as nuggets and fry them with the chicken nuggets
Chicken nuggets can be freezed
Once the chicken nuggets are completely coated and ready, you can either fry them or place them into a container and freeze them for later use.
Freeze them already sorted into portions so you can defrost only what you need.
Frying them
- Deep-fry them in oil until golden and crispy. Make sure it is enough time to cook all the way to the center
- Place them on a kitchen towel to drain the excess oil
How to serve them
The basil, garlic, and parmesan in the breadcrumbs enrich the flavor of the nuggets perfectly.
They can be served with just a salad, and I can guarantee will satisfy everyone’s appetite.
If you want to serve it with a sauce, you can use:
- Homemade mayonnaise
- Aioli
- Ketchup ( not my favorite, but that is me)
- Simple fresh lemon juice
Using a deep fryer
I must confess, I do not have an air fryer.
We don't often eat fried food, but when we do I like to have the real thing.
I bought a deep fryer and I am very happy with it, as I can make a large quantity of fried food in no time.
Perfect when entertaining a large number of guests.
You can read more about my deep fryer here: Deep fryer
Frozen chicken nuggets
I always have a reserve of chicken nuggets in the freezer that I can quickly make if I have guests coming with their children.
I pack them into small containers wrapped them in aluminum foil so I can defrost only the amount I need.
It is best to defrost them earlier, but if your guests are unexpected you can even fry them from frozen.
Although, allow enough cooking time to make sure the center of the nuggets is thoroughly cooked.
If you want to freeze the chicken nuggets, make sure none of the ingredients have been previously frozen as refreezing food can be unhealthy.
For additional storage and freezer recommendations follow the guidelines described in the article: Once a Month Freezer Meal Prep
Chicken nuggets and fries in 30 minutes
If you are serving chicken nuggets to children they surely will ask for fries.
Making crispy french fries can take time as the potatoes need to be soaked in water to remove the starch.
I have a shortcut to make the best wedges potatoes in only 30 minutes.
I pre-cook the potatoes in the microwave, then crisp them up in the oven.
You can read the recipe here: Baked Potato Microwave And Oven
Use the leftover breadcrumbs
The remaining breadcrumbs should not be put away as they have touched raw chicken and cannot be re-stored.
I usually mix them with the remaining eggs and fry them up to limit wastage. Kids love them; in Italian they are called the “Vecchia”, meaning old lady.
Probably because they were reserved for toothless old ladies who could not bite into a chicken!
Healthier baked chicken nuggets parmesan
For a healthier option of these chicken nuggets, you can make a simple version using the same breadcrumbs, and bake them instead of frying them.
The process is much simpler and uses fewer ingredients as you don't need to coat the nuggets in flour and eggs.
The chicken is simply seasoned in olive oil and salt, then coated with the same breadcrumbs.
You can find the recipe Easy Healthy Baked Breaded Chicken Breast
More recipe you can make ahead and freeze
- Sausagemeat and Chestnut Stuffing Wrapped in Bacon
- Beef Sausage Hand Pie Recipe
- Sicilian Beef Braciole Recipe
If you are making the Italian Chicken Nuggets Parmesan, leave your comment below I would like to hear from you. You can find more delicious ideas if you FOLLOW ME on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram or sign up to my newsletter.
📋 Italian Chicken Nuggets Parmesan
Ingredients (Commissions Earned)
Breadcrumbs (can be prepared in advance and stored in the freezer)
- 4 cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 20 leaves fresh basil leaves
- 2 clove peeled garlic cloves
Chicken
- 4 chicken breast
- 1 cup flour
- 3 fresh eggs
- salt & pepper
- vegetable oil for frying
Equipment (Commissions Earned)
Instructions
Preparing the ingredients
- Cut the chicken breast into chunky slices and season with salt.4 chicken breast, salt & pepper
- On a deep plate mix the eggs3 fresh eggs
- On another deep plate pour the flour1 cup flour
- In a blender mix the breadcrumbs with garlic, basil (or parsley), and Parmesan4 cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan, 20 leaves fresh basil leaves, 2 clove peeled garlic cloves
- Place the breadcrumbs on a third deep plate
Coating the chicken nuggets
- One by one dip the chicken nuggets in the flour, making sure they are completely coated.
- Shake off any excess flour.
- Then dip them in the eggs
- Lastly in the breadcrumbs
- Lay them all in a tray
- Once the chicken nuggets are completely coated and ready, you can either fry them or place them into a container and freeze them for later use. Freeze them already sorted into portions so you can defrost only what you need.
- Mix the remaining breadcrumbs with the remaining eggs and shape them as nuggets
- Deep-fry them in oil until golden and crispy. Make sure it is enough time to cook all the way to the centervegetable oil for frying
- Place them on a kitchen towel to drain the excess oil
- Serve them warm with mayonnaise or fresh lemon juice
Video
Notes
- In this recipe, I used chicken breasts but chicken thighs are my favorite
- Once the chicken nuggets are completely coated and ready, you can either fry them or place them into a container and freeze them for later use.
- The remaining breadcrumbs should not be put away as they have touched raw chicken and cannot be re-stored. I usually mix them with the remaining eggs and fry them up to limit wastage.
- For a healthier option of these chicken nuggets, you can make a simple version using the same breadcrumbs, and bake them instead of frying them. You don't need to coat them with flour and eggs but just olive oil, salt and breadcrumbs. You can find the recipe: Easy Healthy Baked Breaded Chicken Breast
Brian Jones
They look superb, I have not made something like this for what seems forever, definitely an inspiration to rustle up something similar some time soon.
Laura
Thank you Brian, when you have children is often required
Danielle
We always make our own chicken nuggets. The great thing about it is that you can make loads of different flavour combos.
Laura
So many alternatives to try
Chris Collins
I've been looking for a great chicken nugget recipe for a while now and think I've found a winner here! LOVE that you use Parmesan! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Laura
Thank you Chris, I am glad you like them
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
These look amazing! Will have to give making these a try, I think my children would adore them!
Laura
Thank you, Children love those
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes
I love the idea of serving chicken nuggets with a squeeze of lemon!
Laura
that is what we use to do in Italy
Vaughn
wow now i can make chicken nugget better than buying one
Laura
yes, they are mich better