Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Have you been looking for a healthy homemade chicken nuggets recipe that compares to the texture of the frozen ones?

Here a recipe for healthy and fresh meals you can make to add variety into your family’s lunches and meals. Unlike store-bought lunches, they allow flexibility in portioning and choice of sides so you can customize each lunch to suit your family’s tastes and appetites.

Tip : Bake a whole batch of these chicken nuggets ahead of time, then store in the freezer in an airtight bag or container. Warm a serving in the microwave for 20-30 seconds to thaw before packing lunch. Fast & delicious!

Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe

For about 24 nuggets
Ingredients

• 1 lb ground chicken
• ¼ cup old-fashioned oats
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 teaspoon Zatarain’s Creole Seasoning, divided (optional) sub paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¾ cup breadcrumbs

Steps:

1. In a large bowl, combine chicken, oatmeal, half the grated parmesan (1/8 cup), half the Zatarain’s seasoning (or paprika) (1/2 teaspoon), garlic powder and pepper. Knead dry ingredients into ground chicken.
2. Moisten hands to prevent sticking and form 1 tablespoon of chicken mixture into a ball. Press into a cookie cutter for shaped nuggets or flatten with fingers for a basic nugget shape.
3. In small bowl, combine breadcrumbs with remaining Zatarain’s seasoning and grated parmesan.
4. Press nuggets into bread crumb mixture and turn over, patting crumbs into surface to coat evenly.
   –At this point you can freeze– or
5. To bake: Preheat oven to 375° F. Arrange nuggets on cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray or lined with parchment paper. Lightly spray nuggets themselves with cooking spray or olive oil for a crispier coating (optional). Bake 15-20 minutes, turning once, and checking – don’t overcook! These baked nuggets will not really brown (unless you pan fry in oil) – if browning is desired, place under broiler for a couple of minutes at the end of cooking.