Kid (and adult) love chicken nuggets, whether they’re in their school lunch, fast food, or in a package shaped like a dinosaur. People can’t get enough of these boneless, breaded, and fried chunks of white meat. And why wouldn’t they? Chicken nuggets are quick and easy to make, and like other kinds of fried chicken, they taste great.
Preparing chicken nuggets is very simple and there are many ways to go about doing it. Some of you may follow the directions on the package and bake them at the exact temperature and for the exact amount of time that it says to. Some people put about half a bag of chicken nuggets in the air fryer for a few minutes and “guess” when they’re done. What you want to do is always make chicken nuggets that are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. This can be done in the oven or in an air fryer.
But when it comes to preparing crispy chicken nuggets, the microwave isnt exactly your first choice. It may heat the chicken nuggets up much faster than the oven or air fryer, sure, but the end result is usually warm chicken with soggy, crumbling breading that slides right off the meat. While this may be true most of the time, there is a very easy way to remedy the problem of soggy chicken nuggets. All you need are a couple of paper towels.
Do you want those tasty, crispy chicken nuggets but don’t have time to heat up the oven? If you need a quick meal or snack, microwave frozen chicken nuggets. To make this complete guide on how to microwave those frozen nuggets without making a soggy mess, I’ve tried a lot of different methods and timing schemes.
Perfect Timing for Microwaving Frozen Chicken Nuggets
The exact cooking time depends on a number of things, such as the wattage of your microwave and the number of nuggets you’re cooking. Here’s a general guideline:
- Small batch (5-10 nuggets): 1-2 minutes
- Medium batch (10-20 nuggets): 2-3 minutes
- Large batch (entire carton/27 nuggets): 3½-4½ minutes
For Banquet Chicken Nuggets specifically, the recommended microwave times are:
- Half carton: 2-2½ minutes
- Entire carton (27 nuggets): 3½-4½ minutes
Keep in mind that these times are based on using the HIGH power setting and moving the nuggets around once while they’re cooking.
Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Microwave Nuggets
Let’s walk through the process to ensure your nuggets come out as crispy as possible
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Prepare your plate – Line a microwave-safe plate with two paper towels This is crucial for preventing sogginess!
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Put the nuggets in the right order. For even cooking, put the frozen nuggets in a single layer with space between each one.
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Set your microwave – Use HIGH power setting.
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Cook in intervals – For best results, cook halfway through the recommended time, then rearrange the nuggets before finishing.
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Let them rest – Allow nuggets to stand for 1-2 minutes after cooking. This helps distribute heat evenly and firms up the exterior.
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Careful removal – The plate and nuggets will be HOT, so use oven mitts or a towel when removing from the microwave.
The Paper Towel Secret: Avoiding Soggy Nuggets
The biggest complaint about microwaved chicken nuggets is sogginess. Here’s why paper towels are your secret weapon:
When chicken nuggets heat in the microwave, moisture is released. Without paper towels, this moisture pools beneath the nuggets, turning the breading into a soggy mess. The paper towels absorb this excess moisture, allowing the nuggets to maintain some crispness.
For best results:
- Use at least two paper towels underneath the nuggets
- Consider placing another paper towel on top to absorb steam
- Never stack nuggets on top of each other
How Do Different Brands Compare?
While the cooking instructions above work for most frozen chicken nuggets, cooking times may vary slightly between brands. Here’s what I’ve found:
- Banquet Chicken Nuggets: Follow the specific times mentioned above (3½-4½ minutes for a full carton)
- Store brands: Generally need 1-2 minutes per 5-6 nuggets
- Premium brands: May cook faster due to different breading – check after 1 minute per 5 nuggets
Why Aren’t Microwaved Nuggets as Crispy as Oven-Baked?
If you’re wondering why your microwave doesn’t produce the same crispy exterior as an oven, here’s the science: Microwaves work by heating the water molecules in food. This creates steam, which gets trapped and reabsorbed into the breading. Ovens and air fryers, by contrast, use dry heat that evaporates moisture while browning the exterior.
