Description
These baked chicken nuggets come together when you pound chicken breasts thin, coat them in seasoned breadcrumbs, and let the oven do the work for crispy results without the oil. Your family gets all the satisfaction of a favorite comfort food, but it’s the healthier version that actually fits into how you eat at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein base:
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Coating and binder:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
Seasoning and cooking:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper while it preheats.
- Take your 3 to 4 chicken breasts and cut them into bite-sized nugget pieces.
- Crack 2 eggs into a shallow bowl and whisk them together until combined.
- Pour 1 cup of breadcrumbs into another shallow bowl and mix in your seasonings like garlic powder and paprika.
- Dip each chicken piece into the egg mixture, making sure it’s fully coated on all sides.
- Roll your egg-coated chicken immediately in the breadcrumb mixture until it’s completely covered.
- Place each breaded nugget on your prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over all your nuggets, coating them lightly.
- Bake at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes until your nuggets turn golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Remove from the oven and let your nuggets cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Patting your chicken pieces dry before dipping them helps the egg coating stick better and creates a crispier exterior.
- If your breadcrumbs seem plain, mix in garlic powder, paprika, or Italian seasoning to boost flavor throughout the nuggets.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular breadcrumbs with panko made from gluten-free bread or crushed gluten-free cereal for the same golden crunch.
- Placing your baking sheet on the middle oven rack ensures even browning on all sides without the bottoms burning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Baked Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg