McDonald's fans who can't get enough of Chicken McNuggets have found a close supermarket alternative, thanks to a former corporate chef for the chain. Mike Haracz shared his recommendation on TikTok after comparing McDonald's ingredients and nutritional information with products available in shops.
He explained that finding a close match wasn't easy because McDonald's combines different components in its ingredient lists, making direct comparisons more difficult. After weighing up the options, he recommended Pilgrim's tempura chicken nuggets for anyone hoping to recreate the fast-food favourite at home.
Where to buy the nuggets
While Pilgrim's products are available to buy online in the UK, finding them in supermarkets might be trickier. However, Pilgrim's Europe owns Moy Park, whose chicken nuggets are said to offer a similar taste and texture. UK shoppers can find Moy Park's crispy breaded chicken nuggets at Asda, priced between £3 and £5.
In his TikTok video, Mike explained how he researched the alternatives, saying: "With all the [options], I had to go on the McDonald's website, look at their ingredient and nutritional information, compare it to a bunch of other retail options." He added: "So what you want to do is look for a tempura style chicken McNuggets."
Why you shouldn't microwave them
While Mike shared his recommendation, he also issued a warning about how to prepare the nuggets. Unlike some varieties that are already cooked and simply need reheating, Pilgrim's tempura chicken nuggets contain raw chicken, meaning they must be cooked thoroughly before eating.
Mike advised against microwaving them, explaining that the tempura batter would not turn out as well. He said: "You're going to want to at least air fry, but you're probably going to want to deep fry." He also highlighted the difference between these nuggets and some children's dinosaur-shaped varieties, which are often pre-cooked and only need reheating according to the packet instructions.
As Pilgrim's tempura nuggets contain raw chicken, shoppers should always follow the cooking instructions on the packaging to ensure they are safe to eat.
Fan reactions
Commenting on his video, one user said: "We can finally have McDonald's at home." Another user added: "I really miss dark meat McNuggets of the 90s." A third user said: "I felt the shade being thrown at me, as an almost 29 year old man, I like my dino nuggets. The breading on them are better than regular nuggets."
