Name: Baked Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Ingredients: 1 ¼ cup Bread Crumbs: The foundation of our crispy coating! Bread crumbs are crucial for achieving that signature nugget texture. For this recipe, we recommend using panko bread crumbs. Panko crumbs are Japanese-style bread crumbs that are larger and flakier than regular bread crumbs. This unique texture results in a much crispier coating when baked. If you only have regular bread crumbs on hand, you can still use them, but the nuggets might not be quite as crispy. You can also use Italian seasoned bread crumbs for a slightly different flavor profile, just be mindful of the added salt and adjust the salt in the recipe accordingly. Substitution & Variation: For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free panko bread crumbs or almond flour mixed with a bit of cornstarch. Crushed cornflakes or potato chips can also be used for a fun, crunchy variation, though the flavor will be different. Experiment with different types of bread crumbs to find your family’s favorite texture and taste.; 1 teaspoon Salt: Salt is the unsung hero of flavor! It enhances all the other ingredients and is essential for bringing out the savory taste of the chicken. We recommend using table salt or sea salt. If using kosher salt, you might need to use a bit more as it’s less dense than table salt. Variation: For a touch of smoky flavor, try using smoked sea salt. You can also adjust the amount of salt to your preference, but remember that salt is crucial for flavor development, so don’t skimp too much!; ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder: Garlic powder adds a wonderful savory depth and aroma to the chicken nuggets. It provides a subtle garlic flavor that isn’t overpowering but perfectly complements the chicken and bread crumbs. Granulated garlic can also be used as a substitute. Variation: For a stronger garlic flavor, you can increase the garlic powder slightly. You can also experiment with other dried spices like onion powder, smoked paprika, or even a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little kick. For fresh garlic flavor, consider adding a clove of minced garlic to the melted butter, but be careful not to burn it.; ½ teaspoon Black Pepper: Black pepper adds a touch of spice and complexity to the flavor profile. It balances the saltiness and garlic powder, creating a well-rounded taste. Freshly ground black pepper is always preferable for the best flavor, but pre-ground black pepper works just fine as well. Variation: Experiment with different types of pepper, like white pepper for a milder flavor or cracked black pepper for a bolder, more peppery bite. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.; 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 ½ inch sized pieces: The star of the show! Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are lean, tender, and perfect for making nuggets. Cutting them into 1 ½ inch pieces ensures they cook evenly and are the ideal bite-sized nugget shape. Make sure to use fresh, high-quality chicken breasts for the best taste and texture. Substitution & Variation: You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a richer, more flavorful nugget. Chicken thighs are slightly fattier than chicken breasts, which can result in even juicier nuggets. If using chicken thighs, trim off any excess fat before cutting them into pieces. For smaller nuggets, cut the chicken into smaller pieces. For larger, more substantial nuggets, cut them slightly larger.; ¼ cup melted unsalted butter: Melted butter is the secret ingredient for adding richness, flavor, and helping the bread crumbs adhere to the chicken. Unsalted butter is recommended so you can control the overall saltiness of the recipe. Melting the butter allows it to evenly coat the chicken pieces, ensuring a consistent and flavorful coating. Substitution & Variation: For a dairy-free option, you can use melted olive oil or coconut oil. Olive oil will add a slightly savory flavor, while coconut oil will impart a subtle coconut aroma (which is delicious!). You can also use vegan butter substitutes. For a richer flavor, try using brown butter – simply melt the butter and continue cooking it until it turns a nutty brown color, being careful not to burn it.; Cooking spray: Cooking spray is essential for preventing the nuggets from sticking to the baking sheet and for encouraging even browning and crisping. Non-stick cooking spray is recommended. Substitution: If you don’t have cooking spray, you can lightly grease the baking sheet with olive oil or another cooking oil.

Ingredients

1 ¼ cup Bread Crumbs: The foundation of our crispy coating! Bread crumbs are crucial for achieving that signature nugget texture. For this recipe, we recommend using panko bread crumbs. Panko crumbs are Japanese-style bread crumbs that are larger and flakier than regular bread crumbs. This unique texture results in a much crispier coating when baked. If you only have regular bread crumbs on hand, you can still use them, but the nuggets might not be quite as crispy. You can also use Italian seasoned bread crumbs for a slightly different flavor profile, just be mindful of the added salt and adjust the salt in the recipe accordingly.
- Substitution & Variation: For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free panko bread crumbs or almond flour mixed with a bit of cornstarch. Crushed cornflakes or potato chips can also be used for a fun, crunchy variation, though the flavor will be different. Experiment with different types of bread crumbs to find your family’s favorite texture and taste.

1 teaspoon Salt: Salt is the unsung hero of flavor! It enhances all the other ingredients and is essential for bringing out the savory taste of the chicken. We recommend using table salt or sea salt. If using kosher salt, you might need to use a bit more as it’s less dense than table salt.
- Variation: For a touch of smoky flavor, try using smoked sea salt. You can also adjust the amount of salt to your preference, but remember that salt is crucial for flavor development, so don’t skimp too much!

