Go Back
Homemade Baked Chicken Nuggets

Homemade Baked Chicken Nuggets

The ultimate comfort food that everyone loves, Homemade Baked Chicken Nuggets are crispy, tender, and packed with flavor. These easy-to-make nuggets are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun family gathering. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces, and you'll be making them frequently!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizers, Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

  • 3 pieces chicken breasts boneless, skinless
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse salt divided
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper divided
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs panko
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese grated, good quality
  • 1 teaspoon favorite herb blend optional
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup butter melted
  • 2 pieces eggs slightly beaten

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Grater
  • Blender
  • Baking Sheet
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Frying Pan

Method
 

  1. Heat oven to 400°F. Cover a rimmed cooking sheet with foil and spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray. Place a wire rack on the cooking sheet, and spray it lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Pat the chicken dry, cut it into 1½-inch pieces and place it in a medium bowl. Sprinkle the chicken with ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and add the buttermilk. Mix to coat all the chicken pieces. Set aside.
  3. In a shallow dish, combine breadcrumbs, parmesan, and herbs. Mix to combine.
  4. Place flour, butter, and eggs in separate shallow dishes. There will be 4 dipping dishes in total.
  5. Strain the chicken/buttermilk over a mesh strainer with a bowl underneath.
  6. Line up the dipping dishes; chicken, flour, butter/egg mixture, breadcrumb mixture.
  7. Dredge a chicken piece with flour and shake off any excess. Dip it in the butter/egg mixture and then the breadcrumb mixture. Place it on the wire rack. Repeat until all chicken has been coated.
  8. Place cooking sheet on the middle rack in the oven. Bake 20 to 30 minutes, turning after 10 to 15 minutes. Nuggets are done when golden brown, crispy, and cooked through.
  9. If nuggets aren't as crispy as you want after 30 minutes, set the oven to broil and cook a few minutes until desired crispiness. Serve hot with dipping sauces. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
  • Freezing: You can freeze uncooked nuggets for up to three months. Just coat them and freeze in a single layer before transferring to a bag.
  • Reheating: Reheat the nuggets in the oven for best results to retain crispiness.
  • Pairing: These nuggets pair wonderfully with a fresh salad or steamed vegetables.
  • Variations: Experiment with different spices in the breadcrumb coating for a unique flavor.