Baked Panko Chicken Bites (Better Than Fried!) are a super tasty, kid-friendly snack and ready in 30 minutes. These nuggets are made with real chicken and are so much better for you than the fast food kind. They're super crunchy and yummy!
Kids will love them, and so will grown-ups. Get ready for a flavour explosion with these homemade chicken nuggets. Perfect for lunch or dinner. Serve them with my fail-proof 4-ingredient homemade mayo as a dipping sauce.
You can also try this chicken and pepper stew or a super-easy-to-make chickpea and roasted peppers dish, both recipes go beautifully with some freshly baked bread or some homemade rice. Give them a try, I am certain you will love them!
Even easier recipes to test: Baked Cornflake Chicken Nuggets, Lemon Chicken, Easy 15-minute Udon Noodles, Turkey Mince Noodles, or Gnocchi made easy with Pesto and Zucchini for a quick, delicious lunch or dinner.
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💗Why this recipe works
Why this Baked Chicken Nuggets Recipe is So Great! This yummy recipe for chicken nuggets is a total winner. It's not only super tasty but also easy to make. You can find all the ingredients at your local store.
These nuggets are baked, not fried, which makes them a healthier choice. Even picky eaters will gobble them up! Kids and grown-ups alike will be asking for more of these crispy, golden nuggets. You'll love making and munching on this recipe.
♻️ Substitutions
- Chicken Breasts - If you're looking for a non-chicken alternative, you could try using tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian or vegan version of these nuggets. Turkey breast works as well, just extend the cooking time by 5 minutes.
- Egg (Beaten) - For an egg-free option, you can use a mixture of water and ground flaxseed or chia seeds as a binding agent. This works great for vegan nuggets.
- Flour - To make these nuggets gluten-free, swap the regular flour for a gluten-free flour blend or almond flour.
- Milk - You can use non-dairy milk, such as almond milk or soy milk, to make these nuggets if you're lactose intolerant or vegan.
- Dried Breadcrumbs (or more, we used panko) - Opt for gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes to keep these nuggets gluten-free.
- Olive Oil - Any cooking oil of your choice, like vegetable oil or canola oil, can replace olive oil if that's what you prefer.
- Paprika - Experiment with other spices or herbs like thyme, oregano, or curry powder to give your nuggets a different twist.
- Garlic Powder - Swap garlic powder for onion powder.
- To Serve: Spicy Mayo - If you're not a fan of spicy mayo, you can serve these nuggets with ketchup, honey mustard, or your chosen dipping sauce.
📖 Variations
- Buffalo Chicken Nuggets: Toss baked nuggets in buffalo sauce for a spicy kick. Serve with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.
- Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Nuggets: Coat chicken in breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese for a cheesy, crispy finish.
- Honey Mustard Glazed Nuggets: Drizzle honey mustard sauce over the nuggets for a sweet and tangy flavour.
- BBQ Chicken Nuggets: Brush the nuggets with barbecue sauce before baking for a smoky, tangy taste.
- Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour to make nuggets perfect for those with dietary restrictions.
❓FAQs
Oven-baked chicken is a great alternative to deep-fried because you use way less oil but still get that crispy outside and juicy inside. Plus, it’s way less messy—no big pots of hot oil or greasy cleanup afterwards.
Dip the chicken fully in the egg wash so the panko has something to grip onto. Press the breadcrumbs on gently to help them stick. Just keep an eye on the heat—panko can burn quickly if the pan or oven is too hot.
Set your oven to around 250°F or use the "warm" setting. This keeps the chicken hot without drying it out, and the dry heat helps maintain that crispy coating until you're ready to serve.
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The BEST Crispy Baked Chicken Nuggets
Equipment
- 1 baking pan
- 1 medium bowl
- 1 small bowl
- 1 wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoon flour
- 50 ml milk
- 100 g breadcrumbs (I used panko)
To serve: spicy mayo made out of mayonnaise and sriracha combined.
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set oven to grill/broil mode at 200°C/400°F (medium heat/level 3). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Dice the meat into pieces about 2-3mm thick. Add the meat into a bowl and season with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Let it marinade while you prepare the batter.2 chicken breasts, 2 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper
- Mix the egg with the milk and season with a pinch of salt and a pinch of freshly grated pepper, then incorporate the flour until it's smooth with no lumps.1 egg, 50 ml milk, 3 tablespoon flour
- Place the breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl, dip the chicken pieces in the egg batter then coat completely with breadcrumbs.100 g breadcrumbs
- Place the well-coated chicken nuggets in a single layer on a pan lined with parchment paper.
- Lightly sprinkle some olive oil on top, place the pan on the top shelf and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve with rice, baked wedges, a salad or whatever you fancy!
Cornelia says
These baked chicken nuggets look perfectly crispy without needing much oil! Such a smart way to make
Swathi says
Baked chicken nuggets is delicious. I have tried it, my picky eater approved it.
Genevieve says
Baked chicken nuggets are so good or as we like to call them in our house, nuggies! lol
Nicole says
These chicken nuggets are incredible!! I will absolutely be making them on repeat for my kiddos!
Tara says
My kids love chicken nuggets and they've been a staple in my kitchen for years. I love making them homemade, and your recipe is similar to what I make - absolutely delicious, and a kid favorite! I used to bake them but tend to use the air fryer more these days. Thanks for sharing!!
Lathiya says
My kids loved these nuggets. Now I don't have to buy those frozen ones to treat my kids and their friends.
Gloria says
Chicken is always a hit. I love the fact you can make these from scratch. The store bought frozen ones are full of preservatives and too much salt.
Stephanie says
Yum! These baked chicken nuggets are a favorite with my kids (and me!). Great to have a healthy alternative to fried nuggets. The coating is delish and the chicken is tender and juicy.
Liz says
These were SO much better than the fast food nuggets and easy to make! My kids LOVED them!!!