15 Chicken Nugget Recipes for Grown-Up Taste Buds

Dana Raidt
Apr 20, 2015

There’s just something about little pieces of chicken that appeal to kids of all ages. Like wings and tenders, they’re crispy, savory and comforting, and their size makes them a perfect vehicle for hot sauce and dips (OMG the dips!). It’s enough to make us want to order off the kids’ menu well into adulthood. Satisfy your nugget cravings with these 15 homemade recipes and you may never feel the need to hit the drive-thru again.

1. Baked Honey Garlic Chicken: Sweet, garlicky, spicy — what’s not to love here? (via Jo Cooks)

2. Crispy Chicken Nuggets With Pickled Yogurt Dipping Sauce: These nuggets aren’t just grown-up, they’re downright sophisticated. (via A Tasty Love Story)

3. Pretzel-Crusted Chicken Nuggets: For those who require a healthy dose of crunch in their nuggets, this one’s for you. (via Give Me Some Oven)

4. Korean Chicken Nuggets: Korean BBQ fans, rejoice! You can now get all that spicy goodness in nugget form. (via Spoon Fork Bacon)

5. Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets: Nashville-style chicken gets the nugget treatment, complete with the traditional slice of white bread and pile o’ pickles. (via Creole Contessa)

6. Chicken Parmesan Nuggets: Mozz sticks meet chicken nuggets. Appetizer worlds collide. Just be sure to add marinara. (via No Recipes)

7. Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets With Orange Sauce: If sweet-and-sour chicken is your jam, you’re in luck. This sauce has actual jam (well, marmalade) in it. (via The Urban Baker)

8. Crunchy Baked Coconut Chicken Nuggets: Give your grown-up nuggets a little taste of the tropics, and a spicy Greek-yogurt-based sauce to dunk them in. (via The Well Floured Kitchen)

9. Doritos Chicken Nuggets: Because if there’s a new reason to use Doritos, we’re all for it. Especially if there’s chicken nuggets involved. (via The Black Peppercorn)

10. Chick-Fil-A Copycat Nuggets: Marinate the chicken in pickle juice (yes, pickle juice) to recreate Chick-Fil-A’s insanely addictive recipe. (via Table for Two)

11. Vegan Buffalo Bites + Bleu Cheese Dressing: Cauliflower FTW! Everyone’s favorite crucifer subs in for chicken in these meatless nuggets. (via 86 Lemons)

12. Grown-Up Chicken Nuggets With Honey-Mustard Dipping Sauce: If you usually satisfy your nugget craving at the golden arches, this homemade baked version is good enough to rival McDonald’s (and it’s healthier). (via The Food That Makes Me)

13. Chipotle Popcorn Chicken: Set aside a less-spicy batch of these addictive, chipotle-tinged bites for the kids. (via Jo Cooks)

14. Baked Chicken Nuggets With Dilly Ranch Dip: Pickle juice makes another cameo in this better-for-you recipe served with fresh, herby dill dip. (via A Farmgirl’s Dabbles)

15. Zucchini Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Nuggets: Zucchini makes it healthy, right? We’re going with “yes!” (via Half Baked Harvest)

Which recipes are you dying to try? Any amazing ones we missed? Let’s talk all things chicken nugget below!

What Happened To McDonald’s All-Day Breakfast Hours?

Remember those easy days way back when life was so simple and McDonald’s graced us with the dream of an all-day breakfast? We could eat that delicious Sausage McGriddle at any time of day (or night), and it seemed as if all our dreams had finally (finally!) come true. Well, hold onto your hats, because while McDonald’s giveth delivery, McDonalds taketh away, nixing the all-day breakfast in a move that’s crushing us to the core. Fear not though, we do have a whole post on recreating your favorite McDonald breakfast items at home!

Does McDonald's serve breakfast all day?

McDonald's

Sadly, during the start of the 2020 pandemic, due to reduced staffing and a lack of dine-in traffic, McDonald's made the decision to end their super popular all-day breakfast to "provide better speed of service" to customers. We're still sad about it, TBH.

How late does McDonald's serve breakfast?

Polina Tankilevitch / PEXELS

While opening hours vary by McDonald's location (usually 5am, with some locations open 24 hours), breakfast now ends at 10:30am on weekdays and 11:00am on weekends. Sorry for the sad news, all, regarding McDonald's breakfast hours.

McDonald's does not serve any breakfast after 11:00am. 😭

What time does McDonald's stop serving breakfast?

Image via McDonald's

McDonald's typically stops serving breakfast after 11:00am, though the exact hours might depend on where you're located.

What is on McDonald's breakfast menu?

Erik Mclean / PEXELS

Here’s what the full McDonald's breakfast menu looks like:

  • Hash Brown McMuffin
  • Egg McMuffin
  • Sausage McMuffin with Egg
  • Sausage McMuffin
  • Bacon, Egg & Smoky Gouda McMuffin
  • Egg & Jalapeño Cheddar McMuffin
  • Bacon, Egg & Jalapeño Cheddar McMuffin
  • Egg BLT McMuffin
  • Chicken McMuffin
  • Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit
  • Sausage Biscuit with Egg
  • Sausage Biscuit
  • Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddles
  • Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddles
  • Chicken McGriddle
  • Bacon, Egg & Smoky Gouda with Plain Bagel
  • Bacon, Egg & Smoky Gouda with Sesame Bagel
  • Bacon, Egg & Smoky Gouda with Everything Bagel
  • Sausage McGriddles
  • Big Breakfast
  • Big Breakfast with Hotcakes
  • Hotcakes
  • Hotcakes and Sausage
  • Sausage Burrito
  • Hash Browns
  • Plain Bagel with Butter or Cream Cheese
  • Everything Bagel with Butter or Cream Cheese
  • Sesame Bagel with Butter or Cream Cheese
  • English Muffin with Butter
  • Egg BLT Bagel
  • Fruit & Maple Oatmeal
  • Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait

Will McDonald's all-day breakfast ever come back?

Photo by Lisa Fotios / PEXELS

No official news about the comeback of McDonald's all-day breakfast has broken, but in 2020, the company tweeted that they're "evaluating" the need to bring it back. Obviously, there haven't been any new 24-hour breakfast McDonald's locations to make our all-day breakfast dreams come true.

What happened to McDonald's all-day breakfast?

McDonald's

Originally, McDonald's planned an all-day breakfast option because of failing sales across the US. They hoped that giving so many of us what we’d been asking for so long would improve the company’s bottom line. Turns out, not only has it not worked, but the chain’s sales of all-day breakfast menu items such as McDonald’s Sausage McMuffins, Egg White Delights, Sausage Biscuits, and Sausage McMuffins to name a few have decreased by almost 2% in the last few months (!).

In an interview with Buzzfeed News, CEO Steve Easterbrook said that the chain is trying to figure out how to fix sales here at home, even though around the world, the company is still doing quite well. Easterbrook says that focusing on making McDonald’s the “restaurant of the future” is a top priority (although sales are down while wait times are up). New focuses include curbside check-in, mobile ordering and advanced kiosks.

Need a new breakfast go-to now that McDonald's all-day breakfast is gone?

Polina Tankilevitch / PEXELS

With many people turning away from fast food in favor of healthier options, the comfort of knowing exactly what you’re getting at every single McDonald’s still can’t be beat — we still love the occasional hash brown after noon, so needless to say, we’re beyond bummed about the change in McDonald's breakfast hours.

Need some early morning inspiration to get over the bad news? Here are some easy breakfast meal ideas to try from home!

Still hungry for McDonald's breakfast?

I'm Hungry For That

While we can't turn back time if you've missed the cut-off, here's a list of great Mickey D copycat recipes – and we'll specifically call out this awesome McGriddle recipe from I'm Hungry For That!

Ingredients:

For the meat patties:

  • 1lb. ground breakfast sausage (or 4 pre-made sausage patties)
  • Salt and pepper

For the omelette:

  • 6 eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 4 tbsp. softened butter
  • Salt and pepper

For the pancakes:

  • 1 ¼ cups flour
  • ⅔ cup milk
  • Just under 3 tbsp. melted butter
  • 1 egg
  • 1 ½ tsp. baking powder
  • 2 tbsp. maple syrup
  • ½ tsp. salt

And to finish it off:

  • 6 slices of crispy bacon
  • 4 slices American cheese

Get the full recipe and instructions on I'm Hungry for That, and enjoy! In the meantime, RIP, McDonald's all-day breakfast. RIP.

More McDonald's Breakfast Copycat Recipes

Barley & Sage

Sourdough Bagels

Slather on all the cream cheese and jelly, or stack some scrambled eggs and sausage patties on these homemade bagels that taste so much better than the McDonald's drive-thru – plus, they'll stay good for longer! (via Barley & Sage)

Culinary Hill

Hotcakes

The best part about McDonald's breakfast is hotcakes. It's a spiritual experience to drizzle countless packets of syrup on them, before taking the sweetest, stickiest bite. Make them easily at home when you don't feel like leaving the house. (via Culinary Hill)

Feel Good Foodie

Fruit & Maple Oatmeal

Emulating McDonald's Fruit & Maple Oatmeal is super easy with a stovetop, a few ingredients, a short amount of minutes. This recipe nails it! (via Feel Good Foodie)

What’s your favorite McDonald’s breakfast item? Tell us @BritandCo!

This post has been updated.

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Hold Up, Did Rebecca Yarros' First 'Onxy Storm' Excerpt Just Tease Violet Sorrengail's True Identity?

Fans of Fourth Wing are on pins and needles because Rebecca Yarros just announced she's finished writing the third book in the Empyrean series! It's us, we're fans — along with over half of BookTok.

We can't believe we're getting closer to reading more about Violet Sorrengail's journey, but we know you have a ton of burning questions about the release date for Book No. 3.

We may not have all the answers, but we've done a little digging to share as much as we can because who doesn't want to know what Rebecca Yarros has been up to?

I'm new to the Empyrean series. Are "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame" really worth reading?

Amazon

I'm not going to lie to you. The editorial team, including myself, are extremely biased about Fourth Wingand Iron Flame. From my perspective, I think these are great books for anyone who had the pleasure of growing up during the great Harry Potter era and moved on to watchingGame of Thrones and House of Dragons.

Did she announce the name of book no. 3?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

YES! Book No. 3 is titled Oynx Storm.

Knowing what we do about the manifestation of Violet's powers, I think this could hint she's going to play an even larger role in the series. According to a fan theory shared on TikTok(via Empyrean Riders), it's believed that Violet and Xaden Riorson are actually gods. Stay with me here.

Empyrean Riders noted that Violet's last name means heavenly and that she's able to control time thanks to her connection to the young dragon Andarna (I love her so much!). That sounds pretty god-like to me.

And when asked which two Taylor Swift songs describe Onyx Storm, Rebecca Yarros chose "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" from The Tortured Poets Department and "So It Goes..." from Reputation. "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" is one of Taylor's most powerful songs and definitely translates the idea that Violet's powers are going to be stronger than ever, while "So It Goes..." is equal parts suspense and seduction, and is TOTALLY about "all the pieces fall right into place" to get together with the right person.

There's so much more to unpack so I suggest grabbing a yummy snack while you fall down the rabbit hole. All I'm sure of is that Onyx Storm is going to leave our emotions in shambles just like Fourth Wing and Iron Flame did.

When did Rebecca Yarros announce she's done writing book no. 3 in the series?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

On June 17, Rebecca Yarros shared this image of her laptop to indicate she'd finished the third book in the Empyrean series.

She wrote, "(Pic from one of the very many locations in which this book was written)," towards the end of the caption before adding a few relevant hashtags to it.

When will Onxy Storm be available for purchase?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

Rebecca Yarros exclusively told Good Morning America that fans can expect the book to hit shelves January 21, 2025! That gives us a little over six months to prepare our emotions for what's sure to be a storm of a book.

She said, "There will be politics, new adventures, old enemies and of course, dragons." There's no way she could forget the dragons because I'd willingly riot over them. They deserve to have their stories told forever.

As luck would have it, Cosmopolitan received an exciting first look at what's to come in Onyx Storm. The excerpt begins with Violet realizing the Venin have found their way into Basgiath War College and are wreaking havoc. Alongside Rhiannon, Sawyer, and Ridoc, she races to stop the Venin from releasing Jack Barlowe from his prison cell.

However, Violet's shocked when she discovered one of the "dark wielders" has a long silver braid that closely resembles her own. Before she can fully react, the woman disappears. According to Screen Rant, there are possible theories about why Violet saw her and what this means for her growing power.

Towards the end of the excerpt, Violet discovers the Venin want to capture her too. Also, Xaden makes his long-awaited appearance and it's clear their playful banter in the face of danger hasn't changed. That he hasn't fully changed into the Venin Violet's used to seeing.

I officially can't wait to read the rest of the book in January!

Has Rebecca Yarros revealed the cover for Onyx Storm?

Today/Bree Archer, Elizabeth Turner Stokes for Entangled Publishing

Onyx Storm

Yes!

