Description

Chicharrones de Pollo are basically Puerto Rican-style fried chicken nuggets, but don’t you dare call them basic. These are marinated in citrus, garlic, and spices until the chicken is bursting with flavor, then fried to golden, crunchy perfection. They’re juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and taste like a vacation in a bite. Perfect for game day, weeknight dinner, or when you just wanna impress people with your frying game.

Ingredients

Main Players:
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into chunks — thighs = flavor)
4 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1 lime + juice of 1 orange (or sub all lime if needed)
2 tsp oregano
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp adobo seasoning or Sazón (optional, but authentic)
1 tsp salt + ½ tsp black pepper
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp paprika (for color and extra kick)
Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)

Instructions

Marinate the magic: Toss chicken with garlic, lime + orange juice, oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, and adobo. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, but a couple hours = maximum flavor bomb.
Coat it up: Mix flour with paprika in a large bowl. Drain chicken slightly and dredge in the flour mix until each piece is well coated and ready to party.
Fry time: Heat oil in a deep skillet (about 350°F). Fry chicken in batches, turning to get all sides golden brown and crispy — about 4–6 minutes per batch. Don’t overcrowd the pan or you’ll lose the crunch!
Drain & serve: Set chicken on a paper towel–lined plate to drain. Hit with a little salt while it’s hot — trust.
Optional but fire: Squeeze extra lime juice over the top, or serve with a garlic aioli or spicy mayo for dipping.

Switch It Up
No orange juice? Use a splash of vinegar for tang.
Toss in cayenne or chili powder for heat.
Want it extra crispy? Double-dip: flour > egg > flour again.
Air fry? You can, but it won’t be as crispy. Still tasty, though.

Notes

Pile on a plate with tostones or maduros.
Serve over rice with a side of beans.
Pair with a creamy dipping sauce or just hot sauce and lime wedges.
Great for parties — just stick toothpicks in them and go!

Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Nutrition

Calories: ~320 per serving
Protein: ~28g