We have all heard the fable about the hen that laid the golden egg, but what about the Chicken made into golden chicken nuggets?

Well, today, we will explore these golden treats that are adored everywhere and are a popular craze amongst children everywhere - an obsession that stays with us throughout adulthood (don’t deny it).  

Chicken dippers are enjoyed by everyone in their various forms, so today we look at their backstory to gain a little insight into how they rose to fame. 

So, strap yourselves in and sit on your hands because this blog includes a recipe that will have you reaching for the cupboard in no time. 

The backstory  

Chicken dippers can be traced back to the 1950s when a food scientist named Robert C. Baker developed a method for breading and frying small pieces of chicken meat. His creation was initially known as "chicken sticks" and was served at Cornell University where Baker worked. 

The popularity of these bite-sized chicken pieces quickly spread beyond the university campus and paved the way for what we now know as chicken nuggets.

Fast forward to the 1980s when fast-food giants like McDonald's and Burger King introduced chicken nuggets and dippers to their menus. These crispy treats became an instant hit with customers due to their convenience, affordability, and addictive taste. Soon enough, other fast-food chains followed suit, making chicken nuggets ubiquitous on kids' meal menus worldwide

A convenient treat  

Chicken dippers are not just available in fast food chains; now you can buy ready-made frozen options from your local supermarket, which come in various novelty shapes like dinosaurs, nuggets or long dippers.  

They are great for kids because they require no preparation, they are fast to cook and easy to eat, even for young kids because they have no bones. They are a great source of protein and better than the deep-fried version found in fast food outlets.  

Aside from being a convenient and tasty option for busy parents, chicken dippers are often associated with childhood memories of family meals or trips to fast-food restaurants with friends.  

Many adults today fondly recall dunking their dippers into ketchup or barbecue sauce as kids, creating lasting memories.  

Fun to eat 

Chicken dippers and their cousins the nuggets, are fun to eat. You can eat them with your hands without getting super messy. Dunking them into your favourite sauce feels like a flavoursome ritual. They are the perfect food for finger buffets and parties because they are small and numerous and everyone loves them.  

Although we wouldn’t recommend it, they are also perfect for a food fight (you didn’t hear it from us). 

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A healthy alternative

Chicken dippers aren’t all that bad, but no one can deny that the regular options you buy from fast food diners and supermarkets are heavily processed, making them less desirable than a natural home-cooked meal. That’s why we are sharing our very own homemade recipe using the finest organic chicken.  

While it will take a little longer to prepare, it will be worth it. The flavours you encounter will be bursting off the plate.

Our recipe

Ingredients 

  • 400g of our finest organic chicken breast fillets, chicken cubes to save time (for nuggets), or chicken strips for dippers. 
  • 4 tbsp plain flour 
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten  
  • 115g panko breadcrumbs or other dried breadcrumbs 
  • 2 tbsp vegetable or sunflower oil 

    • Method 

    1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and place the pieces between two layers of baking paper. Use a rolling pin to gently flatten the pieces until they are around 2-3mm thick and uniform.
    1. Tip the flour onto a plate and mix it with a pinch of salt. Put the beaten egg in a bowl, and tip the breadcrumbs into another bowl. For the air fryer method, lightly oil a large baking tray.
    1. Dip each chicken piece in the flour, then into the egg (shaking off the excess), and finally toss into the breadcrumbs. Transfer the coated chicken pieces to a lightly oiled baking tray for the oven method or the air fryer basket for the air fryer method. Breadcrumbing using one hand is less messy.
    1. If you're using the oven, not pan-frying, preheat it to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Bake the nuggets for 10-15 mins, turning them halfway through. If you're using the air-fryer, preheat it to 200C for 4 mins. Brush the chicken pieces on both sides with oil. Cook the nuggets in batches in the air-fryer basket for 5 minutes per batch until they are golden and crunchy. Shake the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
    1. Serve the chicken nuggets with your favourite dipping sauce. Popular options include tomato, BBQ, sweet and sour, sweet chilli or mayonnaise.
     

    Final Thoughts 

    For many, the mere mention of chicken dippers or nuggets transports them back to childhood. The iconic McDonald’sMcDonald’s advertisements with chicken nuggets jumping out of aeroplanes and landing in sauce pods were enough to get us hooked for life.  

    As the older generation and parents, we are duty-bound to pass this awesomely fun tradition to the next generation of kids, only we should make it healthier.  

    Halal Origins provides the finest organic meat free of all the nasties you typically find in processed foods. With our delightful recipe, you have everything you need to make this delicious and nostalgic treat into a hearty and healthy meal. . 

    If your order before 3 pm today, you can be enjoying your organic chickenorganic chicken nuggets in time for dinner tomorrow.

    Enjoy!