Baked Chicken Nuggets

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Baked Chicken Nuggets – perfectly crunchy and full of flavor.  These chicken nuggets are baked in the oven in just 15 minutes.  These chicken nuggets are made with panko bread crumbs and are perfect for lunch or dinner.

There’s just something about a chicken nugget that everyone loves.  I have three teenage kids and on those rare times we go to a fast food restaurant, at least one of them will order nuggets.  I don’t know what it is – the small size, the fact you can dunk ’em, or the crunchy coating.

These baked chicken nuggets are 100 times better than those fast food kind.  They are quick, easy, crunchy, and oh so yummy!  And as I always say, there’s nothing better than knowing what’s in your food.

I used boneless chicken breasts for these nuggets.  Boneless chicken thighs would also work.  Consistent size, especially thickness really matters.  If you have some really thin ones and some really thick ones, they will not cook at the same time.  The thin ones will become overcooked and dry.

My goal when making these was to make them quick, tasty, and healthy.  I can get these on the table in 30 minutes and my kids love them (so do I!)

To make these, you need to toast the bread crumbs  first.  I just use a sauté pan and place  the panko bread crumbs into the pan and dry toast them over low heat.  Don’t be tempted to skip this step. It’s really the key to making these nuggets golden brown.

Tips for making chicken nuggets

• Brown bread crumbs first
• Bake on a greased baking rack
• Keep chicken pieces uniform in size

These baked chicken nuggets are definitely a winner in our house and this recipe will be used again and again.  These are great dipped in barbecue sauce, a spicy red chili sauce or jalapeno apricot sauce.

We like to dip these nuggets in homemade barbecue sauce or sweet and spicy mustard.

Other delicious Chicken Recipes:

• White Chicken Chili
• Orange Chicken
• Chicken Pot Pie
• Zucchini and Ricotta Stuffed Chicken Breasts
• Chicken Soup with Pasta
• Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
• Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Bake
• Oriental Chicken Salad
• Chicken Tenders

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Baked Chicken Nuggets

Kathy

Healthier Chicken Nuggets

5 from 5 votes

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Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Total Time 35 mins

Course Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 people

Calories 307 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 Chicken breasts (cut into bite sized pieces)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 Cups Panko bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 Tablespoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 3/4 cup flour
• 2 whole eggs (lightly beaten)

Instructions

 

• Sprinkle chicken lightly with 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Toast panko bread crumbs in a nonstick skillet over low heat.
• In a large, shallow dish mix panko,remaining  salt, pepper, onion powder, parsley and paprika.
• Put flour in another shallow dish.
• Set up a a baking sheet with a baking rack on top. Lightly spray baking rack with a non-stick spray.
• Working with each piece of chicken, one at a time, dredge chicken into flour, dip into egg, and then into panko mixture.
• Place on baking rack.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 12 minutes. Test one piece to ensure it is cooked through. If not fully cooked, place back in oven for 3- 5 additional minutes.
• Do not overcook or the chicken will be dry.

Notes

You can use boneless chicken thighs instead of breasts.
Cut chicken into similar sized pieces.
Toast bread crumbs to achieve a golden color. Don't skip this step or your nuggets will look uncooked after the 10 minutes in the oven.
Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 307kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 29gFat: 4gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 1171mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 155IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 56mgIron: 2.8mg

Keyword baked chicken nuggets, chicken nuggets, homemade chicken nuggets

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and let me know what you think.