Baked Crispy Parmesan Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Introduction

Crispy Parmesan Chicken Nuggets are a delicious, homemade alternative to the usual fast-food version. These baked nuggets are juicy inside and wonderfully crispy outside, flavored with Parmesan and herbs for extra taste. Perfect for a family meal or a party snack!

Ingredients

• 3 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 eggs (lightly beaten)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray it with nonstick cooking spray. Place a wire rack on top and spray that lightly as well.
2. Step 2: Pat the chicken breasts dry and cut them into 1½-inch pieces. Place them in a medium bowl, then sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Add the buttermilk and toss to coat the chicken evenly. Set aside to marinate briefly.
3. Step 3: In a shallow dish, mix together the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, and herb blend if using.
4. Step 4: Prepare three more shallow dishes: one with flour, one with melted butter, and one with the beaten eggs. You will have four dishes in total for dredging.
5. Step 5: Remove the chicken pieces from the buttermilk using a mesh strainer, allowing excess liquid to drip off.
6. Step 6: Set up your dredging station with dishes in this order: flour, butter, eggs, and breadcrumb mixture.
7. Step 7: Coat each piece of chicken first in flour, shaking off the excess. Then dip it into the melted butter, followed by the beaten eggs, and finally roll it thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture. Place each coated nugget on the wire rack. Repeat until all pieces are coated.
8. Step 8: Bake the nuggets on the middle oven rack for 20 to 30 minutes. Flip them over halfway through cooking, about 10 to 15 minutes in, for even crispiness.
9. Step 9: The nuggets are ready when they are golden brown, crispy, and cooked through. If you want them crispier, switch the oven to broil for a few minutes and watch carefully.
10. Step 10: Serve the nuggets hot with your favorite dipping sauces.
11. Step 11: Enjoy your crispy Parmesan chicken nuggets fresh from the oven!

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add smoked paprika or garlic powder to the breadcrumb mixture.
• Use panko breadcrumbs for the crispiest texture, but regular breadcrumbs work too.
• If you don’t have buttermilk, mix ½ cup milk with 1 teaspoon lemon juice and let sit for 5 minutes as a substitute.
• Try swapping Parmesan for Pecorino Romano for a sharper taste.
• For a lighter option, use olive oil spray instead of melted butter during dredging.

Storage

Store leftover nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them on a wire rack in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make the coating soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these nuggets gluten-free?

Yes, you can use gluten-free flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs as substitutes. Make sure your seasonings are also gluten-free to keep the nuggets safe for gluten-sensitive diets.

What dipping sauces go well with Parmesan chicken nuggets?

Classic choices include honey mustard, ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, or a spicy sriracha mayo. Choose your favorite or offer a variety for dipping fun.

Baked Crispy Parmesan Chicken Nuggets Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 80 reviews

• Author: Mariam
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings (approximately 24 nuggets) 1x

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Description

These Baked Chicken Nuggets are a healthier alternative to the fried version, featuring crispy, golden-brown nuggets coated with a savory parmesan and breadcrumb crust. Moist and flavorful inside, they are perfect for a family-friendly snack or meal, baked to perfection in the oven with no deep frying required.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Marinade

• 3 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse salt (divided)
• 1 teaspoon black pepper (divided)
• ½ cup buttermilk

Breading and Coating

• 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 eggs (lightly beaten)

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet. Heat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray. Place a wire rack on top of the sheet and lightly spray the rack to prevent sticking.
2. Prep Chicken. Pat the chicken breasts dry, then cut into 1½-inch pieces. Place pieces in a medium bowl and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper, then pour in the buttermilk and mix well to coat evenly. Set aside to marinate.
3. Mix Breading. In a shallow dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs, grated parmesan, and herb blend if using. Mix thoroughly to blend flavors.
4. Prepare Dipping Stations. Arrange three additional shallow dishes with flour, melted butter, and lightly beaten eggs. You will have four total dipping stations: flour, butter/egg mixture, and breadcrumb mixture.
5. Drain Chicken. Strain the chicken pieces from the buttermilk using a mesh strainer to remove excess liquid before dredging.
6. Coat Chicken. For each piece, first dredge in flour, shaking off excess. Then dip into the melted butter and egg mixture, and finally coat with the breadcrumb parmesan mixture. Place coated pieces on the wire rack.
7. Bake Nuggets. Place the baking sheet with the wire rack into the middle of the preheated oven. Bake for 20-30 minutes, turning the nuggets once halfway through (10-15 minutes) to ensure even browning.
8. Check Crispiness and Cook Through. Nuggets are done when golden brown, crispy, and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F. If you want extra crispiness, switch the oven to broil for a few minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
9. Serve. Remove from oven and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces.
10. Enjoy. Savor these healthier, crispy parmesan chicken nuggets fresh out of the oven!

Notes

• Use panko breadcrumbs for the crispiest texture.
• For best results, use high-quality freshly grated parmesan cheese.
• If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by mixing ½ cup milk with 1½ teaspoons lemon juice or vinegar and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
• Make sure not to overcrowd the wire rack to allow air circulation for even crisping.
• Turning the nuggets halfway through baking ensures even cooking and browning on all sides.
• If you prefer, you can skip the butter step and just dip in beaten eggs to reduce fat content.
• Check the internal temperature of chicken pieces with a meat thermometer for safety; it should reach 165°F (74°C).

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: baked chicken nuggets, crispy chicken nuggets, parmesan chicken nuggets, healthy chicken nuggets, oven baked chicken, homemade chicken nuggets