Description
Crispy and flavorful homemade baked chicken nuggets made with seasoned breadcrumbs and a Greek yogurt coating for a healthier twist on a classic favorite. These nuggets are easy to prepare, baked to golden perfection, and perfect for a quick family meal or snack.
Ingredients
Breading Mixture
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs (115g, $0.32)
- ½ tsp garlic powder ($0.01)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika ($0.04)
- ¼ tsp salt ($0.01)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (freshly cracked, about 5 cranks, $0.04)
- 2 Tbsp neutral oil ($0.08)
Yogurt Coating
- ⅓ cup Greek Yogurt (80g, $0.36)
- ⅛ tsp salt ($0.01)
- 3 Tbsp water ($0.00)
Chicken
- 1 chicken breast (boneless, skinless, about 2/3 lb., 302g, $1.78)
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Prepare all the ingredients needed for the recipe to ensure a smooth cooking process.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Rack: Preheat your oven to 425ºF (220ºC). Place a wire cooling rack or two over a baking sheet to hold the nuggets as they bake, allowing air to circulate and promote even crispiness.
- Mix Breadcrumbs: In a wide shallow bowl, combine the plain breadcrumbs, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Stir the mixture until uniformly combined. Drizzle in the neutral oil and stir until the breadcrumbs appear damp like wet sand, ensuring they will crisp nicely during baking.
- Prepare Yogurt Slurry: In a small separate bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, salt, and water until smooth and similar in consistency to buttermilk or heavy cream. This slurry will help the breadcrumbs adhere well to the chicken pieces.
- Cut Chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken breast. Cut the chicken into small pieces approximately ¾ to 1 inch in size, resulting in about 22 to 24 pieces from one medium chicken breast.
- Dredge Chicken: Dip each chicken piece into the yogurt mixture, coating it thoroughly. Then roll each piece in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, ensuring an even coating on all sides. Place the coated nuggets on the wire rack set over the baking sheet.
- Bake Nuggets: Transfer the baking sheet with the coated nuggets to the preheated oven. Bake for 23 to 25 minutes until the nuggets are golden brown along the edges and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the nuggets from the oven, let them cool for 3 to 5 minutes on the rack to firm up, then serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Using a wire rack over the baking sheet helps keep nuggets crispy by allowing heat to circulate evenly around them.
- Adjust seasoning in the breadcrumbs according to your taste preferences.
- The yogurt slurry not only helps the breadcrumbs stick but also adds moisture to keep the nuggets tender.
- For extra crispy nuggets, consider flipping them halfway through baking.
- Make sure chicken pieces are similar in size for even cooking.
- The cooking time may vary slightly depending on your oven; ensure internal chicken temperature reaches 165ºF (74ºC) for safety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American