Crispy Homemade Chicken Nuggets Baked Not Fried Easy Recipe
These crispy homemade chicken nuggets are baked, not fried, delivering a golden crunch with juicy chicken inside. Perfect for a quick, family-friendly meal without the mess of frying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (65g), seasoned with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (100g)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Optional: 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (25g)
- Olive oil spray or avocado oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top if available.
- Cut chicken breasts into even 1-inch chunks.
- Set up dredging stations: flour mixture in one bowl, beaten eggs in second bowl, and breadcrumb mixture (panko, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and optional Parmesan) in third bowl.
- Coat each chicken piece first in the flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the egg wash, and finally roll in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Arrange coated nuggets spaced evenly on the wire rack over the baking sheet. If no rack, place directly on parchment paper and plan to flip halfway through baking.
- Lightly spray the nuggets with olive or avocado oil spray.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes until golden and cooked through, flipping halfway at about 10 minutes if not using a rack. Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Let the nuggets rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use panko breadcrumbs for a lighter, flakier crunch. Lightly spray with oil to achieve golden crispiness without frying. Pat chicken dry before coating for better adhesion. Avoid overcrowding the baking rack to prevent steaming. Flip nuggets halfway if not using a wire rack. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked. For gluten-free, substitute flour and panko with almond flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or use a vegan alternative. Air fryer option: cook at 400°F for 12 minutes, shaking halfway.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 4 ounc
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1.5
- Protein: 30
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