Chicken
Chicken (duh):
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
For the dry brine:
3 tablespoons fine sea salt
1 tablespoon MSG
1 tablespoon white sugar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
For the milk wash:
1 egg
1 tablespoon whole milk
For the frying:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon fine sea salt
2 1/2 teaspoons MSG
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
Refined peanut oil or vegetable oil
For dipping:
2 tablespoons honey BBQ sauce
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Combine all of the dry-brine ingredients to together in one bowl with a whisk. Sprinkle one tablespoon plus one teaspoon (which is four teaspoons) of the seasoning over the nuggets, give them a toss to make sure they’re evenly coated, and let them hang out for 15 minutes on a wire rack set over a plate. While the nuggets are brining, mix the egg wash and the coating, and set up a breading station.
Once 15 minutes has elapsed, blot the excess moisture off of the chicken, then dip the nuggets in the milk and egg wash before tossing them in the flour mixture. Pour enough oil into a Dutch oven (or some other high-walled frying vessel) so that it comes up about three inches, but still has three or so inches of space until it reaches the top of the vessel. (This will keep the oil from spilling over when you add the nuggets.) Heat the oil to 370℉ and, while you’re waiting for it to heat up, give the nuggets another toss in the flour mixture.
Once the oil reaches its target temperature, give the nugs one more toss in the flour, then gently lower them into the hot oil, working in batches if needed. Let them cook for 3-5 minutes, until they are a nice golden brown. Fish ‘em out with a slotted spoon or spider, and let them cool on paper towels. Mix the final four ingredients to make a dipping sauce, fry or bake up some frozen waffle fries, and enjoy your delicious chicken nuggets, preferably with a lemonade or Diet Dr. Pepper.