Magic Chicken Nuggets from Homemade Live!

Plate with a pile of chicken nuggets next to a bowl of barbecue sauce — Host Joel Gamoran makes Magic Chicken Nuggets on *Homemade Live!*, Season One, Episode Three ("Cooking for Kiddos.")

Joel graduated from the University of Connecticut with a major in Restaurant Management and Communication and then pursued culinary education at the Culinary Institute of America and the Culinary Institute of Florence, Italy. After gaining experience in various restaurants, Joel discovered a passion for inspiring others to cook. He served as the National Chef at Sur La Table for a decade and appeared on NBC's Today Show, Sesame Street, and Good Morning America. His first TV show, Scraps, aired on A&E, and he published a cookbook, Cooking Scrappy. On Homemade Live!, Joel is joined by members of his family and some of his celebrity friends as they cook, laugh, and make some new homemade memories.

January 09, 2026

Host Joel Gamoran prepares Magic Chicken Nuggets on Homemade Live!, Season One, Episode Threet (“Cooking for Kiddos.”)

Serves Four

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE HOMEMADE HEALTHIER SWEET AND SOUR SAUCE:

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¼ cup honey
¼ cup ketchup
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free option)

FOR THE CHICKEN NUGGETS:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed into nugget-sized pieces
2 teaspoons salt, divided
Black pepper
2 tablespoons lemon juice
⅓ cup plus ¼ cup all-purpose flour
Oil spray (for air frying)
2½ cups corn flakes, crushed (adjust coarseness to your liking)
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon ground mushroom powder
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast

TO PREPARE

SWEET AND SOUR SAUCE

STEP ONE. In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients.

STEP TWO. Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly until well combined and slightly thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.

CHICKEN NUGGETS

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STEP THREE. Cube the chicken breasts into nugget-sized pieces (about 1 inches big). Mix the chicken with 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and lemon juice. The recipe can be held at this stage for 30 minutes to 2 hours if needed.

STEP FOUR. In a separate bowl, combine crushed cornflakes, ¼ cup flour, and ½ teaspoon salt. Adjust the coarseness of the cornflakes to your liking; some prefer a finer crumb, while others like it a bit coarse.

STEP FIVE. In a bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs, ground mushroom powder, nutritional yeast, ½ teaspoon salt, and pepper. Set aside.

STEP SIX. Arrange three bowls: ⅓ cup flour in one, the egg mixture in the second, and the cornflake mixture in the third.

STEP SEVEN. Dip each chicken nugget first into the flour, then into the egg mixture, and finally into the cornflakes mix. Make sure to coat each nugget thoroughly by pressing the cornflakes onto them.

STEP EIGHT. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Place the coated chicken nuggets on the air fryer basket in a single layer. Spray oil on the nuggets liberally, covering all surfaces. Cook at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, or until the nuggets are golden and crispy, flipping them over halfway through the cooking time.

STEP NINE. Serve your healthier air-fried chicken nuggets with the homemade sweet and sour sauce for dipping.