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These Easy Chicken Nuggets not only deliver on the easy part of their name, but they’re insanely delicious too! They taste just as good (if not better) than fast food or store bought frozen nuggets and are made with simple ingredients. Kid’s go crazy for these!
Why I Love This Recipe
Homemade chicken nuggets are one of the most requested recipes I’ve received since I started creating family-friendly meals for Weelicious. While I’ve made Baked Chicken Nuggets before, I wanted to create a version that closely resembles the fast food nuggets everyone loves. And so, this recipe was born! Chicken nuggets and french fries are convenient and undeniably loved by kids, so naturally have I several recipes for each.
This homemade chicken nugget recipe is incredibly easy to make and offers the same crispy, delicious taste as fast food—but with healthier ingredients! It comes together in under 30 minutes using ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. Plus, you can make a large batch and freeze them for later, making these nuggets not only a budget-friendly recipe but also a huge time-saver when you need a quick meal.
The Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: The star of the show! We use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe, a great protein source!
- Old Fashioned Oats: Also known as rolled oats, this ingredient helps bind the chicken nuggets together. Plus, oats are high in fiber which adds some extra nutritional benefits.
- Panko breadcrumbs: Panko is what gives these nuggets that irresistible crispy, crunchy exterior!
- Grated parmesan cheese: Parmesan adds flavor to the nuggets, but if you need these to be dairy free you can omit it.
- Seasonings: Dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and kosher salt add tons of flavor to this recipe!
Variations and Substitutions
- Ground Chicken: If you don’t have a food processor, you can use ground chicken in this recipe. To do so, you’ll need to blend the oats into a finer consistency and then combine them with the ground chicken and remaining ingredients as instructed.
- Seasonings: Feel free to customize the seasonings to your taste preferences!
- Gluten Free: Use certified gluten free oats and gluten free panko to make this recipe suitable for people with gluten sensitivities.
How to Make Easy Chicken Nuggets
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the chicken chunks, oats and seasonings in a food processor until chicken is finely chopped and ingredients are combined.
Step 2: Place the bread crumbs and parmesan cheese in a shallow bowl or on a plate and stir to combine.
Step 3: With moistened hands, roll about 1 tablespoon of chicken mixture between your palms and flatten it into a nugget shape.
Step 4: Gently press nuggets into bread crumbs to evenly coat them. Place nuggets on a parchment lined baking sheet. Lightly spray nuggets with cooking spray. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden.
Recipe Tip
If you want your nuggets to be even more golden brown, place under the broiler for 2 minutes after cooking.
How to Air Fry Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Making these homemade chicken nuggets in the air fryer is super easy! Simply form the nuggets as directed, spray each one with cooking spray, and place them in your air fryer basket. Cook at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown. Since every air fryer can vary, keep an eye on your nuggets while they cook to ensure perfect results!
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How to Freeze Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Many parents keep frozen chicken nuggets on hand as a quick meal solution, but have you ever looked closely at the ingredients in your favorite brand? Are they pronounceable? Are they things you want your kids eating? I was shocked when I first checked the labels, which is why I now make extra homemade chicken nuggets to freeze. This way, I always have a batch ready for when the craving hits, and I feel good knowing exactly what’s in them!
- Before cooking, place the coated, raw nuggets on a parchment-lined baking sheet, freeze them for an hour.
- Put frozen nuggets in labeled zip-top bags and freeze for up to 4 months.
- When ready to eat, cook as directed, adding 1-2 minutes to the cooking time.
Tips and Tricks
- Use Wet Hands for Shaping: Keep your hands slightly damp while shaping the nuggets to prevent the chicken mixture from sticking to your fingers.
- Chill the Mixture: If the chicken mixture feels too soft to handle, place it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to firm up. This makes shaping the nuggets easier and helps them hold their form while cooking.
- Coat Nuggets Evenly: To get an even coating, press the nuggets gently into the breadcrumb mixture, turning them a few times. This ensures a crispy coating all over.
