Homemade Ground Chicken Nuggets are tender, flavorful, and easy to make. Ground chicken is seasoned and coated in a Parmesan-breadcrumb mixture, then baked or air fried to golden perfection. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or snack!
Easy and perfectly golden brown homemade chicken nuggets
These crispy breaded chicken nuggets are a classic comfort food that everyone will love. Ground chicken is seasoned, coated in a flavorful Parmesan and breadcrumb mixture, and cooked until golden and perfectly crispy. The result? Tender, juicy chicken nuggets with a satisfying crunch on the outside. They taste delicious on their own but are also perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce. Great for kids, but adults will love them too! Pair with sweet potato fries for the perfect classic duo, or go with some side veggies for some extra nutrients.
Ingredients used to make homemade ground chicken nuggets
These chicken nuggets use an easy mix of ingredients! Though there are two parts, most of the ingredients are used in both, keeping the item list short. Below is everything you'll need.
Nuggets
- Chicken: These homemade chicken nuggets begin with a base of 1 lb of ground chicken.
- Parmesan cheese: Next, ¼ cup of parmesan cheese adds a delicious savory flavor.
- Breadcrumbs: ¼ cup of breadcrumbs help the chicken nuggets bind together properly. The breadcrumbs also contribute to the texture.
- Seasonings: Finally, add flavor to the nuggets by including ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of onion powder, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper.
- Cooking spray: Nonstick cooking spray will be used during baking. I prefer avocado oil spray.
Breading
- Eggs: 2 eggs will be used to help the breading process and will contribute to creating a nice crisp coating.
- Breadcrumbs: 1 cup of bread crumbs will form the crunchy outer layer of the nuggets.
- Parmesan: An additional ¼ cup of grated parmesan adds extra flavor and helps the breading brown beautifully.
- Seasonings: More seasonings will help create a delicious flavor. Use ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of onion powder, ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of pepper.
How to make these easy homemade ground chicken nuggets
Follow these easy steps to bread and cook the chicken nuggets to crispy golden perfection.
To begin preparing this recipe, preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Alternatively, preheat an air fryer to 400°F and spray the basket with nonstick spray.
In a large mixing bowl, mix all of the nugget ingredients until everything is well combined. Form the mixture into nugget shapes. You should end up with about 16 nuggets. Freeze for at least 10 minutes to help them keep their shape.
While the nuggets are in the freezer, whisk two eggs in a small mixing bowl. In another medium bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
After ten minutes, coat each nugget on both sides in the egg wash, and then immediately in the breadcrumb mixture. Press the nuggets into the breadcrumb mixture until they're evenly coated. Place each one on the baking sheet (or in air fryer if air frying).
Spray the nuggets with nonstick baking spray. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes, flip + spray, and bake for another 8 minutes, or until golden. If air frying, fry for 6 minutes, flip + spray, and fry for another 6 minutes, or until golden.
Serve with ketchup, mustard, bbq sauce, or buffalo sauce, or toss to coat!
Storing leftovers
Leftover chicken nuggets can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. When ready to eat, I recommend air frying them to restore their crispiness.
Recipe Tips
What should I use if I don't have breadcrumbs?
Breadcrumbs are an important part of making these chicken nuggets. However, if you find that you don't have any on hand, you can try using crushed crackers or pulsed rolled oats. Almond flour also works, especially if you're looking for a gluten-free option.
What is the secret to making chicken tender?
One way to get the perfect level of tenderness is to avoid overcooking. Be sure to bake or air fry just until golden. The eggs and salt will also help prevent dryness.
If you liked this recipe, you'll want to try these!
Looking for some more chicken dishes? From skillets to lasagna and everything in between, there are so many chicken recipes to explore! Here are some favorites.
Recipe by Erin Antoniak and Photos by Bake and Bacon
Homemade Ground Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400F and line baking sheet with parchment paper. Alternatively preheat air fryer to 400F and spray basket with nonstick spray.
- In a large bowl, mix together all nugget ingredients until well combined. Form into nugget shape, forming about 16 nuggets. Freeze for at least 10 minutes to set up.
- While freezing, whisk two eggs in a bowl. In another bowl, mix together breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- After ten minutes, coat each nugget on both sides in the each wash, then immediately in the breadcrumb mixture. Press into mixture until evenly coated. Place on baking sheet (or in air fryer if air frying)
- Spray nuggets with nonstick baking spray. Bake for 8 minutes, flip + spray, and bake for another 8 minutes or until golden. If air frying, fry for 6 minutes, flip + spray, and fry for another 6 minutes or until golden.
