These are the BEST crispy baked chicken nuggets you’ll ever make! This delicious, healthy chicken nuggets recipe takes just about 30 minutes from start to finish and uses simple ingredients like panko breadcrumbs, chicken breast and spices. Serve with honey mustard, ketchup or your favorite BBQ sauce. Kid-friendly and adult approved!.
I got a burn on my belly when I was pregnant thanks to these healthy baked chicken nuggets. Rewind to when I was pregnant with Sidney: I was making this exact recipe in a crop top when I bumped my 9-month belly into the HOT baking sheet. The scar is still there, which is one reason I’ll always remember making these tasty little tender bites.
Another reason I love them? Tony said they’re officially his favorite chicken nuggets. He couldn’t stop raving about them. And that’s saying a lot considering he basically lived off fast food for a few years post-college.
Chicken nuggets are a beloved comfort food for many Their crispy outer coating and tender, juicy chicken interior make them an irresistible snack or meal. But improperly cooked nuggets can be underwhelming or worse – unsafe to eat. So how long should you cook chicken nuggets to ensure they are properly cooked through while maintaining that satisfying crunch?
Optimal Cooking Times and Temperatures
Most sources say that 400°F is the best temperature for cooking chicken nuggets in an oven. At this temperature, the outside will get nice and crispy, but the inside won’t get too done.
As for cooking time, it depends on several factors:
-
Size and thickness of the nuggets: Bigger, thicker nuggets will take longer to cook than small, thinner ones. Follow package instructions for time adjustments based on nugget dimensions.
-
Frozen vs. thawed – Frozen nuggets require a few extra minutes of cooking compared to thawed nuggets. Add 2-3 minutes to the recommended cook time if starting with frozen nuggets. Never thaw before cooking.
-
Oven type – Standard ovens, convection ovens, toaster ovens, and air fryers all work well but may require slight timing adjustments.
For most regular frozen chicken nuggets in a standard oven, the sweet spot for doneness is around 10-15 minutes at 400°F. But always verify with a thermometer!
The Importance of Checking Internal Temperature
Even though time and sight can help, the only way to be sure that chicken nuggets are fully cooked is to use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature. Nuggets should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. To check, put the thermometer into the thickest part of a nugget, making sure not to touch any bone or fat pockets.
Monitoring temperature is crucial for food safety, killing potentially harmful bacteria. Undercooked chicken can make you very sick. Don’t rely solely on appearance or cook time.
Tips for Maximizing Crispiness
Beyond basic timing and temperature, there are some easy tricks to take your nuggets from limp to crispy perfection:
-
Use a wire rack. This lets air flow around the nuggets so they cook evenly.
-
Don’t overcrowd the pan – Too many nuggets touching will steam instead of crisp.
-
Flip halfway through cooking – Ensures both sides get evenly browned and crispy.
-
Spray with oil – A light coating of oil helps facilitate browning reactions.
-
Preheat properly – A fully preheated oven prevents uneven cooking.
-
Blot excess moisture – Gently blot nuggets with paper towels before cooking to remove surface moisture that inhibits crisping.
Adjusting for Different Oven Types
While standard ovens are most common, you can successfully cook chicken nuggets in just about any oven type with a few adjustments:
-
Convection Oven – Reduce temperature by 25°F. Convection fans promote fast, even cooking so time may be slightly reduced as well.
-
Toaster Oven – Closely monitor as toaster ovens can run hot. Expect quicker cook times.
-
Microwave – Not ideal. Will steam and lose crispiness. Use 50% power in short intervals if necessary.
-
Air Fryer – Reduce temperature to 350°F. Flip halfway. Mist with oil for crispiness.
FAQs About Cooking Chicken Nuggets
Q: Can I bake frozen chicken nuggets without thawing?
A: Yes! Most frozen nuggets are designed to go straight from freezer to oven. Just increase cook time by 2-3 minutes and verify internal temp.
Q: How do I get crispy chicken nuggets in the oven?
A: Crispier oven-baked nuggets come down to proper preheating, not overcrowding, oiling, flipping, and using a rack to promote air circulation.
Q: What temperature kills bacteria in chicken nuggets?
A: Chicken nuggets need to reach an internal temperature of 165°F to kill potentially harmful bacteria like salmonella. Use a thermometer to verify doneness.
Q: Why are my baked chicken nuggets soggy?
A: Soggy nuggets are often a result of overcrowding, cooking at too low of a temp, or the absence of a wire rack. Give them space in a single layer at 400°F on a rack.
Q: Can I reheat leftover baked chicken nuggets?
A: Yes, leftover nuggets can be reheated in the oven or air fryer. The microwave is not recommended as it makes them soggy. Reheat until 165°F.
Perfectly Cooked Nuggets Are Just Minutes Away
With the right time, temperature, and technique, you can easily achieve crunchy, delicious chicken nuggets baked to safe doneness in your own oven. Pay attention to internal temperature, allow for air circulation, and incorporate a few crisping tricks for the ultimate oven-baked nugget experience. In just 10-15 minutes, you can enjoy this fast, kid-friendly favorite without all the fat and mess of deep frying.
Ingredients in baked chicken nuggets
Not only is this healthy baked chicken nuggets recipe quick to make, dairy free, perfectly spiced and requires minimal ingredients that you might even have in your kitchen right now! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Chicken: I cut chicken breast into 1-inch cubes and remove the bones and skin.
- With panko breadcrumbs, the outside of the chicken nuggets gets nice and crispy. To keep the nuggets gluten-free, it’s easy to use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
- Olive oil cooking spray: this is also a key part of getting the outside crispy. You’ll learn why below.
- A little cayenne pepper (if you like your food spicy) and onion powder give these chicken nuggets their flavor. Salt and garlic powder finish them off.
- Eggs I used almond milk to keep the recipe dairy free!.
- Dips: For dipping, use any sauce you like, like honey mustard (try making your own with this recipe!), ketchup, or your favorite BBQ sauce.
Adult-friendly ways to enjoy homemade chicken nuggets
Chicken nuggets aren’t just for kids! Tony and I LOVE making extra to add to salads, bowls, and other foods for a tasty protein boost. Try adding these to:
