Homemade Baked Chicken Nuggets

These Homemade Baked Chicken Nuggets are perfect for a quick and healthy weeknight meal. They're crispy, flavorful, and so dippable.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I'm all about healthy, fresh, and flavorful recipes that are easy to make and delicious to eat. That's why I love this recipe for homemade baked chicken nuggets! It's a healthier take on a classic comfort food that's perfect for busy weeknights when you don't have a lot of time to cook.

We have plenty more simple chicken recipes, so find your favorite!

Ingredients

• Chicken: One pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces. You'll want to cut them so they're all about the same size for even baking (about 1 ½ - 2 inches). You can substitute for chicken tenders if you prefer.
• Bread crumbs: A mixture of whole wheat seasoned bread crumbs and panko bread crumbs, I like 4C. This mixture ensures a nice, crispy texture once baked.
• Parmesan Cheese: Some grated parmesan cheese gives this chicken some added flavor.
• Seasoning: Paprika, salt, and pepper.
• Egg: An egg mixed with a splash of water, to help the breadcrumb mixture stick to the chicken.
• Olive Oil: You'll need olive oil spray to evenly spray the tops of the chicken so they get crispy and golden.

How to Make Homemade Chicken Nuggets

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a large baking sheet with olive oil.
2. Combine the bread crumbs, panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, and paprika in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
3. In another bowl, combine the egg and water. Whisk until combined.
4. Drop a few of the chicken pieces into the egg mixture. Make sure the chicken is well coated. Move those chunks of chicken to the bowl of breadcrumbs. Evenly coat. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with all the chicken pieces.
5. Spray the tops of the chicken nuggets with olive oil. Bake for 10 minutes. Turn the nuggets and bake another 4-5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.

Variations

I love trying different flavor combinations and ingredients. Here are a few variations you can try:

• Make them spicy. Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture for extra heat. Once they're baked, you can even toss them in buffalo sauce.
• Toss them with BBQ sauce. When flipping the nuggets after 10 minutes, brush them with BBQ sauce, then bake for an additional 5-7 minutes for a smoky and tangy flavor.
• Make them extra crispy in the air fryer. You can air fry them at 400°F for 7-8 minutes, flipping halfway. They get super crispy in the air fryer.
• Add some lemon zest and black pepper to the breadcrumb mixture. This will give it a lemon pepper flavor that you won't be able to resist.

Serving Suggestions

These homemade baked chicken nuggets are great as a snack or appetizer, but they also make a delicious and healthy meal. Serve them with a side of oven-roasted sweet potato fries, a colorful salad, or your favorite veggies.

You can also serve them with your favorite dipping sauces, like honey mustard, ranch dressing, or ketchup.

More Chicken Recipes

• Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken
• Baked Cornflake Chicken Tenders
• Honey Garlic Lemon Chicken
• Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders

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