Baked Chicken Nuggets Recipe
These extra crispy Baked Chicken Nuggets are baked in the oven and made with simple, healthy ingredients like panko breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, chicken breast, and spices.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup regular breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 large eggs whisked
- ¾ cup parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Set a large wire rack over a large rimmed baking sheet and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Grab a second, large rimmed baking sheet. Add the panko breadcrumbs and regular breadcrumbs to the baking sheet and carefully mix to combine. Spread in an even layer (tap or wiggle the baking sheet if needed to help smooth out the surface). Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 3 minutes, or until golden and toasted.
- Remove from the oven and add the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix to combine then set aside to cool.
- Meanwhile, if you haven't done so already, chop your chicken breasts into cubes approximately 1-inch thick.
- In a medium bowl whisk together the eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Once the toasted breadcrumbs have cooled, mix in the grated parmesan cheese.
- Dip approximately half of the chicken pieces into the egg, then transfer the chicken pieces to the panko mixture, removing as much excess egg as possible. Gently toss to coat so that the entire surface and sides of the chicken are covered in the panko mixture.
- Transfer chicken pieces to your prepared wire rack. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
- Transfer chicken to the oven and bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until the center registers 165 degrees F as read with a digital meat thermometer. Remove from the oven and serve with all your favorite dips and sauces.
Notes
- Feel free to substitute the regular breadcrumbs for additional panko breadcrumbs
- To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs - you may need to process them in a food processor to get them nice and small if the crumbs are too big or heavy to stick
- Make your chicken nuggets dairy-free by omitting the grated parmesan cheese
- These chicken nuggets can be made in the air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to cook your nuggets in batches. Cook them at 400 degrees for 6-8 minutes or until golden brown and 165 degrees F as read by a digital meat thermometer. Place them in a single layer - do not overcrowd your air fryer basket.
- Reheat leftover chicken nuggets in the microwave at 30-second intervals or in a preheated oven (400 degrees F) until heated through and breading is crispy.
Nutrition
Calories: 547kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 64g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 251mg | Sodium: 1500mg | Potassium: 999mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 633IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 335mg | Iron: 4mg
