Description
This Baked Crispy Parmesan Chicken Nuggets recipe offers a deliciously crunchy and flavorful twist on classic chicken nuggets, featuring a crispy parmesan and panko breadcrumb coating. Baked rather than fried, these nuggets are lighter yet still packed with savory goodness, perfect for a family-friendly meal or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 3 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse salt (divided)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper (divided)
- ½ cup buttermilk
Breading Mixture
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup parmesan cheese (grated, good quality)
- 1 teaspoon favorite herb blend (optional)
Dipping Stations
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup butter (melted)
- 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Heat your oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Place a wire rack on top of the sheet and lightly spray the rack to prevent the nuggets from sticking.
- Prep Chicken: Pat dry the chicken breasts and cut into 1½-inch pieces. In a medium bowl, sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Pour the buttermilk over the chicken and toss to coat evenly. Set the bowl aside for marinating.
- Mix Breading: In a shallow dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, and herb blend if using. Mix thoroughly to blend the flavors well.
- Prepare Dipping Stations: Arrange three additional shallow dishes: one with flour, one with melted butter, and one with the beaten eggs. You will use these to bread the chicken nuggets in stages.
- Drain Chicken: Remove chicken pieces from the buttermilk using a mesh strainer and let excess liquid drip off before dredging.
- Coat Chicken: Dredge each piece first in flour, shaking off any excess, then dip into the melted butter and egg mixture, and finally coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb and parmesan mixture. Place each coated nugget on the wire rack prepared on your baking sheet.
- Bake Nuggets: Place the baking sheet with the wire rack in the center of the preheated oven. Bake for 20-30 minutes, flipping the nuggets once halfway through cooking (after 10-15 minutes) to ensure an even golden brown crust.
- Check Crispiness and Cook Through: The nuggets are cooked when they are golden brown, crispy, and reach an internal temperature of 165°F. For extra crispiness, broil for a few minutes at the end, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve: Remove the nuggets from the oven and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces.
- Enjoy: Savor these healthier, crispy baked parmesan chicken nuggets fresh and hot from the oven!
Notes
- Use a wire rack on the baking sheet to allow air circulation, which helps keep the nuggets crispy on all sides.
- Turning the nuggets halfway through baking promotes even browning and crispiness.
- Substitute buttermilk with plain yogurt thinned with a little milk if needed.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.
- Add your favorite herbs or spices to the breadcrumb mixture for added flavor variation.
- Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- Leftover nuggets can be reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness instead of microwaving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: baked chicken nuggets, crispy chicken nuggets, parmesan chicken nuggets, healthy chicken nuggets, oven baked nuggets
