Chicken Nugget Recipe

These are the BEST crispy baked chicken nuggets you’ll ever make! This delicious, 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. Kid-friendly and adult approved!

I got a burn on my belly when I was pregnant thanks to these healthy baked chicken nuggets. Rewind to when I was pregnant with Sidney: I was making this exact recipe in a crop top when I bumped my 9-month belly into the HOT baking sheet. I can STILL see the scar and that’s one of the reasons why I’ll always remember making these delicious little tender bites.

Another reason I love them? Tony said they’re officially his favorite chicken nuggets. He couldn’t stop raving about them. And that’s saying a lot considering he basically lived off fast food for a few years post-college.

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The first time I tested this recipe I was blown away by just how crispy and flavorful these baked chicken nuggets were. The seasoning is based off my paleo chicken tenders (which I LOVE) but this time I was going for a version that was a little crunchier and one that could even give Chick-Fil-A a run for its money.

The results were FANTASTIC. Seriously tender. So flavorful. Crispy. Perfectly dippable. Outrageously good. ALL THE ADJECTIVES.

Not only 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:

chicken nugget recipe

The BEST Crispy Baked Chicken Nuggets

chicken nugget recipe

These are the BEST crispy baked chicken nuggets you’ll ever make! This delicious, healthy chicken nuggets recipe takes just about 30 minutes from start to finish and uses super simple ingredients like panko breadcrumbs, chicken breast and spices. Serve with honey mustard, ketchup or your favorite BBQ sauce. Kid-friendly and adult approved!

Prep: 20min

Total: 35min

Yield: 4

Serving Size: 1 serving (based on 4)

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 serving (based on 4), calories 227 kcal, Fat 4.7 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Sugar 1.6 g, Carbohydrate 19 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 29.2 g

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
  • Nonstick olive oil cooking spray
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper*
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons almond milk (or milk of choice)
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into into 1 inch cubes

Instruction:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Add panko breadcrumbs to a large baking sheet and spread out in an even layer. Spray breadcrumbs with nonstick olive oil cooking spray. Bake for 2 minutes, then stir breadcrumbs (or just give the pan a shake) and then bake for 2-3 minutes or until breadcrumbs are golden brown. Keep heat in the oven.
  3. Transfer breadcrumbs to a medium bowl. Whisk in spices: salt, black pepper, onion powder, paprika, garlic powder and cayenne pepper. Set aside.
  4. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and almond milk. Set aside.
  5. Line the large baking sheet with an oven safe wire metal rack. Spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  6. Dip each chicken cube into the egg mixture, then use a tong to grab each chicken nugget and toss into the breadcrumb mixture to completely coat with breadcrumbs. Use tongs to transfer to the wire rack, placing about 1 inch apart.
  7. Generously spray the tops of the chicken nuggets with nonstick spray. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until cooked through and temp reaches 165 degrees F with a meat thermometer. Serves 4. Serve with BBQ sauce, honey mustard, ketchup or whatever sauce you’d like!

Chicken Nuggets

chicken nugget recipe

Total: 0 25min0

Yield: 2 to 4 servings

Serving Size: 1 of 4 servings

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 of 4 servings, calories 887, Fat 49g, Saturated Fat 5g, Carbohydrate 66g, Fiber 4g, Sugar 6g, Protein 44g, Cholesterol 192mg, Sodium 689mg

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 2 chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
  • Ketchup, for serving

Instruction:

  1. In a plastic bag, mix the flour, seasoned salt and some salt and pepper. In a bowl, mix the eggs with 2 tablespoons water. In a separate bowl, add the breadcrumbs.
  2. Shake the chicken pieces in the bag to coat. In batches, dip them in the egg wash, then in the breadcrumbs.
  3. Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until a few breadcrumbs dropped in the oil start to sizzle immediately. Fry the chicken, in batches if needed, until golden brown and cooked through, a couple minutes per side. Drain on a paper towel and serve with ketchup.

Making McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets At Home | But Better

FAQ

What are the ingredients in chicken nuggets?

Ingredients: EITHER: Chicken Breast Meat (45%), Water, Vegetable Oils (Sunflower, Rapeseed), Maize Flour, Allergen Ingredient: WHEAT Flour (contains Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Starches, Allergen Ingredient: WHEAT Semolina, Breadcrumb (contains Allergen Ingredient: WHEAT), Natural Flavourings (contains …

How does Chick Fil A cook their nuggets?

We dip the chicken in a milk-and-egg wash (just like Truett’s mom taught him as a boy). Then, we bread it by hand. Finally, we pressure cook the chicken in 100%, fully refined peanut oil for a juicy flavor.

What is the filler in chicken nuggets?

Some of the most common additives, fillers, and preservatives you’ll find in many frozen chicken nuggets on the market include: Vegetable oil. Sodium aluminum phosphate. Sodium acid pyrophosphate.

How to make soggy chicken nuggets crispy?

If your chicken nuggets are soggy, it’s likely because the air fryer basket was overcrowded or the nuggets need to continue cooking. Try removing some of the nuggets so the hot air can better circulate. Additionally, continue cooking for another 5 minutes to crisp up the exterior of the nuggets.

About the author

Helen is an author and editor at helenbackcafe.com, who has a passion for writing about recipes. She loves to experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to create delicious and unique dishes.

Among all the foods, pizza holds a special place in her heart, and she loves exploring different variations and toppings to create the perfect slice. Through her writing, Helen hopes to inspire others to get creative in the kitchen and share their love for food with the world.

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