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Your dinner salad could use a little something. And we’re here to tell you that that something is chicken nuggets. It’s not about grilling or poaching a chicken breast or even pulling tender meat from a rotisserie chicken you bought at the store. Those have a time and place, but when you’re seeking true, unvarnished food joy, it’s time to reach into the freezer for that breaded childhood classic. Ranch dressing optional.
We first started making chicken nugget salad when our children were in their picky toddler years. Desperate for a break from dinnertime drama over such egregious parenting mistakes like mixing pasta with red sauce (the nerve!), frozen chicken nuggets became a dinner mainstay. At first they were just for the kids, but before we knew it, in an effort to avoid prepping multiple nightly meals, we were eating chicken nuggets too. It wasn’t so bad at first—in fact, it was kind of great—but there’s only so many times that chicken nuggets and carrot sticks can feel like a satisfying dinner for adults. Thus, the chicken nugget salad was born.
Our kids used to only eat chicken nuggets, carrot sticks, or cucumbers picked out of the salad when they were younger. And we totally counted that as a veggie win. Meanwhile, we were able to enjoy a hearty salad topped with crispy chicken. It was clear right away that chicken nugget salad is a great family meal because it’s quick, easy, tasty, and filling. Plus, now that our kids are older, they actually prefer a composed chicken nugget salad versus the ketchup-and-carrot-sticks version of their early youth. A win with distracted tweens and brooding teens!.
The best part about chicken nugget salad, though, is that it isn’t just about kowtowing to young eaters. Chicken nuggets really do make salads more delicious. And it doesn’t get easier than having golden brown chicken on stand-by in your freezer. Toss your favorite nuggets onto a sheet pan (or in the air fryer) and they’ll crisp while you prep some greens, chop cucumbers, crumble cheese, and shake up a dressing. Feeling fancy? While the nuggets cook, you can roast potatoes or green beans at the same time.
Chicken nuggets often get a bad rap as a processed, unhealthy fast food. But these bite-sized pieces of breaded and fried poultry can actually offer a surprising amount of versatility in the kitchen. With a little creativity, you can transform basic chicken nuggets into all sorts of delicious dishes that go way beyond just dipping them in ketchup.
In this article, we’ll explore how to unleash the potential of chicken nuggets. We’ll cover cooking tips, recipe ideas, and FAQs to help you make the most of this humble yet mighty ingredient. Read on to learn how chicken nuggets can become the basis for appetizers, main courses, and more!
Beyond the Drive-Thru: Unleashing the Potential of Chicken Nuggets
The key to getting creative with chicken nuggets is to think beyond heating up a frozen bag in the oven. When treated as an ingredient rather than a convenience food, chicken nuggets can add protein, flavor, and texture to all kinds of dishes. Their mild flavor and tender, bite-sized shape make them perfect for incorporating into tacos, salads, pizzas, pastas, and stir fries. With the right sauces, spices, and mix-ins, you can transform basic nuggets into restaurant-worthy meals.
A Nugget Renaissance: Embracing Versatility
It’s great that chicken nuggets can be used in a lot of different ways. You don’t have to worry about cooking the chicken right because they are already fully cooked. Instead, you can focus on adding flavors and textures. Nuggets can soak up spices, herbs, and marinades exceptionally well. Because they are small and don’t taste strong, they go well with strong sauces and dips. There are so many choices, from sweet honey mustard to tangy buffalo sauce.
You can also chop nuggets up and use them as a substitute for chicken in recipes like casseroles, pastas, tacos, stir fries, and more. Think of them as convenient pre-cooked, pre-cut chicken ready to mix and match however you please. With an open mind, you’ll find the potential uses for chicken nuggets are limited only by your creativity.
From Snack to Statement: Elevating the Humble Nugget
If you want to really impress dinner guests or spice up a weeknight meal at home, try transforming basic chicken nuggets into elegant appetizers and entrées. For example, you can create chicken cordon bleu bites by wrapping nuggets with ham and cheese and baking until melted and gooey Another idea is chicken parmesan lollipops, made by skewering nuggets with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and drizzling with balsamic reduction.
You can also bread or bake plain nuggets and drizzle with unique sauces like chipotle honey or chimichurri to instantly elevate them. Serve these sophisticated appetizers at your next cocktail party for guaranteed rave reviews from guests. For the main course, use nuggets as a topping for pizzas, pastas, or grain bowls paired with fresh vegetables. With a little finesse, humble chicken nuggets become haute cuisine!
Getting Creative in the Kitchen: Nugget Recipe Inspiration
Here are some specific ideas and recipes you can use to turn plain chicken nuggets into tasty meals:
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To make nugget Parmigiana, put marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese on top of baked nuggets. Broil until bubbly and golden. Serve over pasta or zucchini noodles.
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Nugget Tacos – Chop nuggets and mix with taco seasoning, salsa, lettuce, cheese, guacamole, and sour cream. Stuff into soft tortillas or crunchy taco shells.
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Nugget Salad: Cut up nuggets and sprinkle them on top of a fresh salad with cheese, lettuce, and vegetable Drizzle with your favorite dressing for an easy protein-packed meal.
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Nugget Stir Fry – Slice nuggets and stir fry with fresh veggies like broccoli, carrots, peppers and teriyaki or sweet chili sauce. Serve over rice or noodles.
