These crispy baked cornflake chicken nuggets are a family favourite in our house. Tender chicken breast with a crunchy coating, baked (not fried!) in 30 minutes. Serve with Sriracha mayo for dipping.
This recipe doesn't involve frying, something I try to avoid these days; it's easy to prepare and will give the satisfaction of having a nutritious meal, cooked in the healthiest way possible. Love crispy skin? Our perfect roast chicken nails it every time.
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💗Why This Recipe Works
- Quick & Easy: Ready in 30 minutes for busy nights.
- Crispy & Delicious: Baked, not fried, with a crunchy cornflake coating.
- Customizable: Adjust seasoning to your taste.
- Kid-Friendly: Fun to make together and easy for little hands.
- Healthy: A lighter option without sacrificing crunch.
- Meal Prep Ready: Freeze uncooked nuggets for later.
- One-Pan Chicken Dinner? If you love easy chicken meals, try my creamy spinach chicken - it's all cooked in a single skillet.
🥘 Ingredients
Make these baked chicken nuggets at home - they're tasty and a healthier choice than the fried ones! The recipe requires simple ingredients and is easy to find at your nearest supermarket.
- Chicken breast - I like to use organic, corn feed or free-range; the taste is substantially better.
- Cornflakes are used to coat the chicken and add a crunchy element to the chicken bites. The cornflakes need to be crushed either in a food processor or placed in a sealed plastic bag and then crushed with your hands.
- Olive oil makes the nuggets golden when baked.
♻️ Substitutions
- Chicken Breast - Use chicken thighs, chicken tenders, or boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Just dice them into bite-sized pieces, but not too small, as they will get too dry when baked.
- Corn Flakes - Use panko breadcrumbs or crushed crackers.
- Eggs - Buttermilk, yoghurt, or a mixture of milk and vinegar for an egg-free option.
- Flour - All-purpose gluten-free flour, almond flour, or chickpea flour for a gluten-free alternative.
- Milk - Buttermilk, yoghurt, or non-dairy milk like almond milk or soy milk for lactose-free or vegan options.
- Paprika - Smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or chilli powder for a hint of heat.
- Chilli Powder - Cayenne pepper, paprika, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for spiciness.
- Garlic Powder - Onion powder, garlic salt, or minced or grated fresh garlic.
- Olive Oil - Canola oil, vegetable oil, or melted butter.
Variations
- Lemon Herb: Marinate in lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Roast at 400°F for 20-25 minutes.
- Spicy Honey Glazed: Toss in a mix of honey, soy sauce, sriracha, and garlic. Roast at 425°F for 15-20 minutes until caramelized.
- Teriyaki: Marinate in soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Roast at 375°F for 20-25 minutes.
- Mediterranean Herb: Toss in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, basil, and thyme. Roast at 400°F for 25-30 minutes.
- Cajun: Season with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, thyme, and oregano. Roast at 425°F for 15-20 minutes.
- Asian-Inspired: Love bold flavours? My crispy sesame chicken takes a similar approach with a sweet and savoury glaze - perfect over rice.
👩🍳 How To Make Easy Baked Cornflake Chicken Nuggets
Step 1: Start the recipe by dicing the chicken breast into bite-sized chunks. Add the meat to a bowl, and season with salt and pepper, paprika, chilli and garlic powder. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate if you have time for 30 minutes to marinate.
Step 2: Whisk together the eggs, flour, and a splash of milk in a shallow bowl until a smooth batter forms. Season the mixture with salt, pepper or other preferred seasonings according to your taste preferences. Set aside.
Step 3: Crush the cornflakes in a separate bowl until they become coarse crumbs.
Step 4: Bring the chicken chunks, egg batter and crushed cornflakes close to each other on the worktop so it's easy to handle.
Step 5: Dip each chicken piece into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated.
Step 6: Then roll it in the crushed cornflakes, pressing lightly to help the coating adhere.
Step 7: Place the coated chicken bites onto the prepared baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
Step 8: Serve them with your favourite sauce.
- A full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
💭 Expert Tips
- Avoid overcrowding: Spread the chicken bites in a single layer on the rack to ensure a crispy texture.
- Choose the right cut: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juicier bites.
- Marinate: Soak the chicken in a mix of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper for at least 30 minutes.
- Cut into pieces: Slice the thighs into uniform, bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Preheat the oven: Set it to 392°F (200°C) for a crispy, golden exterior.
- Use a baking rack: Place the chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet to allow even air circulation.
- Season well: Add spices like paprika, garlic powder, or herbs just before roasting.
- Love Grilled Chicken? For another crowd-pleaser, try my chicken satay with peanut sauce - perfect for parties or weeknight dinners.
Serving Suggestions
- Dipping Sauces: Try my no-oil, 3-ingredient high-protein mayo. Perfect for dipping, spreading, or drizzling!
- Salad: Serve with a fresh Greek tomato cucumber salad and a light vinaigrette.
Storage
These chicken nuggets can be stored in an airtight container labelled with the cooking date for up to 3-4 days. Ensure refrigeration within 2 hours after cooking. For longer storage, place them in the freezer for 1-3 months.
❓ FAQs
Yes, you can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts. Thighs have more fat, making them juicier and more flavorful. Just cut them into similar-sized pieces and follow the same coating and baking process. Adjust the baking time if needed, as thighs may take slightly longer to cook through.
Yes, you can make cornflake chicken nuggets in an air fryer. Follow the same preparation steps as for baking. Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F). Place the coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't touch. Cook for about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the nuggets are crispy and cooked through.
Cornflake chicken nuggets pair well with a variety of dipping sauces, such as honey mustard, barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, or a simple mix of mayonnaise and Sriracha for a spicy kick.
Yes, you can prepare cornflake chicken nuggets ahead of time. After coating the chicken pieces with cornflakes, place them on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to cook, bake them directly from frozen at 200°C (400°F) for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
They might not look exciting the next day, but with a little creativity, you can give them a whole new role in your next meal.
One of my go-to moves: chop them up and toss them into a quick fried rice or stir-fry. Those crispy bits add great texture, and honestly, my kids go wild every time I make it. Super easy, zero waste, and way more fun than reheating them on their own
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📖 Recipe
Easy Baked Cornflake Chicken Nuggets
Video
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Tongs or Fork
- Knife and Cutting Board
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil.
- Slice the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, approximately 1-inch strips. Add them to a bowl and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Sprinkle some olive oil and mix everything. If you have time you can Refrigerate until used, so the meat can marinade. Usually around 30 minutes.2 chicken breasts, 1 teaspoon Paprika, 1 teaspoon Garlic powder, Salt and pepper, 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, flour, and a splash of milk, until a smooth batter forms. Season the mixture with salt, pepper, paprika, chilli powder, and garlic powder according to your taste preferences.2 eggs, 2 tablespoon flour, 1 tablespoon milk
- Crush the corn flakes in a separate bowl until they become coarse crumbs. You can do this by placing the corn flakes in a sealed plastic bag and crushing them with a rolling pin or by using a food processor.250 g corn flakes
- Dip each chicken piece into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated. Then roll it in the crushed corn flakes, pressing lightly to help the coating adhere.
- Place the coated chicken bites onto the prepared baking sheet, making sure to leave space between each piece.
- Drizzle the chicken bites with olive oil or lightly spray them with cooking spray. This will help them become crispy during baking.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is golden brown and crispy.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken bites from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
- Serve the roasted chicken bites as a delicious appetizer or snack. They can be enjoyed on their own or served with your favorite dipping sauce. I served them with a mix of mayonnaise and Sriracha.
- Enjoy your homemade roasted chicken bites!
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut evenly and pat dry.
- Crush cornflakes finely but not into powder-mix in spices or Parmesan for extra taste.
- Set up a breading station with seasoned flour, beaten eggs, and cornflakes, using one hand for dry and one for wet.
- Bake on a wire rack over a baking sheet and lightly spray with oil for extra crispiness.
- Customize with spices like cayenne or Italian seasoning, or use gluten-free alternatives if needed.
- Serve with honey mustard, BBQ, or ranch and sides like fries or salad.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven or air fryer to keep them crispy.
- For a kid-friendly version, let kids help with coating and adjust seasoning to their taste.
- Freeze uncooked coated nuggets for later and bake from frozen with extra time.
- For a lighter option, use egg whites instead of whole eggs.
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
My family loved this!
Claudia Ciorteanu says
My family loved this!
Razvan says
I love these chicken bites, definitely adding this recipe to my favourites!
Swathi says
Love this cripsy golden roast chicken bite, my chicken nuggets fan approved it. He asked me to make more.
Alex says
I made this recipe for my kids and they LOVED it! I had all the ingredients in my kitchen, this recipe is so easy to make.
Tisha says
These turned out great! Easy to follow recipe as well!!
Elizabeth says
These nuggets were so good - my toddler loved them! Such great flavor!
DK says
I'm obsessed with how crispy the cornflake coating is! This is such a perfect treat for myself when I just want to create an easy yet comforting delicious chicken recipes. Will definitely do this again!
Nicole Kendrick says
I love how crispy the cornflake coating is on the outside. It has a nice flavor that's a little different from traditional bread, too. I like it!
Swathi says
Baked roast chicken bites looks delicious. Perfect treat for superbowl.
Dawn Abalos says
These homemade golden roast chicken bites are an absolute winner! Tried this recipe, and my kids absolutely love it. The crispy exterior combined with the juicy tenderness of the chicken makes it a delightful treat for the entire family.
Andréa says
These chicken bites with a golden cornflakes crust were so flavorful and crispy. The kids just couldn't get enough of them. This was certainly a recipe I'm going to make more often!
Nora says
Cornflake chicken nuggets are the best! Thank you for this wonderful recipe! They turned out perfectly!
Gloria says
I am always on the hunt for delicious chicken recipes. These chicken bites sound like the perfect main or appetizer. I think I will make them for game night. They will be a hit with the family.