How To Cook Frozen Chicken Nuggets? – 4 Easy & Quick Ways

how to cook frozen chicken nuggets

If you, too, love chicken nuggets just as much as I do, then things are about to get good for you. I tried to cook frozen nuggets in 4 different ways with some personalized seasonings.

And not to exaggerate, this was the best experiment I have tried so far. So, grab your skillet and get started with how to cook frozen chicken nuggets

4 Amazing Ways – How To Cook Frozen Chicken Nuggets?

1. Cook frozen chicken nuggets in oven.

Baked chicken nuggets are a quick and easy dish, and you can even add your own seasoning to give them a little extra flavor. 

  • Just Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 
  • Place the nuggets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes. Then, Serve fresh out with your favorite dip. 

I like to add a little garlic powder and paprika to mine for extra flavor. You can add these seasonings before or after cooking frozen nuggets in the oven. I personally like to add them later on and serve them with mustard and ketchup. 

2. Cook frozen nuggets in air fryer.

For many of us, chicken nuggets are a guilty pleasure. Whether we’re eating them as a quick snack or serving them as a main course, they always seem to hit the spot. 

  • Simply preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 
  • Then add your chicken nuggets to the basket. 
  • Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. 
  • For an extra crispy and crunchy texture, add a little oil to the basket before cooking. 

I sometimes like to add some peri-peri powder after cooking for a nice kick of spice and serve it with some nice fresh ranch dip. 

Read More: Tyson Chicken Nuggets Review: The Best Frozen Nuggets I Ever Had

3. Cook chicken nuggets on the stove.

If you don’t have the patience to cook frozen nuggets in the oven, then the stove will definitely get the job done much faster. 

Frozen nuggets can be a quick and easy meal, but they can also be a little bland and boring. If you’re looking for a way to spice up your nuggets, cooking them on the stove is a great option.

  • Start by heating some oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. 
  • Once the skillet is hot, add your frozen nuggets and cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and evenly cooked. 
  • You can also try adding some spices or sauces to the nuggets before cooking or serving them with a dipping sauce on the side. 

Nuggets cooked in oil and butter are definitely juicier and flavourful than when cooked in the oven. I personally like to add some salt and pepper and serve the stove-cooked chicken nuggets with some fresh mint sauce. 

Read More: 8+ Best Frozen Chicken Nuggets To Please Your Taste Buds

4. Cook frozen nuggets in oil

Cooking chicken nuggets in oil is a quick and easy way to get a delicious meal on the table. 

  • First, heat a large pan of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. 
  • Then, add the frozen nuggets to the hot oil and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. 
  • Take them out when done, on a separate tray with a paper towel. Let the paper towel soak the oil. Add some salt or seasoning of your choice. 

I like to serve my deep-fried chicken nuggets with barbeque sauce and spicy mayonnaise, and a garnish of cilantro. 

FAQs – How to cook frozen chicken nuggets

How do you make frozen chicken nuggets crispy?

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Place frozen nuggets on a baking sheet—Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes or until crispy.

Many people recommend spraying the baking sheet with cooking spray for extra crispy chicken nuggets, but I’ve found that they turn out just fine without it. And remember not to overcook them, or they’ll get dry and tough.

Should I defrost nuggets before frying?

It is not necessary to defrost chicken nuggets before frying them. In fact, doing so may actually decrease their crispiness.

The easiest way to ensure that nuggets are evenly cooked is to fry them without defrosting – make sure that the oil is hot enough before adding them.

Are frozen nuggets raw or cooked?

Most likely, the chicken nuggets are cooked. The cooking process usually involves breading the nugget with a flour-like substance, then dipping it into an egg mixture, and finally coating it in breadcrumbs.

At home, you can generally cook chicken nuggets by baking them in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes.

Can I fry frozen chicken nuggets?

Yes. You can indeed fry frozen nuggets.

Why are my chicken nuggets soggy?

The chicken nuggets are soggy because they have been precooked and then frozen.

Precooking the chicken nuggets and then freezing them results in a denser nugget that will absorb more of the frying oil. This increases the fat content of the nuggets and makes them more likely to soak up water, which causes them to become soggy.

The Best Way To Cook Frozen Chicken Nuggets? All 4!

How to cook frozen chicken nuggets? There are four main methods for cooking frozen nuggets: pan frying, oven baking, air frying, and deep frying. I love each of them individually, depending on what I’m craving on particular days. 

Most days, I prefer oven baking and air frying the frozen chicken because it involves the least involvement and comes out perfect and crispy as always.