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Crispy Chicken Nuggets with Hot Honey Ranch – Sweet, Spicy & Crunchy!

These crispy chicken nuggets are extra crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and perfectly seasoned. Paired with a sweet and spicy hot honey ranch, this recipe is the ultimate crowd-pleaser—great for game nights, family meals, or anytime cravings!

  • Total Time: 1 hour (including marinate time)
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken Nuggets:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)

1 cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon smoked paprika

1 cup all-purpose flour

½ cup cornstarch (for extra crunch)

2 eggs (beaten)

1 cup panko breadcrumbs

Vegetable oil for frying

For the Hot Honey Ranch:

½ cup mayonnaise

¼ cup sour cream

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon chili oil

1 teaspoon hot sauce

½ teaspoon dried dill

½ teaspoon garlic powder

Salt to taste

Instructions

1️⃣ Marinate the Chicken

In a bowl, combine chicken, buttermilk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours for extra tenderness).

2️⃣ Prepare the Breading Stations

Bowl 1: Mix flour, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt.

Bowl 2: Beat the eggs until smooth.

Bowl 3: Add panko breadcrumbs for extra crispiness.

3️⃣ Bread the Chicken

Remove chicken from buttermilk.

Coat in flour mixture, then dip in beaten eggs, and finally coat with panko breadcrumbs.

Let rest for 10 minutes to help the breading stick.

4️⃣ Fry the Nuggets

Heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep pan.

Fry nuggets in batches for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown.

Transfer to a wire rack to drain excess oil.

5️⃣ Make the Hot Honey Ranch

In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, honey, chili oil, hot sauce, dried dill, garlic powder, and salt.

Adjust spice level by adding more hot sauce or honey.

6️⃣ Serve & Enjoy!

Serve crispy nuggets hot with hot honey ranch on the side for dipping.

  • Author: Tom
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snack, Main Course
  • Method: Deep Frying, Air Fryer, Baking (optional)
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: crispy chicken nuggets, hot honey ranch, homemade chicken nuggets, buttermilk chicken nuggets, fried chicken bites, spicy chicken nuggets

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