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)

Fish and Spinach Bake
Fish filet on a spinach bed with a layer of tomato and green onion.

Fish and Spinach Bake

Healthy baked fish with fresh and frozen veggies and cajun spices.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
8 Servings
One-Pan Spaghetti
Big bowl of spaghetti topped with grated parmesan cheese.

One-Pan Spaghetti

Spaghetti ingredients simmer together in one pot for a simple and tasty meal.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
10 cups
Sunshine Roll-Ups
Platter of tortillas filled with lettuce, chicken and oranges.

Sunshine Roll-Ups

A delicious chicken salad combined with sweet oranges and wrapped inside a whole wheat tortilla with fresh greens.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
4 half roll-ups
Salmon Pasta Skillet
Bowl of pasta shells and salmon garnished with parsley.

Salmon Pasta Skillet

Whole grain pasta, canned salmon and tomatoes come together for a delicious and nutritious pasta meal.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Refried Bean Soup
Medium bowl of thick Refried Bean Soup.

Refried Bean Soup

Canned beans and tomatoes make this tasty soup so quick and easy to prepare.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
10 cups
Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash strands served with red sauce and grated parmesan cheese.

Spaghetti Squash

Learn how to bake or microwave spaghetti squash, then top with your favorite sauces or seasonings!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
4 cups