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copycat wendy's spicy chicken nuggets on a white plate
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Spicy Chicken Nuggets (Wendy’s Copycat)

Copycat Wendy's spicy chicken nuggets are crispy, juicy chicken nuggets coated in a flavorful blend of spices with just the right amount of heat. They're easy to make at home and perfect for satisfying a fast food craving without hitting the drive thru.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Chicken, Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 415kcal
Author: Meaghan - The Quicker Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs italian breadcrumbs or panko
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
  • Vegetable oil for frying
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a bowl, combine ground chicken, salt, black pepper, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, egg, and milk until evenly mixed.
    1 pound ground chicken, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup milk
  • Shape mixture into small nugget-sized pieces and set aside.
  • In a shallow bowl, mix flour, breadcrumbs, chili powder and pepper.
    1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup plain breadcrumbs, 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
  • Coat each nugget evenly in the breading mixture, pressing lightly so it adheres.
  • Heat oil in a skillet to 350°F.
    Vegetable oil
  • Fry nuggets in batches for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
  • Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and serve hot.

Notes

  • Mixing the seasoning directly into the chicken makes sure the chicken is flavorful throughout and not just on the coating.
  • Try to keep the nuggets the same size so they cook evenly.
  • Let the breaded nuggets rest for a few minutes prior to frying to help the coating stick.
  • Make sure to not overcrowd the pan so the oil doesn't drop in temperature.
  • For extra spicy nuggets, mix some hot sauce directly into the chicken mixture.
  • Coating the nuggets in a drizzle of hot honey or buffalo sauce will give you a yummy, saucy version.

Nutrition

Calories: 415kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 146mg | Sodium: 876mg | Potassium: 745mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 312IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 4mg