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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!
Wanted to know if there were any other substitutes for the parmesan? Unfortunately, I dont like the taste of the non dairy cheeses. Wasnt sure if there wld be anything to help it bind without the cheese. Thank u!
Would it work to bake these and then freeze them for later? Then defrost them when ready to eat?
Thank you for such an easy and delicious recipe!
I made it tonight and both the kids loved it.
Out goes the store bought ones.. IN come’s these weelicious nuggets.
These were so easy! I scooped the chicken mix out of the bowl with a cookie scoop (which got me thinking), so after I pressed them in the panko & parm and flattened them out a bit, I cut them into shapes with small cookie cutters! Super cute!
These are so great! I just made a batch for my kids (3yo and 15mo). They both gobbled them up. I got a nice big batch from 1.5 lbs of chicken. The best part was that it only took me an hour to make them. This recipes a keeper for sure!
Thank you for a great recipe!! As a pregnant lady craving the evil nuggets of McDonald’s (yes, I have seen the pink ooze chicken parts picture going around…) these have been wonderful to have on hand. I liked them so much that my mom and I experimented with hiding veggies in them for my super-picky nephew and it was a smashing success! We decided on cauliflower for the color and it’s ability to blend with other food items. We separately processed about 1/3 to 1/2 of a head raw (minus the larger stalk), added it to the mixture, processed it a little more and it was great. As an added bonus, the cauliflower seems to stretch the number of nuggets out more, so we typically get anywhere from 35-45 nuggets per batch. Again, thanks for the recipes – I look forward to trying them out on my own little bean who arrives this October 🙂
Thank you so much for posting this!! I was just thinking today the “stuff” that is in chicken nuggets and how I wish my kids would like real chicken nuggets I can make but they don’t. This sounds perfect!!! I’m super stoked to try these! Again, thank you!!
Here are recipes that are good for 10 months and older: http://b12.ba4.myftpupload.com/category/recipes-10-12-months/
And here are recipes that are appropriate for toddlers! http://b12.ba4.myftpupload.com/category/toddler-bites/
Thank you.. I have another question plz
My son is still 14 months, lots of these recipes here are great but not yet for him, do u have a special category for younger toddlers??
Freeze after coating in bread crumbs!
Wow, That is the best nuggets I’ve ever tasted… I didn’t add onion powder or oats because they weren’t available here. I also used grated cheddar but the result was perfect. So easy recipe.. I also added a zucchini to the mixture to get my baby eat it.
I totally love it so much, thank you million times.
I just have one question. I didn’t understand how to freeze them. Should I do it after quoting with crumbs or before that step
Also “disgusting” is just a rude word to use about someone’s recipe, regardless of what precedes it.
Catherine commented on this earlier… she said instant oats will cook too quickly and will become mushy. Better make a run to the grocery store!
Btw I’m excited to try this recipe!
Elizabeth, I thought the same thing! I have to cook steel cut oats OVER NIGHT in order for them to cook properly, lol. I’m going to try this recipe for the first time today but I have to use instant oats because it’s all I’ve got…hopefully it’ll work out.
Fantastic! So similar to fast food yet so different. I’m going to make a double batch tomorrow. Thanks again for the great recipe.
I am still chuckling that there seems to be confusion between steel cut and 5 minute oats. Not being mean, but come on!
Hey another me!
anyway I will have to try the veggie one! do you use raw veggies?