Baked Buffalo Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Crispy and flavorful Baked Buffalo Chicken Nuggets made with tender chicken breast pieces coated in a zesty buffalo sauce and a seasoned breadcrumb mixture, baked to golden perfection for a healthier twist on a classic appetizer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1.5” pieces
- 3 tbsp hot sauce
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
Coating
- 2/3 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 425˚F to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the chicken nuggets to a crispy finish.
- Prepare chicken: Trim any fat off the chicken breasts and cut them into approximately 1.5-inch pieces, ensuring even cooking and bite-sized nuggets.
- Mix sauces and coating: In a dish, whisk together the melted butter and hot sauce. In a separate bowl, combine the Italian bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder to form the seasoned coating.
- Coat chicken: Toss the chicken pieces in the hot sauce mixture, making sure each piece is evenly coated with the buffalo sauce. Then, dredge the sauced chicken in the breadcrumb mixture so that each nugget is fully covered.
- Arrange on baking sheet: Lightly grease or spray a baking sheet to prevent sticking. Place the coated chicken pieces on the sheet with at least half an inch space between each piece for even cooking. Use two baking sheets if needed to avoid overcrowding.
- Bake the nuggets: Bake the chicken nuggets in the preheated oven for a total of 8-12 minutes. Begin by placing the sheet on the lower rack for 4-5 minutes, then move the sheet to the upper rack for another 4-5 minutes to encourage even browning.
- Optional broil for crispiness: For extra crispy nuggets, broil the chicken on high for the last 2-4 minutes. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.
Notes
- Ensure chicken pieces are cut evenly for uniform cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165˚F for safe consumption.
- For a milder version, reduce the amount of hot sauce.
- Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
- If you prefer gluten-free, substitute Italian bread crumbs with gluten-free crumbs.
- Do not overcrowd the baking sheet to maintain crispiness.
Keywords: buffalo chicken nuggets, baked chicken nuggets, healthy chicken nuggets, appetizer, game day snacks, crispy chicken, buffalo sauce
Find it online: https://kitchenbynora.com/baked-buffalo-chicken-nuggets-recipe/
