C – This is a weeknight meal for the kids or the kids-at-heart.
My husband loves chicken nuggets. It’s my go-to item in the freezer. I hate buying them pre-made from the grocery store. They are expensive and there can be a lot of weird things in them.
Whenever there is a sale on boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, I buy a lot and make these nuggets.
They are simple to make all natural and keep for a few months in the freezer if you store them correctly.
I love that I can pop them in the oven for 30 minutes right when I get home and serve them after I prepare my vegetables.
Maybe, if I am ambitious, I’ll make a homemade ranch dip. Or, use the homemade ketchup I made.
I love that I don’t have to worry about greasy frying, since I bake them in the oven. They are a bit dry on the outside but tender and juicy on the inside.
| Weeknight Dinner Week: Baked Chicken Nuggets |
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 2 inch by ½ inch pieces. This time I used thighs.
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- a few pinches Cayenne pepper
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs or Panko bread crumbs
- Place cut up chicken meat in a medium bowl. Season with salt, pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon paprika and a pinch of Cayenne pepper.
- Mix well. Set a side for at least 30 minutes to marinate.
- Place all purpose flour in a shallow bowl. Season with salt, pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon paprika and a pinch of Cayenne pepper. Mix well.
- Place eggs in another shallow bowl. Season with salt, pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon paprika and a pinch of Cayenne pepper. Mix well.
- Place bread crumbs in a third shallow bowl. Season with salt, pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon paprika and a pinch of Cayenne pepper. Mix well.
- Once chicken has been marinated, preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Evenly coat the chicken with flour, then with egg mixture, then with the seasoned bread crumbs.
- Place on a lined baking sheet.
- Place in oven and cook for 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Turn once.
- Remove from oven.
- Serve with ketchup or any dipping sauce you desire.
- Enjoy!
It makes you feel healthy eating comfort food. Just have a good dipping sauce. You really don’t miss the added grease.
It’s also easy to clean up. Just the aluminum foil from the pan and the plates you eat on.