Barbecue-Battered Chicken Nuggets

            Barbecue-Battered Chicken Nuggets

2 cups buttermilk

¾ cup honey smoke barbecue sauce

¼ cup barbecue seasoning spice, divided  (McCormick’s Grill Mates)

3 lbs. skinned and boned chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 ½ cups flour

1 T salt

1 tsp pepper

Oil

1 ½ cups honey smoke barbecue sauce

Combine buttermilk, ¾ cup barbecue sauce, and 1 T barbecue seasoning in a large zip-top freezer bag; add chicken.  Seal and chill 4 hours, turning occasionally.

Remove chicken from marinade, discarding marinade.

Combine flour, salt, pepper, and remaining 3 T. barbecue seasoning in a large shallow dish.  Dredge chicken pieces in flour mixture.

Pour oil to a depth of 1 ½ inches in a deep skillet or Dutch oven; heat to 350°.

Fry chicken in batches, 5 to 6 minutes or until golden.  Drain on wire racks over paper towels.  Serve chicken with 1 ½ cups barbecue sauce.