High Protein Crispy Chicken Nuggets
High Protein Crispy Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
For the Chicken Mixture
- 1 pound lean ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg, large
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
For the Coating
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 egg, beaten
For Cooking and Serving
- as needed cooking spray, such as olive oil spray
- as needed dipping sauce, of choice
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the lean ground chicken, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 large egg, and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly with your hands until all ingredients are well incorporated.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Lightly wet your hands to prevent sticking. Shape the chicken mixture into 20 to 22 equal, flat, nugget-like pieces.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Place the shaped nuggets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer and chill the nuggets for 20 to 30 minutes to firm them up. This will help them hold their shape during coating and cooking.
- 4
While the nuggets are chilling, prepare the flour coating. In a separate shallow bowl, combine the 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon baking powder. Whisk these dry ingredients together well.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
In another shallow bowl, beat the remaining egg.
⏱️ 1 min
- 6
Remove the firm nuggets from the freezer. Dip each nugget first into the beaten egg, ensuring it's fully coated. Then, transfer the egg-coated nugget to the seasoned flour mixture and roll it around until it's completely covered with the flour. Gently shake off any excess.
⏱️ 10 min
- 7
Place the fully coated nuggets on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Generously spray the coated nuggets with cooking spray.
⏱️ 1 min
- 9
To cook in the oven: Preheat your oven to 428°F (220°C). Bake the nuggets for 18 to 22 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. To cook in an air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 392°F (200°C). Air fry the nuggets for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through, flipping halfway if necessary.
⏱️ 22 min•🌡️ 428
- 10
Once cooked, serve the crispy chicken nuggets immediately with your favorite dipping sauce(s).
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
High Protein Crispy Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
For the Chicken Mixture
- 1 pound lean ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg, large
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
For the Coating
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 egg, beaten
For Cooking and Serving
- as needed cooking spray, such as olive oil spray
- as needed dipping sauce, of choice
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the lean ground chicken, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 large egg, and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly with your hands until all ingredients are well incorporated.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Lightly wet your hands to prevent sticking. Shape the chicken mixture into 20 to 22 equal, flat, nugget-like pieces.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Place the shaped nuggets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer and chill the nuggets for 20 to 30 minutes to firm them up. This will help them hold their shape during coating and cooking.
- 4
While the nuggets are chilling, prepare the flour coating. In a separate shallow bowl, combine the 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon baking powder. Whisk these dry ingredients together well.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
In another shallow bowl, beat the remaining egg.
⏱️ 1 min - 6
Remove the firm nuggets from the freezer. Dip each nugget first into the beaten egg, ensuring it's fully coated. Then, transfer the egg-coated nugget to the seasoned flour mixture and roll it around until it's completely covered with the flour. Gently shake off any excess.
⏱️ 10 min - 7
Place the fully coated nuggets on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Generously spray the coated nuggets with cooking spray.
⏱️ 1 min - 9
To cook in the oven: Preheat your oven to 428°F (220°C). Bake the nuggets for 18 to 22 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. To cook in an air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 392°F (200°C). Air fry the nuggets for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through, flipping halfway if necessary.
⏱️ 22 min•🌡️ 428 - 10
Once cooked, serve the crispy chicken nuggets immediately with your favorite dipping sauce(s).
⏱️ 1 min