Homemade Baked Chicken Nuggets Recipe (2024)

Now you can feel good about feeding your kids chicken nuggets - the crispy breading on these oven-baked Homemade Chicken Nuggets makes these a family-favorite! Freeze a batch for quick lunches or dinners.

Homemade Baked Chicken Nuggets Recipe (1)

Chicken nuggets were a staple in my life growing up, but my kids hate frozen chicken nuggets!

I guess that it is a blessing and a curse – a blessing because I don’t love how processed chicken nuggets are, but a curse because it sure would be nice to throw some nuggets in the oven and have them ready in a matter of minutes!

I saw this recipe a couple of years ago on local TV program and copied it down as fast as I could. I tweaked it until I loved it and it ended up being a huge hit with my kids (and husband!). And really, it is pretty quick to throw them together . . . once you try this easy recipe, you’ll never go back to frozen chicken nuggets.

These homemade chicken nuggets are also great to send to school for your kids’ lunch – they are as delicious cold as they are hot!

Try dipping these chicken nuggets in our Homemade Chick-Fil-A Sauce!

Homemade Baked Chicken Nuggets Recipe (2)

Ingredients in homemade baked chicken nuggets:

For this recipe, I use simple ingredients that you probably already have in your fridge and pantry.

  • corn flakes
  • grated Parmesan cheese
  • salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder
  • chicken breasts
  • flour
  • eggs
Homemade Baked Chicken Nuggets Recipe (3)

Are homemade chicken nuggets healthy?

The million dollar question – are these chicken nuggets healthy?

To me, these chicken nuggets are a MUCH healthier choice than any frozen chicken nugget you could get at the store.

I love that I know what is in each nugget – there are no weird ingredients or fillers (have you ever seen how some of the processed chicken nuggets are made? Watch this!).

By making your own chicken nuggets, you are getting less preservatives, less sodium, and less nitrates.

So to me, YES! These chicken nuggets are a LOT healthier than frozen chicken nuggets you can buy at the store.

Homemade Baked Chicken Nuggets Recipe (4)

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Watch how to make these Homemade Chicken Nuggets:

We have tons of easy, family-friendly recipes just like this one on our YouTube Channel!

How to freeze homemade chicken nuggets:

I love making a big batch of these chicken nuggets and then throwing them into the freezer for a quick lunch or dinner.

To freeze these chicken nuggets, prepare as outlined in the recipe.

Let the chicken nuggets cool and then place them in a single layer on a wire rack and place them in the freezer for 1 hour – this will keep the chicken nuggets from all sticking together when you place them in a bag in the freezer and pull out a couple for a quick lunch. If you don’t mind them all sticking together, you can skip this step.

Place all the chicken nuggets in a gallon-sized resealable freezer bag. They will be good in the freezer for 1-2 months.

To reheat chicken nuggets, preheat oven to 375 degrees and cook for 10-15 minutes. You could also pop them in the microwave for 60-90 seconds or until heated through.

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Homemade Baked Chicken Nuggets Recipe (5)

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Looking for more delicious kid-friendly homemade recipes? Try these:

  • Homemade French Toast Sticks
  • Homemade French Bread
  • Homemade Disneyland Dole Whips
  • Homemade Big Hunk Candy Bars
  • Homemade Pizza Pockets
  • Homemade Chick-Fil-A Chicken Nuggets
  • Baked Crispy Coconut Chicken Tenders
  • Crispy Honey Mustard Chicken
  • Baked Chicken Breast

Homemade Baked Chicken Nuggets Recipe (6)

Serves: 6

Homemade Baked Chicken Nuggets Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Now you can feel good about feeding your kids chicken nuggets – the crispy breading on these oven-baked Homemade Chicken Nuggets makes these a family-favorite! Freeze a batch for quick lunches or dinners.

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

PrintPin

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 3 cups corn flakes
  • cup grated parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • pinch of pepper
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 2 large eggs beaten

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

  • Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces; set aside.

  • Lightly spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

  • Put corn flakes in large plastic bag and crush into fine crumbs. Pour crumbs into medium-sized bowl. Add Parmesan cheese, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and pepper to corn flakes and mix until combined.

  • Place beaten eggs in a separate small bowl.

  • Place flour in a separate small bowl.

  • To bread chicken, coat chicken pieces in flour (shaking off excess), dip in egg and coat in corn flake mixture.

  • Arrange breaded chicken nuggets on prepared baking sheet.

  • Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown on the outside.

Notes

To freeze these chicken nuggets, prepare as outlined in the recipe.

  • Let the chicken nuggets cool and then place them in a single layer on awire rackand place them in the freezer for 1 hour – this will keep the chicken nuggets from all sticking together when you place them in a bag in the freezer and pull out a couple for a quick lunch. If you don’t mind them all sticking together, you can skip this step.

Nutrition

Calories: 200 kcal · Carbohydrates: 16 g · Protein: 22 g · Fat: 5 g · Saturated Fat: 2 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 108 mg · Sodium: 489 mg · Potassium: 337 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 1 g · Vitamin A: 400 IU · Vitamin C: 4 mg · Calcium: 76 mg · Iron: 5 mg

Equipment

  • Baking Sheet

  • Non-stick Cooking Spray

  • Ziploc Bag

  • small bowl (2)

Recipe Details

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

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Homemade Baked Chicken Nuggets Recipe (7)

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  1. Naomi says:

    I love homemade chicken nuggets! I made them and fish sticks for my son!

  2. Tough Cookie Mommy says:

    Hi, I'm passing by and following back from ToughCookieMommy.com It is great to connect with you. You can find us on Facebook too at
    http://facebook.com/toughcookiemommy

  3. Kristie says:

    Hey . . . we are so going to try this recipe. I think my bunch will LOVE them. Thanks for following. Blessings ~ Kristie

  4. Camilleta says:

    Great recipe! My daughter loves chicken nuggets and I'd feel better about her eating them every day if they were homemade!

    Thanks for the comment and follow. =) Following back now. By the way, I had a very confusing moment when I first saw your comment. I was tripping out, wondering when I commented myself, before it clicked... It's just someone else with my name lol!

  5. Sandra says:

    Sounds and looks really yummy. My mouth is watering. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

    Lets have some fun. Take the test Your Snacks Personality and find out which of these snacks do you prefer? I have taken the test and enjoyed a lot. Hope you too will enjoy it. Have Fun!!

  6. Diane says:

    These look delish! Thankds for the recipe!

  7. Sandie lee says:

    Thanks for the recipe! I'm making them tonight - I was wondering what I could do with that boneless chicken =)

    I'm already a follower. Thanks for stopping by SAY.

    Sandie

  8. Katherines Corner says:

    yum our grandchildren would love this. Hugs!

  9. Katherines Corner says:

    ps added your hp button to my blog hop page :-)

  10. Kendra says:

    you always have the best recipes, i'm excited to try this one too!

  11. Rissa @ Hazel and Honeysuckle says:

    These sound delish!! Thanks for sharing the recipe :D

  12. The Activity Mom says:

    trying these tonight! =) thanks for the recipe!

  13. Brenbren says:

    Oh my goodness! My kids LOVE chicken nuggets, but being the health freak I am I would never let them have them. I know what I am going to surprise them with for dinner tonight!

  14. Mandy @ Sugar Bee Crafts says:

    Thanks for linking to TAke-A-Look Tuesday - you were featured today!!
    --Mandy, www.SugarBeeCrafts.com

  15. Celinda Hoover says:

    Thanks for the recipe. I made these for my kids last night and my six year old who claims he doesn't like chicken declared them to be "incredible." I then have picky two year old twins, one devoured them the other refused to try... per his norm. It was only because it was something new. He'll try it the next time he sees it and I have no doubt he'll love them.