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Nugget Sliders – Tuck crispy nuggets into mini buns with pickles, cheese, and special sauce for an easy finger food.
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Nugget Appetizers – Thread nuggets onto skewers with cheese cubes, grapes, olives, and nuts and serve with chimichurri dipping sauce.
The possibilities are endless, so unleash your inner chef! Chicken nuggets are your shortcut to conveniently delicious homemade meals.
FAQs: Your Nugget Questions, Answered
If you’re new to cooking with chicken nuggets, you probably have some questions. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked queries about making the most of nuggets:
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How do I get crispy nuggets when reheating? Oven or air fryer reheating is best for maintaining crispy texture. Avoid the microwave which makes them soggy.
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Can I use different brands of nuggets? Absolutely! Experiment with different shapes, breadings, and flavors. Adjust cook times as needed.
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What dipping sauces go well with nuggets? Think beyond ketchup and ranch. Try sriracha mayo, honey mustard, sweet chili sauce, or chimichurri for flavorful options.
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Can I use nuggets in casseroles and pastas? Yes, dice or shred nuggets to use in place of chicken in many recipes.
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How can I add more flavor? Toss plain nuggets in a mix of spices, herbs, sauces, or marinades before or after cooking.
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Are nuggets healthy? Baked or air fried nuggets are better than fried. Balance with veggies and whole grains for a well-rounded meal.
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Can I make vegetarian nuggets? Yes, brands like Morningstar Farms make soy- and veggie-based nuggets to sub for chicken.
Satisfying and Simple Meals Are Only a Nugget Away
Chicken nuggets may seem bland and boring on their own, but as you can see, they can be the basis for all kinds of easy yet delicious dishes. With a few extra ingredients and a bit of creativity in the kitchen, basic nuggets are transformed into crave-worthy appetizers, sandwiches, pastas, tacos, and more.
So next time you have a bag of nuggets handy, challenge yourself to think beyond just dipping them in ketchup. With the recipes and advice in this article, you can unleash the full flavor potential of chicken nuggets for happy diners of all ages. Nugget-centered meals offer the satisfying flavors of homemade cooking with the convenience you need for busy weeknights.
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Which are the best chicken nuggets for salad?
Having spent over 10 years making chicken nugget salad regularly, we can tell you that not every frozen chicken nugget is created equally. We’re partial to Just Bare and Bell & Evans; their chicken breast nuggets are both coated with a peppery, tender-crisp breading. If you eat gluten-free (and even if you don’t), the Caulipower Spicy(ish) Chicken Tenders are delicious too. Yes, dino nuggets are tempting, but their softer texture doesn’t hold up in a loaded salad. Whichever nuggets you choose, slice or dice them before serving.
Pick your flavor combo
A classic-ish Cobb is our go-to starting point for a crowd-pleasing chicken nugget salad. It’s easy to make your own for picky and hungry eaters alike because it has a lot of different parts, like bacon, hard-boiled egg, cheese, and lots of vegetables. That said, we’ve tried many versions over the years; chicken nuggets kind of go with… anything. They are a blank canvas to your wildest salad dreams. Here are some combinations to get you started, but don’t let our ideas limit you. You’re the Monet here, and chicken nuggets are your muse!.
While the nuggets cook on one sheet pan, roast tiny potatoes and green beans on another one. Serve all three over a bed of mixed greens, with Kalamata olives and diced, fresh tomatoes. Finish it off with a lemony vinaigrette, plus capers for a touch of sophistication. Yes, we’re calling a chicken nugget salad sophisticated and we stand by it!Sorta Kinda Nashville Hot Chicken Salad.
This version really shines on super crisp, roughly chopped romaine hearts. Right after the nuggets come out of the oven, drizzle them with your favorite hot sauce (we like Frank’s Red Hot) and toss them on the pan to coat well. Place a lot of chopped celery on top of the salad. Add blue cheese and your favorite creamy dressing. We always go with ranch. Nugget Nacho Salad.
Yes, it’s a mix of nachos and nuggets, and we’re not sorry about it! Add black beans, avocado, corn, and pico de gallo to your salad greens. Top with chicken nuggets, crushed tortillas chips, and crumbled queso fresco. We love this with a cilantro-lime vinaigrette, but have been tempted to try substituting the vinaigrette with queso and lime juice. Too much? Perhaps, but we think chicken nugget salad can handle it. The Big Italian Chop.
After crisping up your nuggets, chop them up along with jarred marinated artichokes, roasted red peppers, and tangy, spicy peperoncini. Toss your salad greens with a garlicky, creamy red wine vinaigrette (we like adding a little mayo to a basic vinaigrette to thicken it) and top with thinly sliced red onion, olives, and grated Parmesan.Chicken Panzanella
Pairing crispy chicken and hunks of toasted bread pretty much guarantees satisfaction. Toss both with tomato wedges, red onion, cucumber, and a handful of fresh basil for a super (dare we say?) seasonal summer meal.Chicken and Waffles Cobb
While your nuggets cook, crisp some bacon (in the oven is easiest). Toast some freezer waffles, too, and cut them into bite-size pieces. Shake up a maple-mustard dressing and build a salad of red leaf lettuce, crumbled bacon, canned or steamed-from-frozen corn kernels, and Colby Jack cheese. Top with chicken nuggets and waffle “croutons.”