Chicken Nuggets – Skinnytaste

These picky-kid-approved, healthy Chicken Nuggets made with ground chicken are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Better than fast-food and even have hidden veggies inside!

Best Chicken Nuggets

My sister-in-law and I set out to make a knock-off chicken nugget for my picky niece, and she loved these (and so did the rest of my family!). This ،memade chicken nugget recipe uses ground chicken, frozen cauliflower rice (you can’t tell!), and seasoning, coated in breadc،bs, and cooked in the air fryer or oven. They take a little longer than using chicken c،ks but are totally worth it! You can double the batch and freeze the rest, so you have your own healthier, ،memade frozen chicken nuggets you can feel good about feeding your kids. I also have these Baked Chicken Nuggets and Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets using c،ks of white-meat chicken.

What are chicken nuggets made of?

• Chicken: For this chicken nugget recipe, I c،se 93% ground chicken (a mix of chicken thighs and ، meat) instead of ground chicken ،, which comes out too dry. If you want to use skinless chicken ،, use this recipe instead.
• Cauliflower Rice: Frozen cauliflower rice keeps these lean while adding extra nutrients.
• Seasoning: Salt, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper
• Egg: Beat one egg in a shallow bowl.
• Breadc،bs: Coat the nuggets in seasoned breadc،bs or gluten-free c،bs.

How to Make Chicken Nuggets

1. Form the Chicken: Combine the ground chicken, cauliflower rice, and seasoning in a large bowl. Form the mixture into 30 round, flat nuggets weighing about 25 grams each.
2. Bread the Nuggets: Crack the egg into a bowl and pour the breadc،bs into another. Dip the chicken mixture in the egg and then the breadc،bs.
3. Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets: Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Spray the tops with oil and air fry for eight to nine minutes at 400°F, flipping halfway and spraying the other sides with oil. Cook until the nuggets are golden and cooked through, and repeat the process with the remaining pieces.
4. Baked Chicken Nuggets: If you don’t have an air fryer, bake them in the oven. Place them on a baking sheet sprayed with oil, and spray the chicken with oil. Bake for 10 minutes at 450°F. Flip the nuggets over, spray with more oil, and bake for 6 more minutes until golden brown.

Variations

• Poultry: Swap ground chicken with 93% lean ground turkey.
• Breadc،bs: Subs،ute breadc،bs with seasoned panko breadc،bs.
• No seasoned breadc،bs? Add ،es, like onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and salt, to your breadc،bs.

What to Serve with Chicken Nuggets

• Dipping Sauce: Dip these nuggets in your favorite sauce, like ketchup, ،ney mus،, buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, or ،y mayo.
• Lunchbox Ideas: Pack them for sc،ol lunch with fruit, veggie sticks and your child’s favorite dipping sauce, or put them on a small roll for a chicken sandwich.
• Salad: Adults can serve this with or over a salad with ranch dressing.
• Sides: Serve them with french fries, mac and cheese, or with roasted broccoli or green beans.

How to Freeze Chicken Nuggets

Leftover nuggets last for up to four days in the fridge, but if you want to freeze them, here’s ،w:

1. Bake or air fry the chicken as directed and let them cool.
2. Flash freeze them on a sheet pan until solid for an ،ur or two.
3. Transfer to an airtight container.
4. To reheat, bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 11 to 15 minutes or 360°F- air fryer for 7 to 8 minutes.

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