Running between work, gym, sports practice for the kids, social events, and everything else on the calendar makes it hard to find time for healthy food these days.
It’s even more challenging if you have picky eaters on top of a busy schedule. Why take time to make something they’ll refuse when you can heat up a box of chicken nuggets or pizza rolls, and the kids will gobble them up?
Convenience is king in most households. While there is undoubtedly a time and place for every food, too much convenience food, like frozen or fast food, can significantly affect health. With so many options readily available, our children are experiencing the impact of a diet too high in sodium and saturated fat, resulting in elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity.
Prepping healthy options to have on hand for busy days can be part of the answer to this problem.
These homemade nuggets promise to bring those flavors and textures home in a way you can feel good about serving your family. Quick and convenient to make, they’re sure to please your pickiest eaters.
Healthier Homemade Chicken Nugget Recipe
Yields about 25 nuggets
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground chicken
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 large carrot, grated
- 4 eggs, divided
- 2 cups whole-grain panko breadcrumbs
- 2 cups flour
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°
Prepare baking sheets with foil or non-stick spray and preheat the oven.
Prepare three bowls lined up next to each other;
- the first with flour,
- the second with 2 eggs and ½ cup water beaten
- the third with panko bread crumbs
Set aside.
In a large bowl, mix ground chicken, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, grated carrot, and eggs.
Scoop nugget mixture into heaping tablespoons and form nugget shapes. Dip in flour, ensuring all sides are covered, then eggs mixture, and finally breadcrumbs. Thoroughly coat the nuggets in each step.
Place onto baking sheets, spacing the nuggets without overlapping or touching to get a crispy outside.
Bake 40-45 minutes or until the internal thermometer reads 165F, turning each nugget over after twenty minutes to ensure both sides are golden and crispy.
When the nuggets are done, remove, serve immediately, or cool.
If freezing, cool completely before storing. When you’re ready to enjoy them on a busy night, microwave for about 30 seconds each or reheat in a toaster or conventional oven.
Additional Tips & Tricks
Add chili powder, Old Bay, or other seasoning blends to spice things up. Shape into hearts, rainbows, or different fun shapes for kids and party themes. Change up the grated veggie with other veggies like zucchini.
Nutritional value:
- Protein 7.9g
- Calories 120
- Fat 3.3g
- Fiber 1.2g
- Sodium 97.2mg.
- Carbohydrates 13.7g
Surprise your kids and plan an afternoon to prep healthy, convenient, tasty finger foods like these homemade chicken nuggets. Everyone loves chicken nuggets for the soft texture, mild flavor, and dip-ability. And you’re going to love how easy they are to make on your busy schedule.
Justine Hays is a registered dietician and wellness writer helping her clients prep, plan, and prepare healthy and affordable meals the whole family will eat. To get Justine’s tips on how to eat better with less stress, visit her at https://www.justinehaysnutrition.com