- Serve with ketchup, bbq sauce, buffalo sauce or toss to coat!
Felix Berger says
The 375°F oven temp is spot on — I've tried going higher thinking it'd crisp them up faster, but they just dried out. One thing I do differently is press the nuggets a bit thinner than the recipe suggests, maybe half an inch, so the inside cooks through before the outside browns too much. Honestly, tracking cook times for different thicknesses feels like riding the market — one wrong move and everything tanks. Works every time at the recommended temp though!
Erin says
Hi Felix, so happy you loved them!!
Carlos Ramirez says
Quick question — have you tried swapping the breadcrumbs for almond flour to make these gluten-free? I bake for a mixed crowd and always need a reliable workaround. Also curious if the patties hold their shape better when chilled before cooking, because mine tend to fall apart in the pan. Would love a troubleshooting guide for common texture issues — something like a community reference for tricky steps would honestly be so useful here.
shannon says
These are absolutely incredible Erin - I made them in the air fryer and they are a 10 out of 10 and even better than fast food!
Erin says
Hi Shannon, so happy you loved them!! 🙂
Liz says
These turned out great! I want to make some to keep in the freezer. Do you recommend freezing them before or after cooking?
Erin says
Hi Liz, so glad you liked them! I'd freeze after cooking and then just reheat before eating. 🙂
Meghan R says
These were so good and so easy to make! Big hit for our entire family. Made a big batch to keep in the freezer for quick meals for our 1 year old and they’re her favorite!
Erin says
Hi Meghan, so happy you all loved them!! 🙂
Jess J says
This was a huge hit in our house, for both myself and my 1.5 year old. My daughter has been a picky eater lately and she devoured these!
Erin says
Hi Jess, so glad everyone enjoyed them!!
Haley says
I made these last week for a quick lunch option and they were so easy and delicious! I had them with pasta as “chicken parm” one day. Definitely something I will be making again and again!
Erin says
Hi Haley, so happy you loved them!!
Emily Colatriano says
I just made these Friday night They were amazing!
Megan says
Amazing! Thank you Erin for yet again another wonderful recipe. Will be making these on repeat!
Erin says
Hi Megan, so glad you love them! 🙂
Megan says
These were great - I made them for my toddler but my husband kept stealing them! Will definitely make again. I wonder if you could incorporate veggies somehow for those picky toddlers!
Erin says
Hi Megan, so happy you all love them! Sounds like you need a double batch!!
Casey B says
Made these for my toddler, but ended up using them as my meal prep for the week! Easy recipe and lots of flavor.
Erin says
Hi Casey, so happy you both loved them!!
Skylar Wellbaum says
These were SO good & so easy!! My one year old looooved them and so did we! Will def be making again!!
Erin says
Hi Skylar, so happy you both loved them!!
Katie Mayock says
I'm so glad to have this recipe for whenever I want chicken nuggets, but don't want all the yucky ingredients that you typically find in frozen chicken nuggets!!
Erin says
Hi Katie, so happy you loved them!!
Cindy says
My picky toddler LOVED these!! Thank you!!
Erin says
Hi Cindy, so happy they were a hit! 🙂
Hillary says
So good!! Will def make again! I ran out of breadcrumbs and subbed crushed ritz. They were so crispy in the air fryer!
Erin says
Hi Hillary, so happy you loved them and made them your own!!
Kristen says
These are AMAZING!!! Huge hit at my house. Will definitely be putting these on the rotation. Can these be made ahead and stored in the freezer?
Erin says
Hi Kristen, so happy you all love them! Yes, for sure. I recommend air frying them to restore their crispiness when you make them to serve!
Shannon says
These turned out perfect! I even think I could have made them smaller like into 20-22 nuggets to make them more toddler bite sized. It would be interesting to try them in the air fryer but I did them in the oven and they still turned out great, and I like that it saved time by not having to do batches due to air fryer size. Will definitely make this a staple recipe in our house. Thank you!
Erin says
Hi Shannon, so glad you loved them!! 🙂
Emmy says
Sooo easy and so good! Followed recipe exactly and turned out perfect. Kiddos loved them 🙂
Erin says
Hi Emmy, so happy you all loved them! 🙂