½ teaspoon Garlic Powder: Garlic powder adds a wonderful savory depth and aroma to the chicken nuggets. It provides a subtle garlic flavor that isn’t overpowering but perfectly complements the chicken and bread crumbs. Granulated garlic can also be used as a substitute.
- Variation: For a stronger garlic flavor, you can increase the garlic powder slightly. You can also experiment with other dried spices like onion powder, smoked paprika, or even a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little kick. For fresh garlic flavor, consider adding a clove of minced garlic to the melted butter, but be careful not to burn it.

½ teaspoon Black Pepper: Black pepper adds a touch of spice and complexity to the flavor profile. It balances the saltiness and garlic powder, creating a well-rounded taste. Freshly ground black pepper is always preferable for the best flavor, but pre-ground black pepper works just fine as well.
- Variation: Experiment with different types of pepper, like white pepper for a milder flavor or cracked black pepper for a bolder, more peppery bite. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.

4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 ½ inch sized pieces: The star of the show! Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are lean, tender, and perfect for making nuggets. Cutting them into 1 ½ inch pieces ensures they cook evenly and are the ideal bite-sized nugget shape. Make sure to use fresh, high-quality chicken breasts for the best taste and texture.
- Substitution & Variation: You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a richer, more flavorful nugget. Chicken thighs are slightly fattier than chicken breasts, which can result in even juicier nuggets. If using chicken thighs, trim off any excess fat before cutting them into pieces. For smaller nuggets, cut the chicken into smaller pieces. For larger, more substantial nuggets, cut them slightly larger.

¼ cup melted unsalted butter: Melted butter is the secret ingredient for adding richness, flavor, and helping the bread crumbs adhere to the chicken. Unsalted butter is recommended so you can control the overall saltiness of the recipe. Melting the butter allows it to evenly coat the chicken pieces, ensuring a consistent and flavorful coating.
- Substitution & Variation: For a dairy-free option, you can use melted olive oil or coconut oil. Olive oil will add a slightly savory flavor, while coconut oil will impart a subtle coconut aroma (which is delicious!). You can also use vegan butter substitutes. For a richer flavor, try using brown butter – simply melt the butter and continue cooking it until it turns a nutty brown color, being careful not to burn it.

Cooking spray: Cooking spray is essential for preventing the nuggets from sticking to the baking sheet and for encouraging even browning and crisping. Non-stick cooking spray is recommended.
- Substitution: If you don’t have cooking spray, you can lightly grease the baking sheet with olive oil or another cooking oil.

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C: Starting with a properly preheated oven is crucial for even cooking and crispy nuggets. Make sure your oven reaches the correct temperature before you start baking. Using an oven thermometer can help ensure accuracy.
- Tip: While the oven preheats, you can prepare the bread crumb mixture and cut the chicken, making the process more efficient.

In a large bowl, mix together bread crumbs, salt, garlic powder, and pepper: This is the dry coating for your nuggets. Using a large bowl provides ample space to mix the ingredients thoroughly and easily coat the chicken later. Ensure the spices are evenly distributed throughout the bread crumbs for consistent flavor in every nugget.
- Tip: Whisk the dry ingredients together to ensure they are fully combined and there are no clumps of spices. This will help create a more even coating.

Dip chicken pieces in melted butter and dip into bread crumb mixture: This two-step coating process is key to achieving crispy and flavorful nuggets. First, the melted butter acts as a binder, helping the bread crumbs adhere to the chicken. It also adds moisture and richness. Second, the bread crumb mixture provides the crispy outer layer. Dip each piece of chicken completely in the melted butter, allowing excess butter to drip off slightly before dredging it in the bread crumb mixture. Press the bread crumbs gently onto the chicken to ensure they stick well.
- Tip: Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the bowl and ensure each piece of chicken is fully coated. Use one hand for dipping in butter and the other for dredging in bread crumbs to keep your hands cleaner.

Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and place nuggets on sheet. Spray top of nuggets with cooking spray: The cooking spray on the baking sheet prevents sticking and promotes even browning on the bottom of the nuggets. Placing the nuggets in a single layer ensures they bake evenly and become crispy on all sides. Spraying the tops of the nuggets with cooking spray adds a touch of extra moisture and helps them brown beautifully in the oven.
- Tip: Use a baking sheet with a rim to prevent any butter or juices from dripping into the oven. Space the nuggets out evenly on the baking sheet, leaving a little room between each piece for air circulation.

Bake for 20 minutes: Baking at 400°F/200°C for 20 minutes is generally sufficient to cook the chicken through and achieve a golden brown, crispy coating. However, cooking times can vary depending on oven temperature and the size of your nuggets.
- Tip: Check the internal temperature of the chicken nuggets with a meat thermometer to ensure they are cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F/74°C. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of a nugget. If the nuggets are browning too quickly, you can loosely tent the baking sheet with foil to prevent burning.

Serve and Enjoy! Once baked, these chicken nuggets are best enjoyed immediately while they are still warm and crispy. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces and sides for a complete and satisfying meal or snack.
- Tip: Let the nuggets cool slightly on the baking sheet for a minute or two before serving. This will help them crisp up further.

Nutrition

Serving Size: One Normal Portion
Calories: 350-400 kcal
Sugar: 1-2g
Sodium: 500-600mg
Fat: 15-20g
Saturated Fat: 8-10g
Carbohydrates: 20-25g
Fiber: 2-3g
Protein: 35-40g
Cholesterol: 100-120mg