Description

Crispy, juicy, and kid-approved baked chicken nuggets made with simple ingredients like panko and parmesan. A healthier, cost-effective alternative to frozen nuggets that is ready in under 40 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch pieces)
1 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch uniform pieces and place in a large bowl.
Whisk buttermilk, salt, and pepper together, then pour over chicken. Marinate for at least 10 minutes (or up to 2 hours in the fridge).
Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with the marinated chicken, one with whisked eggs, and one with panko, parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne mixed together.
Dip a piece of chicken into the egg wash, then press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture to coat evenly. Place on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
Repeat with remaining chicken, ensuring nuggets are in a single layer without crowding.
Brush the tops of the nuggets with melted butter.
Bake for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the coating is golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.

Notes

For extra crispiness, use a wire rack to allow air circulation underneath the nuggets. Do not overcrowd the pan. You can freeze raw nuggets on a baking sheet before bagging them for later use. If using regular breadcrumbs instead of panko, the texture will be denser and less crispy.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: Approximately 6 nugg
Calories: 280
Sugar: 2
Sodium: 450
Fat: 10
Saturated Fat: 3
Carbohydrates: 18
Fiber: 1
Protein: 25

Keywords: chicken nuggets, baked chicken, kid-friendly recipes, healthy comfort food, weeknight dinner, panko chicken, homemade nuggets