More Kid-Approved Chicken Recipes
Crispy on the outside, tender inside, freshly made easy chicken nuggets your kids will beg for everyday. What could be more simple, economical, nutritious and yummy than that?
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Easy Chicken Nuggets
Equipment
- Food Processor
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
- 1/4 cup old fashioned oats (also known as 5 minute oats)
- 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Place the first 6 ingredients in a food processor until chicken is finely chopped and ingredients are combined.
- Place the bread crumbs and parmesan cheese in a shallow bowl or on a plate and stir to combine.
- With moistened hands, roll 1 tablespoon of chicken mixture between your palms and flatten it into a “nugget” shape.
- Gently press nuggets into bread crumbs to evenly coat them.
- Place nuggets on parchment lined baking sheet and lightly spray nuggets with cooking spray.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden and serve. If you want your nuggets to be more golden brown, place under the broiler for 2 minutes after cooking. Air frying instructions are in the notes below!
I made the nuggets today but used the mashed potatoes you talked about in the video. I LOVE THEM !!!! I hope tiny will as well. I gave her a bite and she are them so well see at dinner time if she will continue. Thanks so much !!!!!
Wow! These are super easy and with out all of that extra stuff like msg…my kids love chicken nuggets,I’m looking forward to make it for them. Btw my sister told my about your website, she cooks a lot from your recipes.
Oh my goodness. These are good! My almost two year old loves them. I make the mashed potato version. Also, I’ve found that if you crank the oven to 450 they cook much faster and get a lot crunchier!
[…] going into your child’s food and their body. Some of my family’s favorites are: Chicken Nuggets, Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf Bites, Animal Crackers, Whole Wheat Cheddar […]
I made these without the oats and they were good. The second time I made them with the mashed potatoes and they were so incredibly soft and moist. Thank you for the recipe.
I boil 1/4 head of cauliflower in vegetable stock, blend and add to this recipe. They are always moist even when hubby clearly OVER cooks them. Plus the flavour from the veg stock reduces the need for more seasoning, although I do add parmesan to the chicken mixture as well. 🙂 Or you could try the mashed potato idea. Would work same to keep them moist. I just use the cauliflower to add nutrition as my little guy only eats a few veggies.
We just made these for the first time! My kids are loving them. Im on the fence. I think i over cooked just a tad, as they are dry. but they are also a little bland. i think next time ill double up on seasonings. 🙂
They freeze great! I try to not keep things frozen for more than 4 months!
Do these come out ok if frozen and reheated? If so, how long would you recommend they be kept frozen?
Well you’re going to be mixer everything together anyway and then cooking it so you’re not contaminating anything. Her fear might be related to the food processor itself becoming contaminated with stuck-on raw chicken. Make sure to wash your food processor well with hot soapy water after making this recipe! Take it all apart and wash each part individually!
I want to inquire about using raw or cooked chicken in the food processor, I have a friend who cooks a great deal and she says that putting raw chicken in the food processor with other ingredients can contaminate the food? Comments? I am a novice cook even at my Grama years. 🙂
love this!!!!!! now i dont need to buy the frozen boxed nuggets. and bye bye fast food nuggets! i cant thank you enough. it’s prefect timing with my little one getting a little order.. THANK YOU
Well, I think investing in a food processor is totally worth it! http://astore.amazon.com/weelicious-20/detail/B001413A0Q For this recipe, you can buy already ground chicken, and then just mix everything together in a bowl with a spoon!
Hello! I know this is silly, but I do not have a food processor. Is it even possible to use a blender with this recipe? Or should I go buy a food processor? Is it worth it?
That’s strange:( I’ve made these a few times and they always turn out awesome. Better than McD’s in my opinion. Maybe your oven cooks hot and they need to be cooked for less time?
I was so excited to make these, wish I had looked at the comments first. These turned out really dry and hard. My 21 month rejected 🙁