My kids, like many others, love chicken nuggets. I must admit that I love them too. The best part about making baked nuggets at home is that you get to avoid the mess of using a deep fryer. Plus, the baked nuggets are much healthier and taste better than store-bought frozen ones. Below are 22 different fun and creative ways to make chicken nuggets so dinner can always be exciting.
Don't lose this article. Enter your email below, and I'll send it to you right now. Plus a little encouragement and inspiration from me, straight to your inbox.
1) Classic Baked Chicken Nuggets
This is the recipe I always go back to, plus it's the one my children request by name.
Five simple dinners. One grocery list.
No recipe hunting, no messy shopping notes, no complicated chef projects. Just family dinners that fit real weeks.
Classic Baked Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- In a bowl, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Dip each chicken piece in beaten egg, then press into the breadcrumb mixture to coat.
- Arrange on the sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and bake 20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through.
Notes
2) Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Nuggets
These extra cheesy and tasty snacks go so quickly, they don't even make it to the table!
Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 400F and line a sheet pan with parchment.
- Combine Parmesan, panko, Italian seasoning, and salt in a shallow dish.
- Dip chicken in egg, then dredge in the cheesy crumb mix, pressing firmly.
- Place on the pan, drizzle with oil, and bake 18 to 20 minutes until deeply golden.
- Let rest 2 minutes before serving.
Notes
3) Honey Mustard Chicken Nuggets
Sweet, tangy and sticky in the best way.
Honey Mustard Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet.
- Dip chicken in egg, coat in salted panko, and arrange on the sheet.
- Bake 20 minutes, flipping once, until crisp and cooked through.
- Whisk honey, Dijon, and yellow mustard in a bowl.
- Toss the hot nuggets in the honey mustard until glazed, then serve.
Notes
4) Spicy Buffalo Chicken Nuggets
Adults (or kids who enjoy a little spice) these bring the heat.
Spicy Buffalo Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 400F and line a sheet pan with parchment.
- Dip chicken in egg, dredge in salted panko, and place on the pan.
- Bake 20 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crisp.
- Stir together buffalo sauce and melted butter.
- Toss hot nuggets in the buffalo mixture and serve with celery and ranch.
Notes
5) Herb-Infused Chicken Nuggets
Using fresh herbs adds a slight touch of class that elevates these above your run-of-the-mill nugget.
Herb-Infused Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet.
- Mix breadcrumbs with parsley, thyme, oregano, and salt.
- Dip chicken in egg, coat in the herb crumbs, and place on the sheet.
- Drizzle with olive oil and bake 20 minutes, flipping once, until golden.
- Serve warm with a squeeze of lemon.
Notes
6) Garlic Parmesan Chicken Nuggets
Buttery, garlicky, and totally irresistible! They never last long around here.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400F and line a sheet pan.
- Dip chicken in egg, coat in salted panko, and bake 20 minutes until crisp.
- Warm butter and garlic in a small pan until fragrant.
- Toss the hot nuggets with garlic butter, then sprinkle with Parmesan and serve.
Notes
7) Cayenne Pepper Chicken Nuggets
An easy method to add warmth without overwhelming everything in sauce.
Cayenne Pepper Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet.
- Combine breadcrumbs, cayenne, paprika, and salt in a dish.
- Dip chicken in egg, dredge in the spiced crumbs, and arrange on the pan.
- Drizzle with oil and bake 20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden.
- Cool slightly and serve with a cooling yogurt dip.
Notes
8) Lemon Pepper Chicken Nuggets
These are bright and zesty. They feel invigorating.
Lemon Pepper Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400F and line a sheet pan.
- Mix panko with lemon zest, black pepper, and salt.
- Dip chicken in egg, coat in the lemon pepper crumbs, and place on the pan.
- Drizzle with oil and bake 20 minutes, turning once, until crisp.
- Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon before serving.
Notes
9) BBQ Glazed Chicken Nuggets
Sweet, sticky, smoky — backyard cookout in nugget form.
BBQ Glazed Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet.
- Dip chicken in egg, coat in salted breadcrumbs, and bake 15 minutes.
- Brush the nuggets generously with barbecue sauce.
- Return to the oven for 5 to 7 minutes until the glaze is sticky and caramelized.
- Serve with extra sauce on the side.
Notes
10) Teriyaki Chicken Nuggets
A combination of sweet and savory that gives weeknight dinners the feeling of being able to order out.
Don't lose this article. Enter your email below, and I'll send it to you right now. Plus a little encouragement and inspiration from me, straight to your inbox.
Teriyaki Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400F and line a sheet pan.
- Dip chicken in egg, coat in salted panko, and bake 20 minutes until crisp.
- Simmer soy sauce, honey, and ginger in a small pan until slightly thickened.
- Toss the hot nuggets in the teriyaki glaze.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve over rice.
