Description
These Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets are a lighter, homemade alternative to traditional fried nuggets. Coated in seasoned flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, then baked to golden crisp perfection, they are perfect for a family-friendly meal or snack. Ready in just 35 minutes, these nuggets deliver a satisfying crunch without the extra oil and fat from frying.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 cup flour
- 2 teaspoons ground paprika (optional, reduce or omit for young children)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional, reduce or omit for young children)
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder (optional, reduce or omit for young children)
- 2 teaspoons salt (optional, reduce or omit for young children)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup bread crumbs
For Cooking
- cooking spray or butter or oil
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and place a baking pan inside to preheat. Beat the eggs in a bowl, and place breadcrumbs in a separate shallow dish to prepare for breading.
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken dry and cut it into chunks or strips. Place the chicken in a large ziplock bag along with the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Seal the bag, removing excess air, and shake vigorously to evenly coat the chicken pieces with seasoning and flour.
- Bread Chicken: Remove the chicken pieces from the bag, shaking off any excess flour. Dip all pieces into the beaten eggs to coat thoroughly, then dredge each piece through the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the crumbs adhere well. Set the breaded chicken pieces aside on a plate.
- Bake Nuggets: Remove the preheated pan carefully from the oven and spray it with cooking spray or spread melted butter/oil evenly. Arrange the chicken nuggets on the pan and bake in the hot oven for 8-10 minutes. Flip the nuggets carefully and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes. Finish by placing the nuggets under the broiler for a few minutes until they are golden and crispy. Serve immediately with your favorite dips.
Notes
- You can adjust or omit spices based on children’s tolerance.
- Using a preheated pan helps the nuggets get crispier.
- For extra crispiness, finish with a broiler step but watch closely to avoid burning.
- These nuggets can be paired with healthy dips like yogurt-based sauces or ketchup.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven for best texture.
