Skip to main content

Crunchy Chicken Nuggets

Our quick and easy homemade chicken nuggets use cereal flakes for the breading.
Plate of golden breaded chicken with dipping sauce.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Makes: 25 Chicken Nuggets
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
½ cup barbeque sauce
3 cups cereal flakes

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  3. Mix chicken and barbeque sauce in a large bowl.
  4. Pour cereal flakes into a large plastic bag and crush into small pieces.
  5. Place chicken pieces in the bag, reseal, and toss to coat.
  6. Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Arrange coated chicken pieces on the baking sheet.
  7. Bake until crispy and golden brown and chicken is no longer pink inside, about 20 to 25 minutes.
  8. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

  • For a dipping sauce, mix ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard.
  • Honey is not recommended for children under 1 year old.
  • For a home-made barbeque sauce, mix the following ingredients:
    • ¼ cup ketchup
    • ¼ teaspoon each black pepper, salt, oregano, basil and thyme
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • 1 teaspoon parsley
    • 2 tablespoons finely chopped yellow onion
    • 1 ½ tablespoons light brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
    • 1 ½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
    • ½ teaspoon minced garlic or 1 pinch of garlic powder

Comments

I made this recipe with a teenage class, and found that we had to cook the nuggets MUCH longer than 18-20 minutes (the chicken was in pretty big chunks) suggested.  Using "no longer pink inside" as a gauge for doneness is not exactly precise.  It was a great teaching segue to "food safety" and the use of meat thermometers though!

I make this recipe with my little cousins. They love it!

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Stovetop Teff
Bowl of fine textured teff.

Stovetop Teff

Teff has a mild and nutty flavor with a soft texture.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
2 ½ cups
Green Salad with Peas
Lettuce bed topped with peas and feta cheese on a plate.

Green Salad with Peas

Fresh green salad, tossed with peas, cucumber and creamy feta.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Perfect Hard-Cooked Eggs
Plate of hard-cooked egg halves.

Perfect Hard-Cooked Eggs

Make the perfect hard-cooked eggs with this recipe. Keep coked eggs on hand for salads, sandwiches or eating alone as a protein-rich snack.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
1 Servings
Spring Green Salad
Bowls of spinach salad topped with strawberries and orange slices.

Spring Green Salad

A colorful and tasty salad with crisp spinach, tangy citrus, sweet strawberries and crunchy walnuts.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
10 cups
Whole-Wheat Spiced Pear Bread
Platter with slices of golden brown pear bread.

Whole-Wheat Spiced Pear Bread

The delicate taste of pear shines through in this lightly spiced and moist quick bread. Enjoy with breakfast or as a snack.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
50 minutes
Makes:
1 loaf (16 slices)
Beet Dip
A bowl of beet dip is served with jicama, carrot and celery sticks.

Beet Dip

Fresh earthy flavor combined with tangy lemon and creamy tahini makes this a flavorful and colorful dip!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
2 cups