pre cook chicken for nuggets

angelbabies · #1 (**permalink**) 01-02-10, 17:51

hi i'm not confident as a cook (in case anyone hadn't realised from all my questions) but i once attempted chicken balls but didn't give to dd as thought may not have cooked properly.

could i steam/poach chicken breast (some way of cooking it so still soft rather than roast) first then blend to make mince then make into nuggets and fry so only really frying to brown than cook?

also would i freeze before frying? or does that mean i would end up cooking the chicken twice - once before made into nuggets and then when defrost/fry?

ta

DrP · #2 (**permalink**) 01-02-10, 18:46

You can make them with cooked chicken if you like, although you'll probably have to use more than just chicken if you want to mince it. There's a recipe here on how to make them using cooked chicken. I find the secret to making sure that chicken nuggets or chicken balls are cooked through is to cook them slowly over a medium heat and no hotter.

I wouldn't be too sure about freezing the ones made with cooked chicken as you are less likely to cook them thoroughly once they come out of the freezer given that the chicken is already cooked.

For my LO I just cut the chicken into thin strips, coat with flour then egg then breadcrumbs and the fry till done. As it's pure chicken I can test to see if they are done by just cutting one in half. As long as the meat is white and not pink then it's done. By keeping them thin the chicken will cook quicker and it is very hard to underdo them.

Anna07 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-02-10, 19:06

i use those mini chicken fillets to make breaded chicken for Izzy as they are v thin and cook so quickly, i just dip in egg and then roll in breadcrumbs that i have blitzed in the blender with pinch of garlic granules and paprika and then they only take 15 mins tops in a hot oven (170 ours is a fan one). You can always check by cutting one in half and as long as white all the way through they are fine.

Leahbird · #4 (**permalink**) 01-02-10, 20:14

i just use chicken breast, cut into chunks dip in egg or sometimes sweet chilli sauce or peanut butter then roll in breadcrumbs (i blitz some bread in my food chopper) then cook for 20-30 mins.

I have frozen them raw them and then lifted out to cook again same time as above. They can be frozen from cooked provided they are thoroughly cooked and not frozen again,

angelbabies · #5 (**permalink**) 01-02-10, 22:32

i like the idea of oven baking them as i think i've only found recipes where fry and i'd be more comfortable with checking they are done. tbh i have a weird fear of frying stuff.

will try the egg and breadcrumbs and cook in oven. thanks.

angelbabies · #6 (**permalink**) 04-02-10, 23:05

thanks again for the advice - made some nuggets today which turned out really well oven baked - they were so moist and could cut then with the side of a fork which you cannot do with any shop bought. dd ate most of hers, i found a little bland but i put that down to having eaten shop bought for years. i added paprika to breadcrumbs but very little as was afraid to ruin breadcrumbs becuase only had a couple of slices of bread.

DrP · #7 (**permalink**) 04-02-10, 23:35

Sounds yum.

mrsharvey · #8 (**permalink**) 05-02-10, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna07

i use those mini chicken fillets to make breaded chicken for Izzy as they are v thin and cook so quickly, i just dip in egg and then roll in breadcrumbs that i have blitzed in the blender with pinch of garlic granules and paprika and then they only take 15 mins tops in a hot oven (170 ours is a fan one). You can always check by cutting one in half and as long as white all the way through they are fine.

I do the same as Anna and Jess loves them, I freeze a couple too and only takes about another 5 mins to cook x