Description
These crispy and flavorful Chicken Nuggets are made with lean ground chicken and cauliflower rice for a healthier twist. Coated with seasoned breadcrumbs and baked or air fried to golden perfection, they make a perfect snack or meal for the whole family. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces like ketchup, honey mustard, or buffalo sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs 93% lean ground chicken (organic preferred, not breast only)
- 2/3 cup frozen cauliflower rice
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- 3/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs (or gluten-free seasoned crumbs*)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Oil spray for baking and air frying
Dipping Sauces
- Ketchup
- Honey mustard
- Buffalo sauce
- BBQ sauce
- Special sauce
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the lean ground chicken, frozen cauliflower rice, kosher salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until evenly combined.
- Shape Nuggets: Form the mixture into 30 round, flat nuggets, each weighing about 25 grams for consistent cooking.
- Coat Nuggets: Dip each nugget into the beaten egg, ensuring full coverage, then coat evenly with the seasoned breadcrumbs to create a crispy outer layer.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Spray a baking sheet lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
- Bake Nuggets: Place the nuggets on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 10 minutes, then carefully flip each nugget and bake for an additional 6 minutes, or until nuggets are golden brown and cooked through. Spray with oil as needed to maintain crispiness.
- Alternative Air Fry Method: Arrange nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray with oil. Air fry at 400°F (204°C) for 8 to 9 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking and spraying again with oil to achieve a perfectly crispy texture.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free seasoned breadcrumbs.
- If cauliflower rice is not available, finely grated fresh cauliflower can be used.
- Ensure nuggets are cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
- Adjust seasoning according to taste preferences.
- Use oil spray to keep nuggets crispy when baking or air frying.
- Dipping sauces can be customized or omitted based on preference.
