Easy Baked Chicken Nuggets are a healthier and more delicious alternative to traditional fried nuggets. By baking them in the oven, you can achieve a crispy exterior and a juicy interior without adding extra oil, making them a great option for families and anyone looking for a quick and easy meal. With this recipe, you can enjoy the same taste and texture as store-bought nuggets but with a homemade twist. Plus, you can customize them to your liking by trying different seasonings and breading combinations.
Ingredients:
* 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or tenders, cut into small nugget-sized pieces
* 1/2 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
* 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 1 egg
* 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/2 teaspoon paprika
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* Optional: herbs and spices of your choice (e.g. dried oregano, dried thyme, cumin, chili powder)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a shallow dish, mix together the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
3. In a separate dish, whisk together the egg, Greek yogurt, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper.
4. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, coating completely, then roll in the breadcrumb mixture to coat. Place the coated chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken nuggets and sprinkle with additional seasonings if desired.
6. Bake the chicken nuggets for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown.
7. Remove the nuggets from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
Tips:
* For crisper breading, try chilling the coated chicken nuggets in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before baking.
* Experiment with different seasonings and herbs to create unique flavor combinations, such as Cajun-style with paprika and garlic powder or Italian-style with oregano and thyme.
* Serve the nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ketchup, mustard, or ranch dressing.
* To make gluten-free nuggets, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and avoid using oats.
Variations:
* Spicy nuggets: Add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture for an extra kick.
* Honey mustard nuggets: Mix 1 tablespoon of honey with 1 tablespoon of mustard and brush over the nuggets during the last 5 minutes of baking.
* Lemon pepper nuggets: Mix 1 tablespoon of lemon zest with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and brush over the nuggets during the last 5 minutes of baking.
* Buffalo-style nuggets: Mix 1/4 teaspoon of buffalo wing sauce with 1 tablespoon of Frank's RedHot sauce and brush over the nuggets during the last 5 minutes of baking.
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