Description
These Cheese Chicken Nuggets are a delicious, crispy, and cheesy homemade alternative to takeout nuggets. Made with ground chicken, cheddar, and parmesan cheeses, they are breaded with a mix of panko and parmesan for extra crunch, baked to golden perfection in just 30 minutes. Perfect as a snack or kid-friendly meal, these nuggets combine hearty flavors with easy preparation and baking for a healthier comfort food option.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Breading
- 3/4 to 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- Cooking spray (preferably avocado oil spray)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This setup ensures your nuggets cook evenly and don’t stick.
- Mix Nugget Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, shredded cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup grated parmesan, 1 egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly using clean hands until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Prepare Egg Wash: Lightly whisk the extra egg on a plate to make the egg wash, which helps the breading adhere to the nuggets.
- Make Breading Mixture: In a separate shallow bowl or plate, combine panko breadcrumbs and 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese evenly.
- Form Nuggets: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, portion out about 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture each. Shape each portion into an oval-shaped nugget with your hands, resulting in about 20 to 24 nuggets total.
- Coat Nuggets: Dip each shaped nugget into the egg wash to lightly coat, then press into the breadcrumb and parmesan mixture to bread thoroughly on all sides.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the breaded nuggets on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray the tops with avocado oil cooking spray to help them brown and crisp.
- Bake Nuggets: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Then flip each nugget, spray the other side lightly with cooking spray, and bake for an additional 8 to 10 minutes until the nuggets are golden brown and crispy.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, ensure the nuggets are evenly coated with cooking spray before and after flipping.
- You can swap cheddar cheese with mozzarella for a different cheesy flavor.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces such as honey mustard, ranch, or BBQ sauce for added taste.
- Leftover nuggets can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to retain crispness.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
