These homemade chicken nuggets are made with ground chicken, simple seasonings, and a crispy breadcrumb coating for an easy, oven-baked dinner the whole family will enjoy. They're baked instead of fried, making them a great option for busy weeknights when you want something familiar and homemade.
A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Homemade Chicken Nuggets
🕒 Ready In: ~30 minutes
👪 Serves: 4 servings
🍽 Calories: ~320 per serving
🥣 Main Ingredients: Ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, garlic powder, paprika
📖 Dietary Info: Dairy-free option, gluten-free option
👌 Difficulty: Easy - simple prep and oven-baked
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Using ground chicken keeps the nuggets tender and evenly seasoned, while Parmesan cheese and spices add plenty of flavor without extra steps. They bake up golden and crisp on the outside while staying juicy on the inside.
For more simple, from-scratch dinners, try our Homemade Hamburger Helper, Cauliflower Pizza Crust, and Healthy Tuna Noodle Casserole.
Jump to:
- A Quick Look at the Recipe
- Why You'll Love this Homemade Chicken Nuggets:
- Key Ingredients:
- Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- How to Make Homemade Chicken Nuggets:
- Recipe Notes & Tips:
- How to Store:
- Homemade Chicken Nuggets FAQs:
- More Easy Dinner Recipes You'll Love
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- Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Why You'll Love this Homemade Chicken Nuggets:
Baked, not fried: Made in the oven for an easy, no-fuss dinner.
Simple ingredients: Uses pantry staples and basic seasonings.
Tender and flavorful: Ground chicken keeps the nuggets juicy and evenly seasoned.
Family-friendly: A familiar favorite that's great for kids and adults alike.
Great for dipping: Pairs well with ketchup, honey mustard, or your favorite sauces.
Key Ingredients:
- ground chicken: Using ground chicken makes the nuggets tender and easy to shape. Look for 93% lean for the best balance of flavor and moisture.
- breadcrumbs: Regular or panko breadcrumbs both work, panko will give a crispier finish.
- parmesan cheese: Adds salty, savory flavor to the crumb coating and helps it brown nicely in the oven.
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this page for exact quantities.
Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- Make them gluten-free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs in place of regular breadcrumbs.
- Skip the Parmesan: Leave out the cheese or replace it with a dairy-free alternative.
- Change the seasoning: Swap thyme for Italian seasoning or add a pinch of smoked paprika for extra flavor.
- Use ground turkey: Ground turkey works well as a substitute for ground chicken.
- Make them crispier: Lightly spray the nuggets with cooking spray before baking for a crispier finish.
How to Make Homemade Chicken Nuggets:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until well combined.
- In a separate shallow dish, mix the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- With slightly damp hands, scoop 2-3 tablespoons of the ground chicken mixture and gently shape it into nugget-sized pieces.
- Dip each nugget into the egg mixture, letting any excess drip off, then coat evenly in the breadcrumb mixture. Place the coated nuggets on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
- Bake for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the nuggets are golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Recipe Notes & Tips:
- Use damp hands: Lightly damp hands make shaping the nuggets easier and help prevent sticking.
- Keep nuggets similar in size: Evenly sized nuggets cook more consistently and finish at the same time.
- Flip halfway: Turning the nuggets halfway through baking helps them brown evenly on both sides.
- Check for doneness: Chicken nuggets are fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Serving suggestions: Our kids love these with a side of Veggie Tots and Homemade Ranch Dressing.
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How to Store:
Refrigerator: Let the nuggets cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 375ºF for 8-10 minutes or in the air fryer to restore crispiness.
Freezer: Freeze cooked nuggets in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Store for up to 2 months.
To reheat from frozen: Bake at 400ºF for 15-18 minutes or until heated through and crispy. No need to thaw first.
Homemade Chicken Nuggets FAQs:
Yes, homemade chicken nuggets freeze well. Let them cool completely after baking, then store in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Reheat directly from frozen in the oven or air fryer for best texture.
Yes, homemade chicken nuggets can be cooked in the air fryer. Air fry at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until fully cooked and crisp.
Homemade chicken nuggets are fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F and are lightly golden on the outside.
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Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until well combined.
- In a separate shallow dish, mix the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- With slightly damp hands, scoop 2-3 tablespoons of the ground chicken mixture and gently shape it into nugget-sized pieces.
- Dip each nugget into the egg mixture, letting any excess drip off, then coat evenly in the breadcrumb mixture. Place the coated nuggets on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
- Bake for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the nuggets are golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition
Notes
- Use damp hands: Lightly damp hands make shaping the nuggets easier and help prevent sticking.
- Keep nuggets similar in size: Evenly sized nuggets cook more consistently and finish at the same time.
- Flip halfway: Turning the nuggets halfway through baking helps them brown evenly on both sides.
- Check for doneness: Chicken nuggets are fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Serving suggestions: Our kids love these with a side of Veggie Tots and Homemade Ranch Dressing.
Rebecca says
Delicious! Have you ever cooked these in an air fryer???
Jane says
Super easy and delicious!