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These Easy Chicken Nuggets not only deliver on the easy part of their name, but they’re insanely delicious too! They taste just as good (if not better) than fast food or store bought frozen nuggets and are made with simple ingredients. Kid’s go crazy for these!
Why I Love This Recipe
Homemade chicken nuggets are one of the most requested recipes I’ve received since I started creating family-friendly meals for Weelicious. While I’ve made Baked Chicken Nuggets before, I wanted to create a version that closely resembles the fast food nuggets everyone loves. And so, this recipe was born! Chicken nuggets and french fries are convenient and undeniably loved by kids, so naturally have I several recipes for each.
This homemade chicken nugget recipe is incredibly easy to make and offers the same crispy, delicious taste as fast food—but with healthier ingredients! It comes together in under 30 minutes using ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. Plus, you can make a large batch and freeze them for later, making these nuggets not only a budget-friendly recipe but also a huge time-saver when you need a quick meal.
The Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: The star of the show! We use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe, a great protein source!
- Old Fashioned Oats: Also known as rolled oats, this ingredient helps bind the chicken nuggets together. Plus, oats are high in fiber which adds some extra nutritional benefits.
- Panko breadcrumbs: Panko is what gives these nuggets that irresistible crispy, crunchy exterior!
- Grated parmesan cheese: Parmesan adds flavor to the nuggets, but if you need these to be dairy free you can omit it.
- Seasonings: Dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and kosher salt add tons of flavor to this recipe!
Variations and Substitutions
- Ground Chicken: If you don’t have a food processor, you can use ground chicken in this recipe. To do so, you’ll need to blend the oats into a finer consistency and then combine them with the ground chicken and remaining ingredients as instructed.
- Seasonings: Feel free to customize the seasonings to your taste preferences!
- Gluten Free: Use certified gluten free oats and gluten free panko to make this recipe suitable for people with gluten sensitivities.
How to Make Easy Chicken Nuggets
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the chicken chunks, oats and seasonings in a food processor until chicken is finely chopped and ingredients are combined.
Step 2: Place the bread crumbs and parmesan cheese in a shallow bowl or on a plate and stir to combine.
Step 3: With moistened hands, roll about 1 tablespoon of chicken mixture between your palms and flatten it into a nugget shape.
Step 4: Gently press nuggets into bread crumbs to evenly coat them. Place nuggets on a parchment lined baking sheet. Lightly spray nuggets with cooking spray. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden.
Recipe Tip
If you want your nuggets to be even more golden brown, place under the broiler for 2 minutes after cooking.
How to Air Fry Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Making these homemade chicken nuggets in the air fryer is super easy! Simply form the nuggets as directed, spray each one with cooking spray, and place them in your air fryer basket. Cook at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown. Since every air fryer can vary, keep an eye on your nuggets while they cook to ensure perfect results!
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How to Freeze Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Many parents keep frozen chicken nuggets on hand as a quick meal solution, but have you ever looked closely at the ingredients in your favorite brand? Are they pronounceable? Are they things you want your kids eating? I was shocked when I first checked the labels, which is why I now make extra homemade chicken nuggets to freeze. This way, I always have a batch ready for when the craving hits, and I feel good knowing exactly what’s in them!
- Before cooking, place the coated, raw nuggets on a parchment-lined baking sheet, freeze them for an hour.
- Put frozen nuggets in labeled zip-top bags and freeze for up to 4 months.
- When ready to eat, cook as directed, adding 1-2 minutes to the cooking time.
Tips and Tricks
- Use Wet Hands for Shaping: Keep your hands slightly damp while shaping the nuggets to prevent the chicken mixture from sticking to your fingers.
- Chill the Mixture: If the chicken mixture feels too soft to handle, place it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to firm up. This makes shaping the nuggets easier and helps them hold their form while cooking.
- Coat Nuggets Evenly: To get an even coating, press the nuggets gently into the breadcrumb mixture, turning them a few times. This ensures a crispy coating all over.
More Kid-Approved Chicken Recipes
Crispy on the outside, tender inside, freshly made easy chicken nuggets your kids will beg for everyday. What could be more simple, economical, nutritious and yummy than that?
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Easy Chicken Nuggets
Equipment
- Food Processor
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
- 1/4 cup old fashioned oats (also known as 5 minute oats)
- 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Place the first 6 ingredients in a food processor until chicken is finely chopped and ingredients are combined.
- Place the bread crumbs and parmesan cheese in a shallow bowl or on a plate and stir to combine.
- With moistened hands, roll 1 tablespoon of chicken mixture between your palms and flatten it into a “nugget” shape.
- Gently press nuggets into bread crumbs to evenly coat them.
- Place nuggets on parchment lined baking sheet and lightly spray nuggets with cooking spray.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden and serve. If you want your nuggets to be more golden brown, place under the broiler for 2 minutes after cooking. Air frying instructions are in the notes below!
I have a Hamilton Beach 70670. It’s a pretty basic, middle-of-the-road one (about $45 on Amazon), but it’s been great. Does everything I need, and I make a TON of weelicious recipes!
Does anyone have a recommendation for a food processor? I think it’s time to buy one!
see the answer to my question above
Oh wow! I gotta try this…most homemade nugget recipes include an egg coating so this is a must try since we have egg allergies. Now I just need a food processor…
You can buy ground chicken, or ask at the butcher counter of your local grocery to grind it for you!
If you don’t want to process the chicken, mix the spices in with the crumb and follow the same steps. My three don’t like the texture of the chicken once it’s been processed and it removes a step and clean up for me.
I love the spice mix, thanks for a new flavor. Cheers.
any way to make these if you don’t have a food processor?
We’re a veggie family so if I wanted to make tofu (or seitan) nuggets, would I simply substitue out the protein or would I need egg to hold it together?
Thanks!
If you cook the chicken first it won’t hold together with all the other ingredients, and when you go to bake it the chicken will become overcooked and very rubbery.
I know you mentioned the chicken should be raw and not to cook prior to putting in the processor, but would it make a difference if you did cook chicken first?
Good recipe! I love making homemade chicken nuggets and strips and freezing them for quick dinners or lunches! (I love any recipe that I can make double and freeze to have a quick, healthy meal on another day!) I have a similar recipe that I use and love but it doesn’t have oatmeal so I will have to give this one a try! Thanks for sharing!!
Wow! Super simple! We turn to nuggets on nights when my guy doesn’t like the family dinner. Sometimes I just get tired of making kid friendly food and want parent friendly stuff 🙂
It should be raw! 🙂
I had the same question! 🙂
No, do not cook chicken before the processor. 375° F for 15 minutes should be enough time to cook nuggets
Might be a stupid question but should the chicken Breast be cooked prior to puttIng in the food processor?