Notes
11) Sriracha Lime Chicken Nuggets
These will wake up your entire plate! They're spicy, zippy, and super bright!
Sriracha Lime Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet.
- Dip chicken in egg, coat in salted panko, and bake 20 minutes until crisp.
- Whisk sriracha, honey, and lime juice together.
- Toss the hot nuggets in the sriracha-lime glaze.
- Serve with extra lime wedges.
Notes
12) Italian-Style Chicken Nuggets
These are like little chicken parmigiana bites that you can eat with your fingers!
Italian-Style Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400F and line a sheet pan.
- Mix Italian breadcrumbs with Parmesan and salt.
- Dip chicken in egg, coat in the crumbs, and arrange on the pan.
- Drizzle with oil and bake 20 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Serve with warm marinara for dipping.
Notes
13) Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Nuggets
Hidden cheesy center create a fun surprise when they melt!
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet.
- Flatten a small portion of ground chicken, place a cheddar cube in the center, and seal into a nugget.
- Dip each stuffed nugget in egg, then coat in breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder and salt.
- Drizzle with oil and bake 20 minutes, flipping once, until golden and cooked through.
- Cool 2 minutes so the cheese sets slightly before serving.
Notes
14) Panko-Covered Chicken Nuggets
This focuses on the great feeling of biting into super crisp panko.
Panko-Covered Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 425F and line a sheet pan.
- Toss panko with garlic powder, salt, and oil until lightly coated.
- Dip chicken in egg, then press into the panko to coat thickly.
- Arrange on the pan and bake 20 minutes, flipping once, until deeply golden and crunchy.
Notes
15) Coconut Chicken Nuggets
A fun tropical addition that goes great with sweet chili dip!
Coconut Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet.
- Mix shredded coconut, panko, and salt in a shallow dish.
- Dip chicken in egg, coat in the coconut mixture, and arrange on the pan.
- Drizzle with oil and bake 20 minutes, flipping once, until golden.
- Serve with sweet chili sauce.
Notes
16) Sesame Ginger Chicken Nuggets
These sensations of a restaurant special come from the nutty sesames and the warm gems.
Sesame Ginger Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 400F and line a sheet pan.
- Dip chicken in egg, coat in salted panko, and bake 20 minutes until crisp.
- Whisk soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger together.
- Toss the hot nuggets in the sesame-ginger sauce.
- Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and serve.
Notes
17) Almond-Crusted Chicken Nuggets
Crunchy ground almonds provide a nutty, gluten free coating.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet.
- Mix almond flour with paprika and salt.
- Dip chicken in egg, press into the almond coating, and arrange on the pan.
- Drizzle with oil and bake 20 minutes, flipping once, until golden.
- Serve warm with honey mustard.
Notes
18) Ranch Seasoned Chicken Nuggets
All the ranch flavor has been baked into the coating.
Ranch Seasoned Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 400F and line a sheet pan.
- Combine breadcrumbs and dry ranch seasoning.
- Dip chicken in egg, coat in the ranch crumbs, and arrange on the pan.
- Drizzle with oil and bake 20 minutes, flipping once, until golden and crisp.
- Serve with extra ranch for dipping.
Notes
19) Rosemary Lemon Chicken Nuggets
Rosemary and lemon are gourmet French cuisine ingredients.
Rosemary Lemon Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet.
- Mix panko with rosemary, lemon zest, and salt.
- Dip chicken in egg, coat in the rosemary crumbs, and arrange on the pan.
- Drizzle with oil and bake 20 minutes, flipping once, until golden.
- Finish with a squeeze of lemon.
Notes
20) Smoky Paprika Chicken Nuggets
You can achieve that deep, smoky flavor without having to start up the grill.
Smoky Paprika Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 400F and line a sheet pan.
- Mix breadcrumbs with smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
- Dip chicken in egg, coat in the smoky crumbs, and arrange on the pan.
- Drizzle with oil and bake 20 minutes, flipping once, until golden.
- Serve with a smoky aioli or ketchup.
Notes
21) Crispy Buttermilk Chicken Nuggets
These are unbelievably tender on the inside because of the buttermilk soak.
Crispy Buttermilk Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
Method
- Soak chicken in buttermilk for 15 minutes while the oven heats to 400F.
- Line a sheet pan and mix breadcrumbs with paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
- Lift chicken from the buttermilk and press into the seasoned crumbs.
- Arrange on the pan, drizzle with oil, and bake 20 minutes, flipping once, until golden and crisp.
Notes
22) Savory Cheddar Herb Chicken Nuggets
All of the best elements of food combined: cheesy, herby, and savory.
Savory Cheddar Herb Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet.
- Combine breadcrumbs, cheddar, chives, parsley, and salt.
- Dip chicken in egg, press into the cheesy herb crumbs, and arrange on the pan.
- Drizzle with oil and bake 20 minutes, flipping once, until golden and crisp.
- Serve warm with a creamy dip.