These are the BEST crispy baked chicken nuggets you’ll ever make! This deliciously tender and perfectly crisp, healthy chicken nuggets recipe takes just about 30 minutes from start to finish and uses simple ingredients like panko breadcrumbs, chicken breast and spices. Serve with honey mustard, ketchup or your favorite BBQ sauce.
Homemade Chicken Nuggets are one of my kid’s favorite things I make!
These Chicken Nuggets made with simple ingredients! Plus these crispy nuggets are oven baked instead of fried so they’re a healthier option, both kids and adults alike will love them!
WHAT IS CHICKEN NUGGETS?
A chicken nugget is a chicken product made from chicken meat that is breaded or battered, then deep-fried or baked.
Chicken Nuggets are a favorite American snack, and they are surprisingly easy to make. In fact, they may end up being one of your new favorite dinner recipes. Homemade Chicken Nuggets are much easier to make than you think and are better for you than your traditional fast food. All you have to do to cook them up is assemble the ingredients, dredge your skinless chicken breasts, and bake them up in oven.
WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED?
Not only is is this healthy baked chicken nuggets recipe quick to make, dairy free, perfectly spiced and requires minimal ingredients that you might even have in your kitchen right now! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Olive oil
- Panko Bread Crumbs
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Italian Seasoning
- Eggs
- Chicken breast
- Dipping sauces: honey mustard (try the homemade one in the blog!), ketchup or your favorite BBQ sauce for dipping!
HOW DO YOU MAKE CHICKEN NUGGETS?
It takes 3 simple steps to make these delicious homemade nuggets, fresh from the oven!
Prepare the seasoned panko mixture .
Dredge chicken in egg and then into the panko mixture. Place on a parchment lined pan and spray with cooking spray or olive oil spray.
Bake until golden and crisp!
Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
The secret to crispy baked chicken nuggets in the oven:
Make sure your breadcrumbs are toasted. This is essential for making crispy baked chicken nuggets. You’ll just need to toast the breadcrumbs in the oven for 5 minutes or so before tossing them with the spices and then the chicken. This is a crucial step for getting that deliciously crispy texture on the outside that tastes even better than the fried version.
CAN I USE TRADITIONAL BREAD CRUMBS?
For best results stick with panko bread crumbs, you’ll get the crispiest end result with them.
CAN I FRY THESE CHICKEN NUGGETS?
Yes. It should work well to fry these in a large skillet with about 1/2 cup of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
CAN I ADD PARMESAN?
Yes. For one more layer of flavor you can try replacing 1/2 cup bread crumbs with grated parmesan, add after you’ve toasted bread crumbs and cooled slightly.
SERVE SUGGESTIONS:
I love to serve these Homemade Chicken Nuggets with Ketchup or Honey Mustard Sauce or Yum Yum Sauce.
HOW TO FREEZE CHICKEN NUGGETS?
These are perfect for storing and last in the freezer for a good amount of time.
You can bread the chicken strips and place in the baking sheet until frozen solid. And then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for 2 months.
Taking out chicken nuggets when needed and bake in the oven for 20 minutes at 425F.
HOW TO STORE LEFTOVERS?
If you happen to have leftover chicken strips, you can store them for future use.
Refrigerator: Once they are cooled completely, place in a ziplock bag and store in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days long. It is best to warm up in the oven but the microwave will do too.
Freeze: After they are cooled place on a sheet pan in a freezer for about 20 to 30 minutes. Once frozen, place in a ziplock bag or freezer bag and store in the freezer for 3 months. Taking out chicken when needed and reheat in the oven or microwave.
CRISPY BAKED CHICKEN NUGGETS RECIPE:
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp salt, divided
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp italian seasoning
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 cups plain panko breadcrumbs
DIRECTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 425 F.
- Pour panko into a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and toss with fingertips to evenly moisten. Spread into an even layer (wiggle baking sheet to level as needed).
- Bake in preheated oven 3 – 5 minutes until slightly toasted and golden brown (toss once halfway if needed, for even toasting).
- Remove from oven and add paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and season with salt to taste. Toss mixture well with a spatula.
- In a another bowl, whisk together eggs with salt and pepper until well blended.
- Working with one chicken nuggets at a time, dredge both sides well to eggs coat both sides.
- Transfer to bread mixture and press well, flip and coat both sides. Repeat process with remaining chicken.
- Spray each piece lightly with olive oil or cooking spray. Bake in preheated for about 15 – 20 minutes.
- Allow to cool for few minutes (coating will crisp it up even more as it rests a few minutes), season with more salt if needed, serve warm with a dipping sauce.
RECIPE NOTES:
- Ensure your chicken is cleaned and dabbed dry before starting.
- Cook at a high temperature (425°F) for crispy nuggets
- Spray with cooking spray or olive oil before baking.
- Feel free to use a gluten free panko breadcrumb if you can find them. Panko breadcrumbs are essential to the perfect crispy chicken nugget!
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