Homemade Baked Chicken Nuggets for the Lunchbox: An Easy Start to Back-to-School

Homemade baked chicken nuggets are ready in 35 minutes: a crispy coating with no frying, and you can make them ahead and freeze them before the school year starts.

The Trick to a Crispy Coating Without Frying

The secret to a coating that stays crispy without frying is the triple dip: flour, egg, then breadcrumbs, pressing gently at the end so the coating actually sticks to the chicken. A generous spray of olive oil over the nuggets before baking is what gives them the golden color you'd normally only get from frying.

Prep Ahead for a Busy Week

This is the recipe to kick off back-to-school season with: make a double batch, freeze the uncooked nuggets on a tray until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. On a busy morning, just bake straight from frozen with a few extra minutes, and the lunchbox is ready with no fuss.

The recipe

Homemade Baked Chicken Nuggets

Crispy-coated chicken nuggets baked in the oven with no frying, freezer-friendly for the lunchbox.

• Servings 4 servings
• Prep 20 min
• Cook 15 min
• Total 35 min

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Ingredients

• 1 lb (500g) chicken breast (cut into bite-sized cubes)
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 eggs (beaten)
• 1.5 cups breadcrumbs
• 1/2 tsp sweet paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• salt and pepper (to taste)
• 3 tbsp olive oil (or olive oil spray)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Set up three bowls: one with flour, one with the beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs mixed with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

3. Dip each chicken cube first in flour, then in egg, and finally in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently so the coating sticks.

4. Arrange the nuggets on the baking sheet with space between them, not touching.

5. Spray or drizzle olive oil generously over all the nuggets.

6. Bake for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the coating is golden and crisp and the chicken is cooked through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze these before baking?
Yes, freeze on a tray until firm, then transfer to a bag. Bake straight from frozen with about 5 extra minutes added to the bake time.

Why does the coating fall off during baking?
Usually because it wasn't pressed on firmly enough. Press the breadcrumbs gently after the egg dip, before placing on the sheet.

Can I use turkey breast instead of chicken?
Yes, the same method works for turkey breast with no change to the cooking time.

How long do cooked nuggets keep in the fridge?
Up to three days in an airtight container. Reheat in the oven, not the microwave, to keep them crispy.