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Crispy Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe Easy Baked to Perfection

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These crispy homemade chicken nuggets are baked to golden perfection with a crunchy panko coating and juicy chicken inside. Perfect for quick lunches, snacks, or family gatherings without the deep-fryer hassle.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup (100g) panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup (65g) all-purpose flour (use gluten-free flour if needed)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Olive oil spray or any neutral oil spray
  • Optional: 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon fresh herbs (parsley or thyme), chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top if available.
  2. Prepare the breading stations: place flour in one shallow bowl, beaten eggs in a second, and combine panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and Parmesan (if using) in a third bowl.
  3. Trim excess fat from chicken breasts and cut into roughly 1½-inch (3.5 cm) pieces, keeping sizes uniform.
  4. Dredge each chicken piece in flour, shaking off excess, dip into beaten eggs, then press into the breadcrumb mixture to coat evenly. Place coated nuggets on the wire rack or baking sheet.
  5. Arrange nuggets spaced slightly apart to allow air circulation.
  6. Lightly spray the nuggets with olive oil spray to help crisping.
  7. Bake for 15 minutes, flipping nuggets halfway through (7-8 minutes) and spraying again with oil.
  8. Check that nuggets are golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If no thermometer, cut one open to ensure no pink remains.
  9. Let nuggets rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute and coating to set.

Notes

If panko isn’t browning enough, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end but watch closely to avoid burning. Flipping halfway through baking ensures even crispiness, especially without a wire rack. Refrigerate breaded nuggets for 15-20 minutes before baking to help coating stick better. Avoid microwaving leftovers to maintain crispiness; reheat in oven or air fryer instead.

Nutrition

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Find it online: https://lunafeast.com/crispy-homemade-chicken-nuggets-recipe-easy-baked-to-perfection/