    I will make again for sure! The only thing I'll do differently next time is put the corn flakes through my food processor to get them to a bit finer of a texture. I think that will make the chicken even easier to coat. This time I just crushed them in a bag and it was fine, I will just try the food processor next time.

    This is the third recipe of yours we have tired. All have been really good! Thanks!!

  16. Hullkels says:

    Hi ladies,
    When you freeze half do you freeze them before or after cooking? Thanks.

  17. Camille says:

    I usually bake them first, then freeze them . . . that way I can even just pop them in the microwave when I need a quick meal! But I am sure that you could freeze them before cooking them too!

  18. Debby says:

    These were excellent! My husband declared "this is the best meal you've ever made" and my 4 year old son said they were "yummy in my tummy". Thank you and I will definitely double the recipe next time to freeze some for a quick meal. I'm anxious to try more of your recipes.

  19. Stephanie says:

    Ive been making these for as long as Ive known how to cook but i use a Ranch package instead of Parmesan cheese. Everyone loves them :)

  20. Debbie in MS says:

    I have been using a similar recipe for years but we call ours ALF Chicken. Why such a crazy name? Because our now 30 year old daughter insisted on having it every week for supper while she watched ALF on TV.

  21. Emily Kalal says:

    These are great, my husband also declared them better than any nuggets you could buy. Plus I felt good giving them to my 10 month old (in tiny bites of course!)

  22. Kristina says:

    Any ideas what I can use instead of egg as my son is allergic?

  23. Six Sisters says:

    You could dip them in melted margarine or butter. Hope this helps! -The Six Sisters

  24. Mandy Lynn says:

    Is this fresh parmesan cheese or like the stuff you sprinkle on pizza?

  25. Six Sisters says:

    Either one will work. Fresh has a stronger flavor. Hope this helps. -The Six Sisters

  26. Mandy Lynn says:

    Thank you for the quick reply I will now be making these tonight... I haven't cooked any of your recipes that havent been a huge success so needless to say I love me some Six Sisters Stuff :)

  27. Mandy Lynn says:

    Which do you use in the original recipe?

  28. Six Sisters says:

    The picture on this post is with Parmesan cheese you would sprinkle on pizza. Another one of our sisters uses only fresh parmesan cheese and she chops it a little finer. They both taste wonderful.

  29. Seldel says:

    Cute :)

  30. Sunny Patel says:

    Hi
    Sounds like a good recipe, what sort of flour did you use?
    thanks

  31. Six Sisters says:

    We used regular all purpose flour.

  32. Katie says:

    These were OUTSTANDING. Seriously.... I think we'll be making these weekly now, haha!! Thank you so much for sharing =) What an easy recipe with fabulous results!

  33. mechelle says:

    nice and easy receipe! complements to you!

  34. Vanessa says:

    Wow looks amazing but how many calories

  35. Cyd says:

    Just click on the MAGIC button under the picture and then click on NUTRITION. It will give you all of the nutritional information you need. It's our new sister site - MyRecipeMagic.com. Hope you'll stop by and check it out.

  36. Christiana says:

    Yum yum yum!!!!!! The first words out of my husband's mouth were "holy KFC!!!!" Please don't be offended by that reaction, coming from him that's an extremely good reaction. These are so very yummy and a million times better than anything from KFC!!!! My children loved them as well. We made a double batch and froze some, so we'll see how they re heat. Thank you so very much for sharing!!!!!!

  37. Lisa says:

    Do they not get soggy when frozen?

  38. Savannah says:

    I soak my chicken strips in buttermilk all day...it tenderizes the chicken as well as makes a great base for the coating to stick to! Low fat as well. :)

  39. Claire says:

    I really want to try these today. What are your suggestions for freezing and reheating that I must be aware of?

  40. Jaclyn says:

    Just made these tonight and they came out perfect!! It's now my go-to recipe for chicken nuggets. Thank you so much!!

  41. Elizabeth says:

    How long do you recommend popping them in the microwave for? Are they still kind of crunchy or would it be better to bake them again if that's what we wanted?

