These Baked Chicken Nuggets are a major kid pleaser!
When I was little and my Mother couldn’t deal with making us dinner, we would head to McDonald’s. I was never a burger girl. No, I loved chicken nuggets with all the sticky, sugary sauces.
When I think about all the artificial fillers that go into them and how many boxes I ate over the years, it makes me want to gag. I still love chicken nuggets, and didn’t want to deprive my kids of the pleasure of them, but I wanted to make a healthier version that everyone in our family would love.
I had a ton of fun testing this to find the perfect easy Baked Chicken Nuggets recipe. I wanted them to have tons of flavor without being fried or packed with salt. If you’re looking for even more nugget inspiration you have to try Easy Chicken Nuggets.
By buying organic, free range chicken, you’re making a gourmet nugget for the family. My husband is my most honest tester. When I tell you he scarfed these up at dinner last night, I could only smile to myself in delight. Between him and the kids, they disappeared immediately. The best part of this recipe is that you can make them, freeze and pull out a few when you want to bake them. You’ll never have the need to go out for chicken nuggets ever again!
Baked Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup panko crumbs, white or wheat
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
- cooking oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F degrees.
- Beat the egg in a shallow bowl.
- Place the panko, garlic powder, herbs and salt in a separate shallow bowl and stir to combine.
- Dip the chicken chunks in the egg and then in the breadcrumbs. Keep one hand clean for rolling in the breadcrumbs. Make sure the chicken chunks are completely covered.
- Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Spray each piece with oil.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes.
- To Freeze: For best results, bread nuggets, place on a cookie sheet and freeze for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, place par-frozen nuggets in a ziploc bag and freeze up to 4 months. When ready, continue from step 5 adding at least 5 minutes cooking time.
Made this today and they turned out great and delicious! My 3 1/2 y.o. loved them!! Thank you!
I kniw this is an older post, but IjJust tried these last night for myself and 2yo. Delicious! I used some multigrain bread since I didn’t have breadcrumbs/panko. I had this exact idea in mind of what I wanted, but I’m not really an experimenter and get hung up on details (how long to cook, what kind of seasonings, etc). So thank you for doing all the testing, writing & sharing! Definitely a keeper.
Hmmm maybe fully cook them then freeze them. When ready to eat let them thaw completely in the fridge and then quickly reheat.
Is there a way to fully cook these and then bring out of the freezer for a quick microwave to heat up? I’d like to make them and use them instead of the process precooked ones you can buy for quick meals, but want to do it so that I don’t dry them out or overcook them. What is the best way?
My daughter and husband loved these! I don’t eat meat and want her to be able to try chicken nuggets without all the extra gross stuff they put into them! I love love your website. Thanks for sharing these amazing recipes!
[…] week? Twice? If your kid really loves them, I’d wager it might be even more than that. I get it. Chicken nuggets are convenient and kids will eat them. But what ingredients make up your favorite brand? Are they […]
[…] Twice? If your kid really loves them, I’d wager it might be even more than that. I get it. Chicken nuggets are convenient and kids will eat them. But what ingredients make up your favorite brand? Are they […]
Hey! I am just trying these nuggets tonight! Mine just never seem to turn out like the picture (meaning, as dark). I don’t want to overcook them, but I am just wondering if you have any ideas why they aren’t as dark or crunchy?
Love your site!!
I was thinking about making these for a new mom who just gave birth. She has 2 other kids and specifically asked for kid friendly meals. Can you suggest what to make with them to create a whole meal?
Thanks!
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Just made them. Absolutly delicious and juicy!
We just made these for dinner and they are so tasty!! My question is … the meat is done, but the breading didn’t get ask crisp looking as your picture. Is there anything I can do to make it crisp a little better? Thank you!
Making these for the second time in 4 days… Didn’t make enough the first time! I had to shoo the grown-ups out of the kitchen so they didn’t eat them all before the kids got to them!
I love this recipe!
Zucchini Coins are best frozen before baking. Also, with the chicken, you can freeze them after baking if you are unsure and pop them back in the oven when you are ready to eat them!
Can you freeze these before baking? I’m a little unsure about freezing the raw chicken and raw egg? Also, with the zucchini coins, is it best to freeze them before baking?
Have you ever frozen these? I am looking for a healthy chicken nugget recipe that can be cooked and frozen, and then brought out for a quick lunch as a better alternative to the frozen boxed kind.
Also just wanted to add I LOVE your website!! I’ve tried many recipes and they have all been great!
Thanks
Really? They are supposed to moist and juicy. You may have over cooked them. How long did you cook them for?
I made these for my daughter and they came out really dry. Could I soak the nuggets in stock before and then batter?
Thanks
OMG these are so good
These sound absolutely perfect! I bet they freeze up nice for quick dinners later too.
Thanks Catherine! Definitely making the wee nuggets-this will keep us away from the drive thru 🙂