Description
Crispy ground chicken nuggets bring restaurant-quality comfort straight to home kitchens with minimal effort. Perfectly seasoned and golden-brown, these nuggets offer a delightful protein-packed meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (450g) ground chicken
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
Binding and Coating:
- 1/2 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk (optional, for moisture)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Cooking spray or additional olive oil (for baking or air frying)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200C (400F) and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet; for air fryer, set temperature to 180C (360F).
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend ground chicken with all seasonings, breadcrumbs, egg, and olive oil until uniformly combined.
- If the mixture appears dry, incorporate a splash of milk to enhance moisture and binding.
- Craft compact, uniform nugget shapes using hands or a spoon, ensuring consistent sizing for even cooking.
- Gently roll each nugget in panko breadcrumbs, applying gentle pressure to ensure complete and firm coating.
- Arrange nuggets on the prepared baking sheet or air fryer basket, maintaining slight separation between pieces.
- Lightly mist with cooking spray or delicately brush with olive oil to promote golden, crispy exterior.
- For oven method, roast 18-20 minutes, rotating midway to guarantee even browning and thorough internal cooking.
- In air fryer, cook 10-12 minutes, pausing to shake basket and ensure uniform crispness.
- Allow nuggets to rest briefly after cooking, then serve alongside preferred dipping condiment for optimal temperature and texture.
Notes
- Always use fresh ground chicken for the best flavor and texture, ensuring it’s not frozen or old.
- Adjust seasoning levels to personal taste, adding extra herbs or spices for more depth.
- Ensure chicken is thoroughly cooked by checking internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F) using a meat thermometer.
- For gluten-free version, substitute wheat breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 282 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 345 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg