*Updated 9/25/21. Looking for a kid-friendly recipe? These baked chicken nuggets are a lightened up, healthier version of your typical chicken nugget. They're baked, not fried! Made in the oven or air fryer, these are so easy and are ready in less than 30 minutes. Perfect for both kids, and adults.
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.
Bread crumbs: A mixture of both whole wheat seasoned bread crumbs (I like 4C) and panko bread crumbs. This ensures a nice, crispy texture once baked.
Parmesan Cheese: Some grated parmesan cheese gives this mixture some added flavor.
Seasoning: Paprika, salt, and pepper.
Egg: An egg mixed with a splash of water, to help the bread crumb mixture stick to the chicken.
Olive Oil: You'll need some olive oil spray to evenly spray the tops of the chicken so they get crispy and golden.
Step-by-Step Instructions
You can make these healthy homemade chicken nuggets in the oven or air fryer. Though they're crispy either way, air fryer chicken nuggets are actually a little crispier!
To Bake
- Preheat oven to 400°. Spray a large baking sheet with olive oil.
- In a bowl, combine the bread crumbs, panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and paprika. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- In another bowl, combine the egg and water. Whisk until combined.
- Drop a few of the chicken pieces in the egg mixture. Make sure the chicken is well coated. Move those chunks of chicken to the bowl of breadcrumbs. Evenly coat. Place on baking sheet. Repeat with all the chicken pieces.
- 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.
To Air Fry
- Preheat air fryer for 5 minutes or until heated.
- In a bowl, combine the bread crumbs, panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and paprika. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- In another bowl, combine the egg and water. Whisk until combined.
- Drop a few of the chicken pieces in the egg mixture. Make sure the chicken is well coated. Move those chunks of chicken to the bowl of breadcrumbs. Evenly coat.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil. Place the prepared chicken in one layer, leaving a little space between each so they are not touching. You will likely need to do multiple batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Lightly spray the tops of the chicken pieces with olive oil.
- Air fry for 7-8 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and cooked through.
Serving Suggestions
These baked chicken nuggets are best served right away, either as-is or with your favorite dipping sauces.
Here are some recommendations for sauces to dip them in:
- ketchup
- honey mustard
- garlic aioli
- bbq sauce
- marinara
To store, refrigerate for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
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Baked Chicken Nuggets
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Looking for a kid-friendly recipe? These baked chicken nuggets are a lightened up, healthier version of your typical chicken nugget. They're baked, not fried! Made in the oven or air fryer, these are so easy and ready in less than 30 minutes. Perfect for both kids, and adults!
Ingredients
- 1 pound skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
- ¼ cup whole wheat seasoned bread crumbs (I like 4C)
- ¼ cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- sea salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- olive oil spray
Instructions
To Bake
- Preheat oven to 400°. Spray a large baking sheet with olive oil.
- In a bowl, combine the bread crumbs, panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and paprika. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- In another bowl, combine the egg and water. Whisk until combined.
- Drop a few of the chicken pieces in the egg mixture. Make sure the chicken is well coated. Move those chunks of chicken to the bowl of bread crumbs. Evenly coat. Place on baking sheet. Repeat with all the chicken pieces.
- 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.
To Air Fry
- Preheat air fryer to 400° for 5 minutes or until heated.
- In a bowl, combine the bread crumbs, panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and paprika. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- In another bowl, combine the egg and water. Whisk until combined.
- Drop a few of the chicken pieces in the egg mixture. Make sure the chicken is well coated. Move those chunks of chicken to the bowl of bread crumbs. Evenly coat.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil. Place the prepared chicken in one layer, leaving a little space between each so they are not touching. You will likely need to do multiple batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Lightly spray the tops of the chicken pieces with olive oil.
- Air fry for 7-8 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and cooked through.
Notes
When making these nuggets in the air fryer, you may need to make them in 2 or 3 batches. After they're all cooked, just put them all in the air fryer for about 1 minute to heat them up so they'll all be served warm.
To store, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
I made these chicken nuggets in the air fryer and they came out GREAT! I was nervous that I didn't do the dredge correctly but the instructions are spot on and turned out just like the ones in the pictures. These nuggets are crispy and delicious!
★★★★★