  42. Cyd says:

    You could bake them or microwave them. I just microwaved them until heated through. Every oven varies and it depends on how thawed your chicken nuggets are.

  43. big sisster says:

    Any other type of cereal similar to cork flakes? Or does it have to be corn flakes?

  44. Karen Wolff says:

    Do you freeze them before or after baking?

  45. Cyd says:

    We freeze them after baking.

  46. Leslie Zimmerman says:

    Do you freeze them before or after baking them?

  47. Sherri says:

    These were delicious. My hubby made them and we put them in the deep fryer and they were great. Another night I baked some to add to our salads and the toddler had nuggets to eat (she's not into salad just yet). Thank you. I love many of your recipes. This was a good one.

  48. Cyd says:

    I baked them all and then froze them. Just thaw a little and reheat.

  49. Kim C. says:

    I would think that Rice Crispies or maybe even Special K would work well....think the Rice Crispies would be delish!

  50. Amy says:

    At what point in the above instructions would you recommend using the freezer method?

  51. Cyd says:

    Hi Amy, we prepare them and cook them. Then we freeze them in a freezer bag or an airtight container. Then just thaw and reheat on a busy night!

  52. Wendy says:

    we have even used bread crumbs (panko or regular)

  53. Jenny says:

    I used a gluten free all purpose flour and they were still yummy.

  54. Jen_M says:

    I was just wondering when you freeze the extras, do you bake them first and THEN freeze them or do you freeze them raw and cook when you take them out? Trying to get a lot of freezer meals ready for when I have my baby :)

  55. Jen_M says:

    Forget my comment! I didn't see the one that was RIGHT above mine!

  56. Cyd says:

    We baked them first and then freeze them. Then just thaw and reheat! Best of luck with your baby! Freezer meals come in handy!

  57. Jenny says:

    Thanks for this great recipe we loved it! We loved it so much we made about 30 and then they were gone so now I have another batch in the oven. We will take your advice and freeze some if they last until tomorrow for lunch! I may try fish as well, we are no longer buying processed nuggets!

  58. Sandi says:

    Just discovered your website tonight and I'm lovin' it....already selected half a dozen recipes to try out. I have made these nuggets for my grandkids for years. They love them and request them often. The only thing I do differently is to use crushed sour cream and onion potato chips. It adds to the calories, but not by that much if you don't really pig out on them. Can't wait to try your Korean BBQ Chicken for hubby. Thanx for the great website!!

  59. Cyd says:

    Hi Sandi! We are so glad you stopped by and hope you'll be back!! Good luck with the Korean BBQ Chicken! :)

  60. Kammy says:

    So simple and delicious!!

  61. Jodi Meister says:

    accidentally read corn flakes wrong and used Frosted Flakes. I know it isn’t a healthy option however my hubby liked them and my daughter was so so. I will try the corn flakes next time.

    Homemade Baked Chicken Nuggets Recipe (8)

Homemade Baked Chicken Nuggets Recipe (9)

About The Author:

Camille Beckstrand

Camille Beckstrand is married to Jared and they have 4 kids. She is a certified life coach that loves helping women become "unstuck" in their lives and is the host of the podcast "Moms On The Rise". She also loves a good true crime podcast, a big plate of cheesy loaded nachos, and going on adventures with her family.

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Homemade Baked Chicken Nuggets Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you make chicken nuggets not soggy in the oven? ›

I like to use a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and topped with a wire rack for recipes like this, as it allows for the air in the oven to circulate around the chicken and get crispy. Make sure to spray the wire rack liberally with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Do you have to flip chicken nuggets in the oven? ›

Yes! In order to get evenly-crisped nuggets, you'll want to flip them halfway through the total bake time.

Do you need parchment paper for chicken nuggets? ›

Having a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat close to your dredging station makes it easy to arrange the chicken in a single layer as they come out of the breadcrumb mixture. It also cuts down on the mess. You can also try my Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets recipe if you love this one!

