This baked chicken nuggets recipe gives you a healthier version of a family favorite. It’s easy and affordable, and they have a crispy, crunchy outside and a moist inside.
Table of Contents
These were a hit! 🙂
Homemade is always better, and these baked chicken nuggets are no exception. They are healthier, preservative-free, and you know exactly what’s going into them. Plus, they’re so easy to make, so you can enjoy a guilt-free version of this classic comfort food.
Love homemade comfort foods? Then you’ll want to try my recipes for homemade sloppy joes and baked mac and cheese. They’re all about taking your favorite comfort foods and making them better with simple, wholesome ingredients.
I obtained the recipe from “The Daily Record,” a newspaper serving Wayne and Holmes counties. I have no idea how old the article is – maybe 20 years? It was found in my grandmother’s collection and I was immediately attracted to its simplicity and wholesome character. There is not one ingredient that you can’t pronounce, they are baked instead of fried.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this recipe is a snap to make. It’s perfect for busy days when you want a homemade meal without the hassle.
- Healthier Option: By baking the chicken instead of frying, this recipe is a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken nuggets
- Budget-Friendly: Using boneless, skinless chicken breasts and pantry staples like flour and bread crumbs, this recipe is easy on the wallet without sacrificing flavor.
- Perfect for Dipping: The crispy exterior and tender interior of these chicken nuggets are ideal for dipping in your favorite sauces. It’s a fun and versatile meal that’s sure to please.
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Key Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of our breading, it helps to coat the chicken and gives it a nice, crispy texture when baked.
- Onion Powder: It adds a savory, slightly sweet flavor to the breading, complementing the chicken beautifully.
- Garlic Powder: It gives the breading a delicious, aromatic flavor, and it pairs perfectly with the other seasonings.
- Sea Salt and Black Pepper: These two ingredients add a perfect amount of seasoning to the chicken, enhancing its natural flavor.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast: This is the star of the show, the main ingredient for our chicken nuggets. Make sure to cut them into bite-sized pieces for the perfect nugget size.
- Milk: It’ll help make the chicken breast tender and also serve as the liquid ingredient in our recipe.
- Whole Wheat Panko Bread Crumbs: They give the chicken nuggets a crunchy coating when baked, and using whole wheat panko adds a classic brown color.
Equipment
- Medium Bowl – You’ll need this to mix the flour, onion powder, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper for coating the chicken.
- Large Baking Sheet – This is where you’ll lay out the chicken nuggets to bake in the oven.
How to Make Baked Chicken Nuggets
Preparation
To start, preheat your oven to 400˚ F. This will make sure that it’s nice and hot when you’re ready to bake your chicken nuggets. Then, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This will prevent the nuggets from sticking to the pan.
Step 1 – Prepare the Chicken
Begin by cutting your chicken into 1 ½ inch pieces. This is the perfect size for chicken nuggets and will ensure that they cook evenly.
Step 2 – Prepare the Coating
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, onion powder, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper. This will be the first layer of coating for your chicken nuggets.
Step 3 – Set Up Your Assembly Line
Next, set up an assembly line for coating your chicken. Bowl one will have the flour and spice mixture, bowl two will have milk, and bowl three will have panko breadcrumbs. This will make the coating process quick and easy.
Step 4 – Coat the Chicken
Now, it’s time to coat the chicken. First, toss the chicken pieces in the flour and spice mixture. Then, dip them in the milk, and finally, roll them in the panko breadcrumbs. This will give your chicken nuggets a crispy, flavorful coating.
Step 5 – Bake the Chicken Nuggets
Once your chicken nuggets are coated, lay them out evenly on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Spray the nuggets with a thin coating of cooking spray, preferably olive oil. This will help them crisp up in the oven. Then, bake the nuggets in your preheated oven for 20 – 25 minutes, or until they are thoroughly cooked.
Step 6 – Serve
Once your chicken nuggets are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Then, serve them with your favorite dipping sauce!
Expert Tip
To ensure your baked chicken nuggets come out crispy and golden brown, make sure your oven is fully preheated before baking.
Recipe Variations
- Whole Wheat Panko: If you want your chicken nuggets to have a golden, crispy coating, use whole wheat panko breadcrumbs. This will give your nuggets a nice brown color, similar to the fried version.
- Spices: Feel free to play around with the spices in the flour mixture. Add some paprika for a smoky flavor, or a dash of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
- Gluten-Free: If you’re gluten intolerant, you can easily make this recipe with a gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free panko bread crumbs. They’ll turn out just as delicious.
What to Serve With
- For a classic, kid-friendly meal, serve these baked chicken nuggets with a side of crispy, golden french fries and a small dish of ketchup for dipping.
- You can also serve them with your favorite dipping sauce. Honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or even a homemade ranch dressing all go great with these baked chicken nuggets.
- If you’re in the mood for a healthier option, pair these nuggets with a fresh, crunchy salad. The cool, crisp vegetables are a perfect contrast to the warm, savory nuggets.
Make Ahead Instructions
I prefer them fresh, but if you need to make them ahead of time this is what I would do. You can make these chicken nuggets ahead of time. Once cool keep in the refrigerator for up to three days. When ready to serve, warm up in the oven to maintain their crispyness.
Recipe FAQs
These baked chicken nuggets are healthier than the ones from a fast-food restaurant because they are not deep-fried. They are coated in a small amount of whole wheat panko breadcrumbs and then baked in the oven, which gives them a crispy texture without the need for a lot of oil.
Yes, you can. If you don’t have chicken breast on hand, you can use chicken thigh meat. Just make sure to cut it into similar-sized pieces so that they cook evenly.
The chicken nuggets are done when they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. You can also check for doneness by cutting into one of the larger pieces – the meat should be white all the way through, with no traces of pink.
Storing and Reheating
- Storing: You can store any leftover chicken nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: These nuggets freeze really well. After they have cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Thaw: If you’ve frozen your nuggets, let them thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: To reheat the nuggets, preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the nuggets on a baking sheet and heat them for about 10-15 minutes or until they’re warmed through.
More Chicken Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Serving Size
- What to Expect: This chicken nugget recipe yields about 40 baked nuggets.
- How to Scale: If you’re planning to make more than 40 nuggets, you can easily double the recipe. Just make sure to use a larger baking sheet to accommodate the increased quantity of chicken nuggets. Follow the rest of the instructions as directed, and keep an eye on the cooking time as it may be slightly longer with a larger batch.
Baked Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 1 ½ inch pieces.
- ¼ Cup milk
- ½ Cup panko bread crumbs preferably whole wheat for brown color
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400˚ F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut up your chicken into 1 ½ inch pieces.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, onion powder, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper
- Set yourself up an assembly line. Bowl one has the flour/spice mixture, bowl two has ¼ cups of milk, and bowl three has the panko bread crumbs. Toss the chicken in the flour/spice mixture, followed by the milk, and lastly, roll it into the bread crumbs. Lay it evenly on the papered baking sheet.
- Spray the nuggets with a thin coating of cooking spray, preferably olive oil
- Bake in your preheated oven for 20 – 25 minutes or until thoroughly cooked. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce!
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally shared in 2015. The details have been updated but the recipe remains the same.
These were a hit! 🙂
Awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed them. 🙂