TODAY received an exclusive look at the cover for Onyx Storm and it doesn't disappoint! Unlike its predecessors, it appears Rebecca Yarros is hinting that darker events will take place.

Fans of the Empyrean series aren't the only ones who are excited to see what fate has in store for our favorite characters though. In a statement to TODAY, Rebecca revealed how elated she is to be working on the series again. "It's amazing to be back with these characters again. She also said, ""I can't wait for readers to see what Violet, Xaden, and the rest of the quadrant have in store for them in Onyx Storm!"

Are you excited for the release of Onyx Storm? Follow us on Facebook for more entertainment news!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

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Get Your Pumpkin Spice Fix At Krispy Kreme, Starting Today

Pumpkin spice season has started especially early this year, courtesy of Krispy Kreme. While chains like Starbucks and Dunkin’ are rumored to drop their pumpkin-y fall menus late August, the famed donut joint kicked off fall on August 12, launching two tasty menu items to usher in the season.

Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme’s Pumpkin Spice Cake Doughnut and Pumpkin Spice Latte are available to order now. The doughnut combines a crumbly cake formula with classic pumpkin spice flavoring, and can be purchased as a single or in a dozen.

Krispy Kreme

You can also order the Pumpkin Spice Latte hot, iced, or frozen this year. It’s deliciously topped off with whipped cream and even more pumpkin spice!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (@krispykreme)

Krispy Kreme

Dave Skena, Krispy Kreme’s Global Chief Brand Officer, upped the ante for the returning menu items.

“It’s August and we’re all ready for pumpkin spice, somehow. So, we’re bringing back the classics you’re craving,” he said.

“Our fans want their Krispy Kreme Pumpkin Spice Cake Doughnut and Latte right now, and we’re here for it,” he continued. “Stay tuned though, we’re not done spicing up the season.”

Krispy Kreme

We think he’s definitely hinting at additional pumpkin spice items to join the Krispy Kreme menu, which we simply cannot wait for! Though it has yet to fully cool off outside, we’ve totally got pumpkin spice on the brain. (And, of course, everything good that comes with the season, like cozy outfits, fall reads, and Halloween costumes.)

Krispy Kreme

In 2023, Krispy Kreme launched their fall menu on August 7 with a whole slew of pumpkin-spiceddoughnuts. The Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Swirl Doughnut, Pumpkin Spice Maple Pecan Doughnut, Pumpkin Spice Original Glazed Doughnut, and Pumpkin Spice Cake Doughnut hit menus alongside two drinks, the Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Spice Coffee. We hope a few of these treats return, but we also want to see some new offerings from Krispy Kreme!

Subscribe to our newsletter for more fun future food launches!

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WHICH Movie Had Kate Winslet "Sh—ing" Herself?!

Kate Winslet is THE Hollywood actress to me. Not only has she starred in box office smashes like Titanic and Avatar: Way of Water, but she's proven her acting chops in breakout indie flicks and provided mothers and daughters everywhere with eternal Christmas movie nights thanks to The Holiday. But the actress' consistently viral kindness, her dedication to embracing her natural beauty, and her sophistication don't mean she always feels confident. Kate Winslet just spilled on the one movie from her career that had her "sh—ing" herself, and I just had to dive in.

Here's what Kate Winslet had to say about her scariest movie experience ever.

  • Kate Winslet made a name for herself with Titanic, Sense & Sensibility, and The Holiday.
  • However those movies aren't the film she wants fans to ask about!
  • The actress spills on the movies she's proud of, and the one job that had her "sh—ing myself."

Talking to Vanity Fair for her newest film Lee, Kate Winslet revealed one project she wishes fans asked about more is Iris. The 2001 film stars Kate as a young Iris Murdoch against Judi Dench's older counterpart. And for Kate, nothing was more terrifying than working with such a wonderful actress.

"People don’t really ask me about Iris. It’s such a delicate film," she says. "It was the first thing I had done after having my daughter. Going to work with a baby, I’m playing Iris Murdoch, looking to Judi Dench’s older Iris Murdoch — I was sh—ting myself."

Considering how nervous I get when I meet my heroes, I can only imagine what it was like to meet Dame Judi Dench. Talk about a dream! Another film Kate loves is Revolutionary Road, and not just because she got to reunite with Leonardo DiCaprio.

"The thing that people say is, 'You got to work with Leo again.' Then they go off on the whole Leo tangent, which I totally understand," she says of the film, which follows an ambitious couple who find themselves trapped in the reality of 1950s suburbia. "But Revolutionary Road — f—king hell, it just knocked us all sideways. Unbelievably difficult material. I was very proud of that film and what Leo and I were able to create as Frank and April. It was so brutal."

The process for getting Lee into the world sounds equally brutal, considering Kate started working on it over a decade ago. As producer, Kate tells Vanity Fair she doesn't mind the fact she's done more for the film than if she only had an acting credit. "That has felt very necessary for this film. But it’s also just really important to me," she says. "It’s important to me that people know that it’s out there and might feel compelled to go and see it."

Because it turns out, commercial success or stardom on its own doesn't actually help your movie get made! "It doesn’t matter who you are," she says. "No one’s going to go, 'Oh, I’ll just back that pony because she was in Titanic.' It doesn’t happen that way, and I never expected that. That’s really important to say."

"I've gotten older and I’ve learned more and felt more confident in myself about whether or not I could actually do it," she adds. "It’s not something I would’ve done had I not felt so passionately about the subject, and Lee was just—she wouldn’t let me go."

Let us know your favorite Kate Winslet movies in the comments, and since we've officially entered cozy season, check out Why The Holiday Movie Ending Is The Most Important Scene while you're at it!

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Here's A New Look At Florence Pugh's Return As Yelena Belova

Marvel movies are known for their heroes and their hopeful outlook on the world. But in 2025, we're getting a brand new team: the Thunderbolts. This team is made up of antiheroes and former villains, and it's sure to be the wackiest and strangest, as well as one of the most memorable, superhero movies we've seen in recent years.

Keep reading for the latest news on Thunderbolts* before it hits theaters in 2025.

Marvel Studios/YouTube

Thunderbolts* comes out this May, and the cast just showed off some brand new footage at the D23 convention — and thanks to the new 'Celebrating 85 Years' spot, we have the first look too!

We get a look at Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, John Walker, and Ghost. Plus, Yelena Belova, of course. This heartbreaking detail about Yelena's new look connects Florence Pugh's Yelena to Scarlett Johansson's Natashaand I'm WEEPING.

Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios

And at D23 Brazil, we got a brand new look at my new favorite team. "There’s something in this film, in terms of superpowers and superheroes, that shows that our superpowers lie in how ‘broken’ we are," David Harbour said at the event. "As if our superpowers came from our relationships.”

What is the plot of Thunderbolts?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Plot

Consider Thunderbolts* to be The Avengers' edgy younger sibling. The movie follows Yelena Belova (who we know off the bat is a "depressed assassin" thanks to a Marvel Studios press release). She's joined by Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, and John Walker. Based on a leak, it looks like we'll see this group of misfits team up against Valentina Allegra de Fontaine after she sends them on a deadly mission.

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Jesse Grant/Disney

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Thunderbolts* hits theaters May 2, 2025.

Who's on the Thunderbolts team?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Cast

Thunderbolts* stars Florence Pugh, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour.

This is a huge cast, and Viswanathan just revealed how crazy the first day of filming was. “My first day didn’t feel real," she tells Vanity Fair. "I felt this extra pressure of, ‘Know your lines, babe. You can’t really play around like you usually do.’"

Historically, sci-fi fans haven't been kind to actresses in their favorite projects (remember when Star Wars fans bullied Kelly Marie Tran off social media?). But Viswanathan is already thinking ahead. “If it’s overwhelming, I’ll log off. But I like discourse around pop culture,” she says. “[Thunderbolts*] felt a little bit edgier and fresher, more existential and dark.”

Jesse Grant/Disney

The rest of the cast also enjoyed working together. “Everyone is going to f—kin’ love me! It’s really, really, really fun to be with a group of actors that you have a good time with," Wyatt Russell says at Comic Con (via Variety), while David Harbour adds, “Florence Pugh [is] just electric to work with. There’s warmth and humor, but there’s also a lot of pathos.”

“This is why we can't stop laughing together, because we genuinely just had such a wonderful time with each other and we've loved working with one another," Pugh tells People. “I feel like this is something that we've never seen before from Marvel...it's a very open and honest and truthful idea. And I'm just really excited for people to watch it.”

Are you excited for this brand new chapter in the MCU? I really feel like Thunderbolts* will usher in a whole new generation of fans and I, for one, CANNOT WAIT! Let us know your thoughts on Facebook.

Lead images via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

This post has been updated.

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