Homemade Chicken Nuggets with Ground Chicken are moist on the inside and crunchy on the outside. They are baked to perfection!
If you haven't noticed, I love creating healthier versions of our favorite childhood foods. I decided I wanted to create chicken nuggets because who didn't like chicken nuggets as a kid!?
You and your kids will love these homemade chicken nuggets!
Why you'll love homemade chicken nuggets with ground chicken:
These chicken nuggets are baked instead of fried.
They are made with minimal ingredients like ground chicken, panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and spices.
The inside of the nuggets are super moist. To obtain that classic juicy texture, we're soaking bread crumbs in milk before adding it to the ground chicken.
Ingredients overview:
- ground chicken - I recommend a lean percentage around 90% for moist chicken nuggets.
- panko bread crumbs - They help create that crunchy exterior. They are also my preferred bread crumb.
- milk - This is for soaking the bread crumbs and for the egg mixture.
- egg - Mixing egg with milk helps the bread crumbs stick to the nuggets.
- grated parmesan cheese - Adding cheese to the bread crumbs creates more flavor.
- mayo - A little bit of mayo helps keep the chicken moist. I love using avocado oil mayo from Primal Kitchen. Use code “FROZENBANANAS” at checkout for a discount.
- salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder - The seasonings for this recipe.
- avocado oil spray - A must to create the crispy texture!
How to make homemade chicken nuggets with ground chicken?
A complete list of ingredients, amounts and instructions is located on the recipe card below.
- First, preheat your oven to 450 degrees F.
- Next, add panko bread crumbs to a bowl with milk. Combine and set it aside.
- In another small bowl, whisk together an egg with milk.
- In a third small bowl, combine panko bread crumbs with parmesan cheese, salt and ground black pepper.
- In a larger bowl, place ground chicken with mayo, salt, ground black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder and the soaked bread crumbs.
- Combine with your hands. Do not overwork the meat. Mix until just combined.
- Pick up about 1 - 1 ½ tablespoons of meat with your hands and form the nuggets.
- Place them on a cutting board lined with parchment paper.
- Next, grab a baking sheet and an oven safe baking rack. Place the rack on top of the baking sheet. Spray it well with avocado oil to keep the nuggets from sticking.
- Dip each nugget into the egg mixture and then the bread crumb mixture.
- Place each one onto the prepared baking sheet with the rack.
- Spray the nuggets well with the oil spray.
- Bake them in the oven at 450 degrees F for 12 minutes. (gently turning once halfway through and spraying again)
- Then, move the tray to the top rack of the oven and broil on high for 6 minutes, turning halfway.
- Let them cool for 4 minutes before serving with your favorite dipping sauce!
Recipe pro-tips:
- Don't use super lean ground chicken or the nuggets will not be moist on the inside.
- Don't overmix the meat or the nuggets will be tough.
- The nuggets don't have to look perfect. It's more important that they are similar in shape so they cook evenly.
- Use one hand for the egg mixture and one hand for the bread crumbs to keep your hands from becoming breaded.
- Make sure you spray the rack well to keep the nuggets from sticking to it.
- It's also important to spray the nuggets well to get them nice and crispy.
Recipe variations:
You can use different seasonings to create different flavor profiles. For example, some Italian seasonings would be delicious. Get creative!
Dietary adaptations:
- gluten-free - Use gluten-free panko bread crumbs.
- dairy-free - Use dairy-free mayo, dairy-free milk and omit the parmesan cheese.
Storage and reheating directions:
- Store the nuggets in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
- Reheat the nuggets in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F for about 5 minutes, or until warm.
Homemade Chicken Nuggets with Ground Chicken
Homemade Chicken Nuggets with Ground Chicken are moist on the inside and crunchy on the outside. They are baked to perfection!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 5 tablespoons milk
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ tablespoon mayo
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 pinches ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 sprays avocado oil spray
Instructions
- First, preheat your oven to 450 degrees F. Next, add ¼ cup of panko bread crumbs to a bowl with 3 tablespoons of milk. Combine and set it aside. In another small bowl, whisk together an egg with 2 tablespoons of milk. In a third small bowl, combine ¾ cup of panko bread crumbs with ¼ cup of parmesan cheese, ¼ teaspoon of salt and a pinch of ground black pepper.
- In a larger bowl, place ground chicken with ½ tablespoon of mayo, ¼ teaspoon of salt, a pinch ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder and the soaked bread crumbs. Combine with your hands. Do not overwork the meat. Mix until just combined.
- Pick up about 1 - 1 ½ tablespoons of meat with your hands and form the nuggets. Place them on a cutting board lined with parchment paper. Next, grab a baking sheet and an oven safe baking rack. Place the rack on top of the baking sheet. Spray it well with avocado oil to keep the nuggets from sticking.
- Dip each nugget into the egg mixture and then the bread crumb mixture. Use one hand for the egg mixture and one hand for the bread crumbs to keep your hands from becoming breaded. Place each one onto the prepared baking sheet with the rack. Make sure there is space between each one. Spray the nuggets well with the oil spray.
- Bake them in the oven at 450 degrees F for 12 minutes. (gently turning once halfway through and spraying again) Then, move the tray to the top rack of the oven and broil on high for 6 minutes, turning halfway. Every oven is slightly different. If they aren’t browned enough after 6 minutes, add a bit more spray and broil for 1-2 more minutes per side.
- Let them cool for 4 minutes before serving with your favorite dipping sauce!
Notes
Nutrition info is per 1 chicken nugget.
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Chicken Nuggets with Ground Chicken
Amount Per Serving
Calories 72
Calories from Fat 27
% Daily Value*
Fat 3g5%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Trans Fat 0.01g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Cholesterol 29mg10%
Sodium 121mg5%
Potassium 121mg3%
Carbohydrates 6g2%
Fiber 0.3g1%
Sugar 0.2g0%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 49IU1%
Vitamin C 0.001mg0%
Calcium 17mg2%
Iron 0.2mg1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This nutrition information is an estimate and should not be taken as fact. The owner of this website is not liable for this estimation.
Tried this recipe?Tell me how it was!
Stephanie
Hi Krista! Enjoyed the chicken nuggets recently and they were delicious. Tender on the inside and crunchy on the outside.
Thanks for this recipe!
Awesome! 🙂
Kenzie
Delicious! So much better than store bought and even better than other homemade recipes I've tried. My kids loved them. My sister in law came by after I made them and ate a cold one off the kids plate and asked where I got them because they were so good!
Ah! That makes me so happy. 🙂
Shauna J
This recipe was a total hit! I love the way they came out, crispy outside with a moist inside. My whole family loved them!
Awesome! 🙂
Gina
Hi Krista ... quick question. Can I use fat free milk?
Hi Gina! Yes, no problem.
Lilly
I don’t have the baking rack, can I bake them directly on the sheet pan?
They will not crisp up in the same way. You can make them in the air fryer if you have one.
Faith Hart
Is the temp and cook time the same for air fryer as oven? Thank you.
I haven't made them in the air fryer but try 400 degrees F for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Sarah Chartier
Can I substitute regular bread crumbs? I don’t have panko on hand
Yes, that's fine they just won't be as crispy.
Georgina
Thankyou Krista
These nuggets are absolutely delicious, I made them for my 3 year old grandaughter who is a fussy eater and she loved them ( we all did) .
This recipe’s a keeper ..
Many thanks ..🌺
Yay! So glad. 🙂
Jessica Faga
We are really enjoying this recipe. Can the nuggets be frozen?
Love to hear it! Yes, after the nuggets have fully cooked, allow them to cool completely. To freeze, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a large freezer-safe bag or container.