Crispy, crunchy and delicious – what’s not to love about chicken nuggets? Although your love for these savoury treats may be undeniable, how much do you really know about them? Sit back and expand your knowledge before you treat yourself to a meal of nuggets.
Where do chicken nuggets come from?
Different versions of nuggets made with poultry have been around for some time. However, the humble chicken nugget as we know it today was created in the 1950s. This meat dish was created thanks to advances in refrigeration technology that allowed people to store frozen food at home. Freezers became common in homes around the US, and chicken nuggets quickly became synonymous with convenience food. As these nuggets started appearing at local grocery stores, they became more widely available on menus at fast-food restaurants worldwide.
These tasty morsels are a winner the world over. And for Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, they may have made him a winner during the 2008 Olympic games. This superstar athlete consumed approximately 1,000 chicken nuggets in the course of the games, going on to win an astounding three gold medals.
How they’re made
Most chicken nuggets are prepared in a similar manner. Home chefs mince whole chicken breasts before flavouring the meat with salt, pepper and a selection of herbs. The ground chicken is then shaped into individual nuggets before being chilled in a fridge or freezer. Once they’re entirely cooled, the nuggets are each dipped in beaten egg, flour and bread crumbs and then transferred to a baking tray. Next, the nuggets are either deep-fried or oven-baked until crispy and golden.
The best way to enjoy these meaty nuggets is to serve them with some kind of sauce. You could opt for ketchup, mayonnaise or even better, barbeque sauce. Accompany them with a portion of fries or corn to make a full meal. An ice-cold fizzy drink is the best way to wash down your meaty dish.
Try it yourself
Chicken nuggets are the perfect meal when you’re on the run and need a quick boost. They’re compact and easy to eat without utensils.
Treat yourself to a tasty portion of nuggets from Burger King or Old Chang Kee.