Pickle-Brined Chicken Nuggets

Directions

1. To make the brine, combine the pickle juice and brown sugar in a bowl, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.
2. To make the nuggets, cut the chicken into 1 1/2–inch cubes, place in a bowl and cover with the brine solution. Put the bowl in the fridge for 2–4 hours. Remove the chicken pieces from the brine and roughly dry with paper towels.
3. Prepare your ‘crumbing’ station with three bowls. In the first bowl, put the flour, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, pepper and salt. In the second, put the two eggs and whisk to combine. In the third, put the corn flake crumbs and paprika.
4. Pour the vegetable oil into a deep-sided skillet and place over medium–high heat. Allow the oil to reach 365º F.
5. While the oil is heating, take the chicken pieces and roll them first in the flour mixture, then in the egg wash, and finally coat well in the crumb mixture. Place on a large plate. Repeat until all the pieces have been coated.
6. Add the chicken to the oil in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 4 minutes on each side, then remove and place on paper towels to drain. Allow the oil to come back up to temperature between each batch. Let the nuggets cool slightly before serving.