Baked Homemade Chicken Nuggets: Crispy, Healthy, and Absolutely Delicious!
Every parent knows the struggle: finding a meal that’s both kid-friendly and something you can feel good about serving. For many families, chicken nuggets are a go-to. However, the store-bought, frozen varieties often come with a high price tag and a list of ingredients that are hard to pronounce, leaving you wondering exactly what your little ones are eating. That’s why I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands and create a homemade version that’s not only incredibly easy to make but also significantly healthier and tastier than anything you’ll find in the freezer aisle. My kids and I agree – these baked homemade chicken nuggets are superior in every way!
The beauty of making your own chicken nuggets lies in the simplicity and the control you have over the ingredients. No more mystery meat or artificial flavors; just pure, wholesome chicken breast coated in a perfectly seasoned, crispy breading. You’ll be amazed at how quickly these come together, transforming simple ingredients into a golden, delicious meal your whole family will devour. Plus, knowing exactly what goes into each bite brings a sense of satisfaction that store-bought options simply can’t match.
Why Choose Homemade Chicken Nuggets?
There are countless reasons to swap your frozen chicken nuggets for a homemade batch. Beyond the obvious health benefits, here’s why this recipe will become a staple in your kitchen:
- Wholesome Ingredients: You control what goes in! Fresh, boneless, skinless chicken breast is the star, free from fillers, preservatives, or artificial additives.
- Superior Flavor and Texture: These nuggets boast an incredible flavor, enhanced by Parmesan cheese and seasoned salt. The panko breading creates an irresistibly crispy exterior that contrasts beautifully with the tender, juicy chicken inside – a texture often missing from processed nuggets.
- Economical: Making chicken nuggets from scratch can be surprisingly cost-effective, especially when buying chicken in bulk. You save money compared to regularly purchasing small bags of frozen alternatives.
- Kid-Friendly & Customizable: Kids adore these! They’re perfect for picky eaters, and you can easily adjust the seasonings to suit your family’s preferences. Want a little spice? Add a pinch of cayenne. Looking for an herbier flavor? Include some dried oregano or thyme.
- Healthier Cooking Method: Baking eliminates the need for deep-frying, significantly reducing the fat content without sacrificing crispiness. It’s a guilt-free way to enjoy a classic comfort food.
- Freezer-Friendly: Prepare a larger batch and freeze them for quick meals later. They reheat wonderfully, making them just as convenient as their store-bought counterparts, but with all the homemade goodness.
Crafting Your Perfect Baked Chicken Nuggets: A Simple Process
You might think making chicken nuggets from scratch is complicated, but it’s genuinely simple. The process involves just a few easy steps:
- Prepare the Breading Mixture: In one shallow dish, you’ll combine crispy panko breadcrumbs, finely grated Parmesan cheese, a touch of seasoned salt, and freshly ground black pepper. The panko is key here, as it delivers a much lighter and crispier texture than traditional breadcrumbs. The Parmesan adds a fantastic savory depth.
- Create an Egg Wash: In a separate shallow dish, whisk together two eggs with a small amount of water. This creates the perfect binder for the breading, ensuring every piece of chicken is evenly coated.
- Cut the Chicken: Take your boneless, skinless chicken breasts and cut them into bite-sized pieces. I aim for chunks roughly the size of standard store-bought nuggets, usually around 1.5 to 2 inches. Uniform pieces ensure even cooking.
- Dip and Coat: This is where the magic happens! Dip each chicken piece first into the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off. Then, transfer it to the panko breading mixture, pressing gently to ensure the crumb mixture adheres completely to all sides.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Arrange the coated nuggets on a prepared baking sheet, ensuring they have enough space between them for air to circulate, which helps with crisping. A quick spray of non-stick cooking spray on top will also aid in achieving that beautiful golden-brown color and extra crunch. Bake them for just 8 minutes per side, or until they’re cooked through and delightfully crispy.
It’s really that straightforward! In less than 30 minutes of active time, you can have a batch of these golden, wholesome nuggets ready to enjoy.
Achieving That Perfect Golden Hue and Extra Crispiness
One common observation about homemade baked chicken nuggets is that they might not achieve the same ultra-golden, deep-fried look of their store-bought counterparts. If that “golden” appearance is important to you, there’s a super simple trick to achieve it! Before mixing your panko breadcrumbs with the Parmesan cheese and seasonings, spread the panko on a baking sheet and toast it in a 400°F oven for 6-8 minutes, or until it’s light golden brown. Let it cool completely before combining with the cheese (to prevent the cheese from melting prematurely). This pre-toasting step gives your nuggets that beautiful, rich golden color right out of the oven.
