Treats: Home-made Chicken Nuggets

This Home-made Chicken Nuggets recipe was featured in Kids directory’s On-line publication: http://kidsdirectorybangalore.in/

If someone gave you a handbook to life and told you that everything you need to lead a happy, fulfilling life is in there and all you have to do is "apply" the printed wisdom; Would you take it? I would and I think you would too. Life is short, if you have the code, why not help yourself?! Food Lovers Chicken with delicious chicken recipes selected by Jonnie Leg´er; this is not just any cookbook but one that I would definitely appreciate as a cooking enthusiast. Almost all recipes in the book are for fine cooking and dining! As soon as the book arrived, I dived right into it and honestly, could not put it down. And, I have read it twice already! Their idea was to put together a book with nuggets of wisdom for the perfect execution from kitchen to table; from getting the right ingredients to prepping and cooking right to styling and plating with beautifully photographed food pictures. Food Lover's Chicken is aimed at the everyday cook wanting to improve, the seasoned expert looking to review the highest culinary standards and the food lover seeking a fascinating glimpse into the pursuit of epicurean excellence.

I love the way the book is written; the style and language concise and succinct.  And, the best part; it is perfectly sized!! In just about 394 pages, it packs in quite a bit of tasty dishes and know-how and it is small and light enough to be carried around in a handbag.

Now, that is my kind of reference text. This is one book that is going to be dog-eared much! And a big big Thank you to my beautiful and loving sis-in-law, Sumu (who lives in Adelaide, Australia with her lovely husband, Jacob and handsome little boys, Tarun and Tushar) for this precious gift. Sumuchech, this book came to me at a time when I was wondering when I will ever be able to blog again, yearning for some "me-time". Oh how thrilled I was to get this book Sumuchech and that day I was sure I was going to cook again, not just for family but for friends and loved ones and definitely sharing my recipes and stories in the kitchen on this blog. And so Sumuchech, this one's for you.....Thank you so much for encouraging me with this excellent book and helping me to move on and never give up.

Over to today's dish.... How many of us like yummy deep-fried goodies once in a while?! Atleast I do!

Over weekends, you will agree we all like to have some special food to enjoy family time.  Last weekend, when we called our cousins over for dinner, I decided to prepare home-made Chicken Nuggets (for the first time ever!) rather than buying frozen nuggets. I like experimenting with chicken because it beautifully absorbs a variety of flavors.

Chicken marinated with pepper-salt and crumb fried with a rich coating of bread crumbs is quite the snack to devour on a lazy Sunday. All those mommies with little kids who suddenly turn into cute brats when they see food and demand for fried foods like nuggets from the nearest McDonalds or KFC, here is a perfect dish for you to try at home. And don't have any regrets because they are definitely healthier than the ones you get from any hotel or cold-store.

This works extremely well as a starter or just simply something that you can munch on. I encourage everyone trying out this recipe to use their imagination and be a little creative. You really can't do anything wrong here. Reju ate one or two and said they were scrumptious. For the next time he said we should try them with some Indian/Oriental spices. No problem there!

So, if you are looking for something old but pepped up, something traditional with new flavors, then this is the perfect dish for you.

Hope you enjoy it. There are some recipes that at first sight seem just a bit ordinary or so you think when you look at the list of ingredients. It takes a second look to change that first impression. Because you realize the simplicity of the recipe has big taste attached to it.

For those of you who give this recipe a try will straight away realize that it is quick and easy to make and you will presumably replace those frozen nuggets you buy from the cold store. Nothing against store-bought nuggets, but why settle for frozen processed sticks, when you can enjoy a healthier and tastier chicken big on taste.

So here is how I cooked Chicken Nuggets.  Go ahead and feel free to try different ingredients to personalize it.

Ingredients

600 gms of Boneless Chicken breast; cut into bite-size pieces

Salt & freshly milled pepper

3 to 4 tbsp All-purpose flour

2 Eggs

2 cups Breadcrumbs; to coat

Any Refined Oil; for deep frying (refer notes)

Chili Sauce or Tomato Ketchup; to serve

Method

Season the chicken with salt and pepper and lightly coat them with flour. Keep aside.

Whisk the eggs in a large bowl. Place the breadcrumbs on a flat plate. Coat the chicken pieces with egg, then roll in the breadcrumbs and press down well.

Heat oil (enough for deep frying) in a wok and fry the chicken pieces for about 3 to 4 minutes or till the chicken is cooked through and turns a lovely golden brown. Drain on a paper towel.

Serve hot with chili sauce or tomato ketchup.

Notes:

1. The original recipe uses fat for frying the nuggets. But I really don't think that is necessary simply because it's not healthy. Any refined oil is perfect. (do not use pungent oils like mustard or sesame oils)

2. I also will try using the same recipe and baking these nuggets in the oven to make it a healthy snack. Will let you the verdict soon. And those of you who try it at home, try baking them in the oven for a few minutes, basting enough oil on both sides of the chicken pieces, flipping them in between till they turn a lovely golden brown. Do let me know how they turn out.

Lots of love :)

Recipe Edited on 4^th February 2014:

I promised you all the baked version of the above recipe and here it is. I kept my word, guys. Here you go:

Ingredients

600 gms of boneless chicken breast; cut into bite-size pieces

Salt and freshly milled pepper

3 to 4 tablespoon all-purpose flour

2 eggs

2 cups breadcrumbs OR 1 cup breadcrumbs + 1 cup oats, to coat

1 teaspoon olive oil

Tomato Ketchup; to serve

Method

Begin by seasoning the chicken with salt and pepper and lightly coat them with flour. Keep them aside when done.

Next, whisk the eggs in a large bowl. Place the breadcrumbs on a flat plate. Coat the chicken pieces with egg, then roll in the breadcrumbs and press down well.

Arrange the chicken pieces on a greased baking tray, spacing them a little apart. Drizzle with a little olive oil on each piece of chicken, and bake at 190 C for 8 minutes on either side or till the chicken is cooked through and turns a lovely golden brown. (Halfway through the cooking, drizzle a little more oil on the pieces of chicken. This keeps the chicken moist)

Serve hot with tomato ketchup, a dip of your choice or just as it is.

Recipe Courtesy: Food Lovers Chicken