That said, using paper towels significantly improves results by absorbing much of this excess moisture.
Enhancing Your Microwaved Chicken Nuggets
Want to make your quick nuggets even better? Try these tricks:
- Add seasoning: Sprinkle garlic powder, paprika, or grated Parmesan before microwaving
- Dipping sauces: Prepare your favorite dips while the nuggets cook
- Quick crisping: For extra crispiness, you can briefly toast the microwaved nuggets in a toaster oven for 1-2 minutes
- Complete the meal: Pair with quick sides like a salad or microwaved vegetables
Is Microwaving Frozen Chicken Nuggets Safe?
Yes! Microwaving frozen chicken nuggets is perfectly safe when done correctly. The key is ensuring they reach a safe internal temperature. Since most frozen nuggets are pre-cooked, you’re essentially reheating them.
Make sure the nuggets are heated thoroughly and steaming hot throughout. If you’re concerned, you can use a food thermometer to check that they’ve reached at least 165°F (74°C) internally.
Conventional Oven vs. Microwave: When to Use Each
While microwaving is super convenient, conventional oven preparation will give you crispier results. Here’s when to use each method:
Use the microwave when:
- You’re in a hurry (need food in under 5 minutes)
- You’re making a small portion
- Crispiness isn’t your top priority
- You’re cooking for kids who need food NOW
Use the conventional oven when:
- You have 15-20 minutes to spare
- You want maximum crispiness
- You’re cooking a large batch
- You’re serving guests
For reference, conventional oven cooking typically requires preheating to 425°F and baking nuggets for about 12 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to thaw frozen nuggets before microwaving?
No! Cook them directly from frozen for best results. Thawing first can actually make them soggier.
Can I cook different sized nuggets together?
I wouldn’t recommend it. Different sized nuggets require different cooking times, so you’ll end up with some overcooked and others undercooked.
My nuggets came out tough. What happened?
You probably overcooked them. Try reducing the cooking time by 30 seconds next time.
Can I use a microwave crisper tray?
Absolutely! These special trays are designed to help foods crisp in the microwave. If you have one, it’s perfect for chicken nuggets.
Final Thoughts
While microwaving may not give you the exact same crispiness as oven-baking, it’s a fantastic time-saving method when you need chicken nuggets in a hurry. With the paper towel technique and proper timing, you can achieve surprisingly good results.
Remember the key takeaways:
- Line your plate with paper towels
- Arrange in a single layer
- Cook on HIGH for the appropriate time
- Rearrange halfway through
- Let stand before serving
Next time you’re short on time but craving those golden nuggets, give the microwave method a try! You might be surprised by how good they can be when prepared correctly.
What’s your favorite dipping sauce for chicken nuggets? I’m partial to honey mustard myself, but BBQ sauce is a close second!
Put your frozen chicken nuggets on a paper towel first
If you take a few frozen chicken nuggets, put them on a plate, and then toss them in the microwave, your end result will probably be chicken nuggets that seem more moist or wet on the bottom than anything crispy or firm. Could it be possible to “absorb” all of this excess moisture and prevent it from soaking back into your chicken?.
A solution for this problem involves taking a few paper towels and layering them onto the plate before dumping your nuggets onto it. Put the plate into the microwave and cook the nuggets until theyre fully heated through. In the end, the chicken nuggets should have little to no moisture on them and still be somewhat firm, not white and “slimy.” The reason paper towels help to give your chicken some degree of crispiness is that the towels absorb all of that excess moisture that comes off the chicken nuggets. Instead of the moisture pooling around the bottom of the chicken nuggets and seeping into the breading, the moisture goes into the paper towels, preventing those little pools of watery breading youd find under your nuggets.
Will the chicken nuggets be as crispy as they would be in the oven or the air fryer? Not exactly. How well does the paper towel method work for making quick and tasty chicken nuggets? It works great for that.