Are baked nuggets healthier? ›

Yes, these nuggets are healthy. Since they're baked with olive oil and not deep fried, they are much lighter than traditional chicken nuggets. One serving has 26 grams of protein, fewer than 200 calories, and only 8 carbs.

Why are my homemade chicken nuggets soggy? ›

You'll want to use a neutral-tasting oil like canola, vegetable, or peanut oil with a high smoke point. Monitor the temperature with a thermometer, adjusting the heat as necessary. If the oil isn't kept at around 350 degrees Fahrenheit, the breading will absorb excess oil and become soggy.

Why is my baked breaded chicken soggy? ›

This might be happening because you're cooking too many pieces at once, and the cool, uncooked meat is lowering the oil temperature. Patience is key — frying just a few pieces at a time will help ensure each one has the best, crispiest breading possible.

Does Chick Fil A fry or bake their chicken nuggets? ›

Chick-fil-A® Nuggets

Bite-sized pieces of boneless chicken breast, seasoned to perfection, freshly breaded and pressure cooked in 100% refined peanut oil. Available with choice of dipping sauce.

Is it better to cook chicken nuggets in the oven or air fryer? ›

Verdict: The oven and air-fryer methods hands down tied for the win, and they were worth the extra cooking time. While the oven produced a tad juicier nugget, the air fryer created a slightly crispier one, which felt like an even trade off for me and made them equally delicious.

How long to bake frozen chicken nuggets at 400? ›

Preferred Method.
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Place frozen nuggets on baking sheet.
  3. Heat 11 to 13 minutes.

Should I bake chicken on aluminum foil or parchment paper? ›

For Perfectly Baked Chicken Breasts, Use the Parchment-Paper Method. There is so little fat in a boneless, skinless chicken breast that it's hard to cook it without the meat ending up dry or just plain tasteless.

Can you bake chicken nuggets in foil? ›

Cooking method: You can cook these in an air fryer (my favorite option), pan fry them or bake them in the oven. For oven baking, I recommend you line a baking sheet with foil and spray the nuggets with cooking spray. I like to use a spray olive or avocado oil.

Can you bake chicken nuggets on aluminum foil? ›

Bake the Chicken Nuggets

Arrange the coated chicken nuggets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. For an extra crispy texture, lightly spray the nuggets with cooking spray. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, flipping the nuggets halfway through to ensure even browning.

Are Tyson chicken nuggets real chicken? ›

Made with all white meat chicken and simply seasoned with a crisp, golden breading, these nuggets are delicious no matter what you dip them in.

Is 20 chicken nuggets unhealthy? ›

A meal of 20 chicken nuggets is not too much food for you, but it is high in sodium and lacking in nutrition, other than protein. As long as you don't eat this for lunch every day, it is fine. Your young, growing body needs other nutrients found in vegetables, fruit and dairy products.

How do you make frozen nuggets crispy in the oven? ›

If you want your chicken nuggets extra crispy, you can try lightly brushing them with a small amount of oil or melted butter before placing them in the oven. For a healthier alternative, consider using an air fryer instead of the oven. Air frying will give you that same satisfying crunch with less oil.

How to bake frozen chicken nuggets in oven? ›

  1. Place. Preheat oven to 425°F. Place frozen chicken nuggets in a single layer on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. ...
  2. Bake. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, until nuggets are golden brown and heated through. ...
  3. Heat. In a small saucepan, heat the marinara sauce until hot. ...
  4. Serve with warm marinara dipping sauce.

How do you keep nuggets crispy? ›

Luckily, a viral hack may have you covered with a small tweak that will revolutionize your home-packed lunch. In order to keep your cooked chicken nuggets crispy all day, simply pack them into your thermos on top of a paper towel.

How do you make chicken not soggy? ›

Mistake: Double Dipping

Too much flour will give you a soggy crust, so dredge the chicken once and keep the coating light. Simply place the seasoned flour in a plastic zip-top bag, add the chicken in batches (don't overfill the bag), and seal it. Shake to evenly coat, and repeat with the remaining chicken.

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