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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 just made these for the second time. So yummy! I actually was able to shape them using a star cookie cuter to mimic a certain fast food nugget (=
These are amazing! I had never given my son chicken nuggets because I don’t give him junk food. Glad we can enjoy this healthy version! Thanks
Hmmm that might work! I would be a little more gentle with the salmon, though. Maybe just flake it apart and mix with everything by hand before coating in breadcrumbs.
Could you make the salmon nuggets this way?
[…] I made mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli, apple slices and Easy Chicken Nuggets. The woman who wrote the recipe promised these things would be similar to, but even better than the […]
This recipe is GREAT! I wanted to try the version in the book but I didn’t have mashed potatoes so I’m glad I came to the website and found this. My very picky daughter is eating them as I type this. It’s so helpful that you include the freezer directions because I made a double batch. I used quality organic chicken so it really makes me wonder how companies are able to sell those huge bags of frozen chicken nuggets for only a few dollars. I’m sure they don’t use only quality ingredients.
Thank you sooo much for all the great recipes. I have never written a review before. I just have to tell you these were a big hit with my daughter. She said ”
Mom you rock”. She couldn’t stop eating them and exclaimed “please make these everyday”. They are so easy and quick I’m making them everyday. I’m grounding my own chicken or turkey. On a side note I just want to add I substituted quinoa for mashed potato(I didn’t have any) and added an egg to the mix.
Thank you again I love your site and you inspire me
Omg! Best recipe for kids! My whole family if picky waters loves these !
Chicken nuggets
The mashed potato version is the recipe in the cookbook!
I noticed the video recipe uses mashed potatoes but the written recipe mentions oats. Are the mashed potatoes as substitute for the oats? Does one work better than the other?
[…] Easy chicken Nuggets […]
I added thighs & a couple of livers – and cut out the oatmeal, because I was concerned they would be too dry. They were really good.
I made a double recipe with the following changes and they were delicious! 1 lb of each of boneless skinless organic chicken breasts and thighs, blended with all ingredients except oats (completely ommitted) in food processor. Rolled in regular breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese and baked as instructed. I sprayed the tops of the nuggets with Pam cooking spray and they were amazing! 56% cheaper than store organic nuggets! Thank you!
I made a double recipe with the following changes and they were delicious! 1 lb of each of boneless skinless organic chicken breasts and thighs, blended with all ingredients except oats (completely ommitted) in food processor. Rolled in regular breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese and baked as instructed. I sprayed the tops of the nuggets with Pam cooking spray and they were amazing! 56% cheaper than store organic nuggets! Thank you!
I made a double recipe with the following changes and they were delicious! 1 lb of each of boneless skinless organic chicken breasts and thighs, blended with all ingredients except oats (completely ommitted) in food processor. Rolled in regular breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese and baked as instructed. I sprayed the tops of the nuggets with Pam cooking spray and they were amazing! 56% cheaper than store organic nuggets! Thank you!