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Homemade Chicken Nuggets Baked Not Fried Easy Crispy Recipe for Weeknight Dinner

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Crispy, easy homemade chicken nuggets baked instead of fried, perfect for quick weeknight dinners. These nuggets are golden, crunchy, and kid-approved without the mess or guilt of deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680g) chicken breast, cut into nugget-sized pieces
  • 1.5 cups (150g) panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • ¼ cup (25g) Parmesan cheese, finely grated (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Olive oil spray

Instructions

  1. Cut chicken breast into bite-sized nuggets, about 1.5 inches each, keeping pieces roughly the same size.
  2. Set up dredging stations: season flour with salt and pepper in one shallow bowl, beat eggs in a second bowl, and mix panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a third bowl.
  3. Dredge each chicken piece in the flour, shaking off excess, then dip into beaten eggs, letting excess drip off, and finally press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture to coat all sides.
  4. Place coated nuggets on a wire rack set over a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If no wire rack, place directly on parchment paper and plan to flip halfway through baking.
  5. Lightly spray nuggets with olive oil spray or brush with olive oil.
  6. Bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 15-20 minutes until golden and crispy, flipping halfway if not using a wire rack. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Notes

Use panko breadcrumbs for best crispiness. Spray nuggets lightly with olive oil to achieve golden crust. Baking on a wire rack improves crispiness by allowing air circulation. Season flour, eggs, and breadcrumb mixture well for best flavor. Do not overcrowd the pan. Check internal temperature to ensure safety. Variations include adding cayenne pepper for spice, using gluten-free or dairy-free substitutes, or cooking in an air fryer at 400°F for 12 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken nuggets, baked chicken nuggets, crispy chicken nuggets, easy chicken nuggets, kid-friendly dinner, weeknight dinner, healthy chicken nuggets

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