While I sometimes skip this step for convenience (my family doesn’t mind a slightly lighter color), I will occasionally give the baked nuggets a quick broil for 1-2 minutes at the very end of cooking, just to enhance their color and crispiness, especially when taking photos! Just keep a close eye on them under the broiler, as they can go from golden to burnt very quickly.
For even more crispiness, ensure your baking sheet isn’t overcrowded. Giving each nugget a bit of space allows the hot air to circulate, promoting even cooking and a crisper crust. Using a wire rack placed over the baking sheet can further enhance this by lifting the nuggets off the pan, preventing the bottoms from getting soggy.
Serving Suggestions and Delicious Pairings
These homemade chicken nuggets are incredibly versatile and pair well with a wide variety of sides, making them a fantastic option for a weeknight dinner or a fun weekend lunch. Here are some of our favorite ways to serve them:
- Classic Comfort: Serve them with a side of creamy macaroni and cheese or fluffy mashed potatoes for a comforting meal that kids and adults alike will love.
- Fresh & Healthy: Balance the meal with a colorful assortment of cut-up fruits (like apple slices, grapes, or berries) and fresh veggies (carrot sticks, cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes). A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is also a great addition.
- Steamed Vegetables: Quickly steam some broccoli, green beans, or corn for a healthy and easy side.
- Dipping Sauces Galore: The right dipping sauce can elevate the entire experience! Classic ketchup, tangy BBQ sauce, honey mustard, a creamy ranch dressing, or even a sweet and sour sauce are all fantastic choices. Feel free to experiment with homemade sauces too!
- Fun Fries: For a more indulgent touch, serve them with homemade sweet potato fries or classic oven-baked potato wedges.
Whatever you choose, these homemade nuggets are sure to be a hit!
A Little Life Update and the Power of Simple Carbs
Speaking of little nuggets, our family is excitedly preparing to welcome a new tiny nugget in mid-June! Yes, that’s right – Baby #8 is on the way, and the kids are absolutely thrilled, hoping with all their might for a baby boy. I, on the other hand, have a strong feeling it might be another girl, but we’ll find out soon enough!
I’m currently 17 weeks along, and I’m overjoyed to report that my morning sickness has finally subsided – hooray! This pregnancy has been a bit of a whirlwind, especially with how quickly I got over the morning sickness this time, leading to some playful speculation about whether it could truly be a boy. This explains why things have been a little quieter here on Countryside Cravings lately.
For weeks, my diet consisted almost exclusively of plain carbs. When I say plain, I mean plain toast, plain rice… I know, it sounds a bit unusual! Most of those strong food aversions thankfully disappeared a few weeks ago, and I’m slowly getting back to enjoying a more balanced diet. Due to all those comforting carbs, I think I’ve already gained about 15 pounds – yikes! But now that fruits, vegetables, and lean meats are back on the menu (still enjoying those carbs, but in moderation, of course! 😉), I’m hoping to slow that down a bit. Balancing a growing family and a growing baby can certainly make life a little crazy, but it’s always an adventure!
Baked Chicken Nuggets
4
servings
Countryside Cravings
Save Recipe
Saved!
15 minutes
16 minutes
31 minutes
Prevent your screen from going dark
Ingredients
-
1
pound
boneless
skinless chicken breast (2 large) -
2
eggs -
1
cup
panko breadcrumbs -
1/2
cup
FINELY grated Parmesan cheese
the kind in the green can will work -
1/2
teaspoon
seasoned salt -
Pepper to taste -
Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Coat a large baking sheet with non-stick spray, set aside.
-
Cut chicken breasts into smallish pieces (I usually make them roughly the same size as the ones you can buy from the store which is about a 2-inch nugget).
-
In a shallow dish, beat eggs with a small amount of water (about 1 teaspoon). In a separate shallow dish, combine the panko, Parmesan cheese, seasoned salt, and pepper. Dip each piece of chicken in the egg wash then into the panko mixture. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Spray nuggets lightly with cooking spray and bake for 8 minutes, turn each piece, and bake for another 8 minutes or until cooked through. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Did you make this?
Let me know by sharing a picture and tagging @countryside_cravings on Instagram
