Homemade baked chicken nuggets

Crunchy oven-baked nuggets that are much healthier than the shop-bought kind: real chicken breast, a golden breadcrumb coating and not a drop of frying. Children love them, and you control exactly what goes into them. Perfect with stir-fried vegetables or a salad.

Preparation: 15 min  |  Cooking: 20 min  |  Servings: 4  |  Difficulty: Easy

Calculated per serving from Anses Ciqual 2025 values for each ingredient, based on the quantities listed. Household measures (spoonfuls, pieces) use average weights. 291 kcal · 27 g protein · 15 g carbohydrate · 13 g fat

Ingredients

• 3 chicken breasts
• 1 egg
• 80 g breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• paprika, salt

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C. Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
2. Beat the egg in a shallow dish; in another, mix the breadcrumbs with the paprika and salt.
3. Dip each piece in the egg and then in the breadcrumbs, coating it well.
4. Place on a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, turning halfway through.

Nutritional benefits

This homemade version is far better than industrial nuggets: chicken breast is a good quality lean protein (30 g per serving), without the additives, excess salt and frying fat of the shop-bought kind. Baking in the oven limits the fat while keeping the crunch. It is an excellent way to offer children a classic they love in a balanced, protein-rich version.

Variations and substitutions

• Gluten-free: replace the breadcrumbs with blitzed rolled oats or ground almonds.
• Extra crunchy: add a little Parmesan to the breadcrumbs (not for lactose-free).
• Fish version: same method with cod for fish nuggets.
• Spices: curry powder, herbs or garlic powder in the breadcrumbs.

Storage and making ahead

The nuggets keep for 2 days in the fridge and reheat in the oven to regain their crunch (avoid the microwave, which makes them soggy). They also freeze very well, raw or cooked.

💡 Good to know

For a gluten-free coating that is also more filling, blitz some rolled oats: the result is just as crunchy and adds fibre.

Read more

Discover more: kids’ recipes · high-protein recipes.

Foods in this recipe: chicken breasts · egg · breadcrumbs · olive oil · paprika.

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