Baked Chicken Parm Nuggets

Baked Chicken Parm Nuggets are easy to make and way more delicious than frozen nuggets. And they're much better for you as well. They're an awesome dinner for kids and grown ups alike.

I was a picky eater with a busy schedule and a stressed out mom. I was very active and easily distracted and would often forget to eat. Though my mother tried to offer me healthier options as a child, her main goal was to just get me to eat something, anything. Frozen chicken nuggets definitely fit the bill.

These days, I'm slightly more discerning, but only slightly. I definitely turn my nose up at a frozen nugget made from scraps of chicken pieces compressed into a spongy sort of foam. Homemade chicken nuggets made from actual chicken breast that I cut and breaded myself are another matter all together. Get your dipping sauces out, kids. I'm definitely into that.

What makes Baked Chicken Parm Nuggets so awesome?

These Baked Chicken Parm Nuggets are brined in buttermilk to keep them juicy and tender. Then they're coated in a crunchy layer of breadcrumbs and the flavor gets amped up with a heaping helping of grated Parmesan. And to make my life easier, they're baked instead of fried. I guess that makes them healthier as well.

I love to make these for dinner and pull all the condiments out of my fridge for a variety of dips. My favorite is to serve them with sweet potato fries when I can because it makes me happy. I've also made these for parties with little tooth picks next to them so people can wander past and pop a nugget into their mouths. It's straight up fun, and people love it.

Make it magical

As a kitchen witch, I believe that all cooking is inherently magical. There's a process of transmutation when you bring your ingredients together with the elements and your intention that creates something better than gold. And while I think semi-homemade cooking can still be magical, there is a beautiful power in taking the extra time to cook from scratch.

As kitchen witches, we can lovingly choose each ingredient, knowing its physical and metaphysical properties more clearly. We can create something that is uniquely our own. We can work love and protection into every step. And when we share our food with those we love, we can feel pride and warmth in the effort we put into nourishing them. Even if they don't always appreciate it, we know the magick we've weaved for them.

Tips for making Baked Chicken Parm Nuggets

So while this is certainly more cumbersome than opening a bag of frozen nuggets and dumping them on a baking sheet, it's hardly difficult. There is a bit of planning involved as you want to give your chicken pieces some time to hang out in the buttermilk. But you can totally do this the night before and leave it in the fridge overnight.

In a shallow container, you're going to mix up an awesome crumb coating with lots of Parmesan cheese along with a few spices. You can adjust the spices based on your taste, but I like some garlic granules and paprika. A dash of cayenne never hurt anything either.

Then just pull your chicken pieces out of their buttermilk bath, dredge them in the crumb coating, and arrange them on a wire rack over a baking sheet. The rack allows the air to circulate around the chicken for maximum crispiness. The last tip is to spray a bit of oil on each nugget to help them crisp up. Then just pop them in the oven, giving them a flip about halfway through. They take about 15 minutes. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces.

If you're ready to take your chicken nugget game to the next level, you really need to try these Baked Chicken Parm Nuggets. It's gonna be awesome.

Looking for more awesome chicken recipes? Try this Chicken & Goat Cheee Pasta or some Garlic & Herb Baked Chicken.

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