Baked Chicken Nuggets

(306)
Prep Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Servings:
4

Nuggets are a home run with kids, but admit it, you love them too. These are baked, so you can enjoy them guilt-free. A three-step breading method -- coating chicken pieces in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs -- seals in moisture and gives a crisp crunch without a lot of added fat.

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound total)

  • 1 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)

  • cup grated Parmesan

  • Coarse salt

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour

  • 3 large eggs, lightly beaten

  • Cooking spray

  • Honey Mustard or Spicy Ketchup, for serving (see Cook's Notes below)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut chicken into 2-inch pieces. Spread panko on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a shallow dish, then add Parmesan and 1/2 teaspoon salt; drizzle with oil and stir to combine.

  2. Place flour and eggs in separate shallow dishes. Increase temperature to 450 degrees.

  3. Set a wire rack in a rimmed baking sheet; lightly coat rack with cooking spray. In batches, coat chicken in flour, shaking off excess, dip in egg, then coat with panko, pressing to adhere. Place on rack.

  4. Bake until chicken is cooked through, 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Serve nuggets with sauce.

    baked-chicken-nuggets-med108164.jpg
    Romulo Yanes

Cook's Notes

Honey Mustard
Combine 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard and 2 tablespoons each mayonnaise and honey.

Spicy Ketchup
Combine 1/4 cup ketchup; 3 tablespoons spicy chili sauce, such as Sriracha; and 2 tablespoons mayonnaise.

Originally appeared: Everyday Food, April 2012

Related Articles