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.

Ingredients

Scale

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)

Instructions

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.
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.
Mix Breading. In a shallow dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs, grated parmesan, and herb blend if using. Mix thoroughly to blend flavors.
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.
Drain Chicken. Strain the chicken pieces from the buttermilk using a mesh strainer to remove excess liquid before dredging.
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.
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.
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.
Serve. Remove from oven and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces.
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