Homemade Chicken Nuggets

Homemade Chicken Nuggets

 

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Ingredients for about 24 nuggets:

Author: MOMables

Cuisine: Lunch

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground chicken
• ¼ cup old-fashioned oatmeal
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 tsp Zatarain’s Creole Seasoning, divided (optional) sub paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¾ cup breadcrumbs

Instructions

1. In large bowl, combine chicken, oatmeal, half the grated parmesan (1/8 cup), half the Zatarain’s seasoning (or paprika) (1/2 tsp), garlic powder and pepper. Knead dry ingredients into ground chicken.
2. Moisten hands to prevent sticking and form 1 tbsp of chicken mixture into a ball. Press into a cookie cutter for shaped nuggets or flatten with fingers for a basic nugget shape.
3. In small bowl, combine breadcrumbs with remaining Zatarain’s seasoning and grated parmesan.
4. Press nuggets into bread crumb mixture and turn over, patting crumbs into surface to coat evenly.
5. –At this point you can freeze– or
6. To bake: Preheat oven to 375° F. Arrange nuggets on cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray or lined with parchment paper. Lightly spray nuggets themselves with cooking spray or olive oil for a crispier coating (optional). Bake 15-20 minutes, turning once, and checking – don’t overcook! These baked nuggets will not really brown (unless you pan fry in oil) – if browning is desired, place under broiler for a couple of minutes at the end of cooking.

MOM tip:  These nuggets don’t have to be baked right away; you can freeze the breaded nuggets on a cookie sheet, then transfer them to an airtight bag or container and store them in the freezer until you’re ready to bake as few or as many as you like for up to 3 months. Add about 3-5 minutes to your usual cooking time if baking from frozen.