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Crispy Sheet Pan Chicken Nuggets Easy Meal Prep Recipe Ideas

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These crispy sheet pan chicken nuggets are a quick, easy, and healthier alternative to fried nuggets, perfect for meal prep and loved by kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds chicken breast, cut into nugget-sized pieces
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour (can substitute almond flour for gluten-free)
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Olive oil spray or avocado oil spray, to mist the nuggets before baking

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Position a rack in the center of the oven.
  2. Prepare the coating stations: In one bowl, mix the flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper. In a second bowl, beat the eggs thoroughly. In a third bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan cheese.
  3. Slice the chicken breasts into bite-sized nuggets, roughly 1½-inch pieces.
  4. Coat each piece in the seasoned flour first, shaking off excess. Then dip into the beaten eggs, letting the drips fall back into the bowl. Finally, roll the nugget in the panko-Parmesan mix, pressing lightly to adhere well.
  5. Place the coated nuggets on a wire rack over your sheet pan or directly on the lined baking sheet, leaving space between each to avoid steaming.
  6. Lightly spray the nuggets with olive oil or avocado oil spray to promote browning and crispness.
  7. Bake for 15 minutes. Flip the nuggets carefully with tongs or a spatula, spray again lightly with oil, and bake for another 10-12 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C).
  8. Let the nuggets rest for 5 minutes out of the oven before serving or packing into meal prep containers.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan to avoid soggy nuggets. Use panko breadcrumbs for a light, flaky crunch. Let the coating dry in the fridge for 10 minutes before baking for better adhesion. Flip nuggets halfway through baking for even browning. Lightly spray with oil to simulate frying and achieve crispiness. If coating browns too quickly, tent with foil. For extra crispiness, broil for last 2 minutes on low. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or use nutritional yeast. For gluten-free, substitute flour and breadcrumbs accordingly.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken nuggets, sheet pan chicken, crispy chicken nuggets, meal prep, easy dinner, baked chicken nuggets, healthy chicken nuggets

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/crispy-sheet-pan-chicken-nuggets-easy-meal-prep-recipe-ideas/