These Healthy Chicken Nuggets are so good, your kids will stop craving the store-bought stuff! This post shares the only healthy chicken nugget recipe you’ll ever need. Plus, tips to make them clean and kid-approved.
If you're looking for more easy-to-make and healthy chicken recipes, check out my Chicken Tacos, Grilled Chicken Wings, and Freezer Chicken Pot Pies.
In This Post You'll Find:
Chicken nuggets have gotten a bad rep over the years. Unsurprisingly so, because they’re laden with things you’ll want to stay clear of on a healthy diet.
But kids love them, we love them, and Clean Eating isn’t about taking the fun away from food.
So how do we make this classic staple healthy? This post shares my healthy chicken nugget recipe. It retains all the golden, crispy awesomeness of traditional nuggets, minus the bad stuff.
Freeze them for later on or serve them hot off the oven.
Ingredients For Healthy Chicken Nuggets
Chicken tenders (or chicken breasts): The best thing about making your own healthy chicken nuggets is that you know it's the REAL DEAL: no fillers and highly processed fluff — just juicy, tender chicken.
Eggs (large): This will help your beautiful almond flour coating stick to your chicken.
Almond flour: One of my fave Healthy Flour Substitutes! It's packed with more nutrients than white flour (which has all the good stuff stripped away).
Garlic powder: The fine texture meshes well with your almond flour coating and tastes excellent.
Paprika: This adds beautiful golden color to your nuggets. Plus flavor, Vitamin A, capsaicin, and antioxidants.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with olive oil spray.
Step 2: Pat the chicken dry and cut them in 1 ½ inch chunks then, season with salt and pepper. Crack eggs into a bowl and whisk together with 1 tablespoon of water—season with salt.
Step 3: Combine the almond flour, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, and pepper in a wide bowl or plate—season with salt. Dip the chicken in the egg mixture, and let the excess drip off. Next, coat them in the almond flour mixture and shake off the excess.
Step 4: Transfer the chicken to the prepared baking sheet and spray the top of the chicken with olive oil spray. Bake your chicken on the center rack of the oven for 18-22 minutes or until fully cooked, flipping halfway through.
FAQs
Are Chicken Nuggets Very Unhealthy?
Yes, typical fast food and store-bought chicken nuggets are usually very unhealthy. They’re one of the most highly processed foods you can give your kid. Here’s why.
Traditional chicken nuggets are usually made with:
- Lots of saturated fat
- Excess sodium
- Lots of fillers (compared to real meat)
- Heavy breading and batter
- Artificial coloring and preservatives
Apart from all that, they’re fried in hydrogenated oils (containing high amounts of sugar and more fat)! This makes them devoid of nutrients and loaded with calories.
Can Frozen Chicken Nuggets Be Healthy?
Yes, frozen chicken nuggets can be healthy, especially if you make them yourself. This is the best way to ensure you know exactly what goes into them.
In this recipe, I’ve made these chicken nuggets clean-approved by:
- Replacing the typical heavy batter with almond flour coating (this adds healthy fats and fiber)
- Using REAL chicken thighs or chicken tenders (instead of buying store-bought or fast-food nuggets that are low in protein, nutrients and may contain more fillers than actual chicken)
- Baking them instead of deep-frying them (for less oil, unhealthy fats, and calories)
- Using healthy spices and seasoning for awesome color and flavor (instead of artificial coloring and preservatives)
How To Store Homemade Chicken Nuggets
To properly store your healthy chicken nuggets in the fridge, place them inside an airtight container and make sure they’ve cooled down to room temperature. Then, transfer it to the fridge. When you’re ready to reheat them, pop them in the oven until they’re heated through. Baked chicken nuggets should last for up to 4 days in the fridge. For help on choosing what containers to use, check out my post The Ultimate Guide To Meal Prep Containers.
Want to make them in advance? To freeze your nuggets for baking later on, arrange them on a baking sheet and place them into the freezer for 1-2 hours to fully harden. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen chicken nuggets can be stored for up to 1 month for best quality.
