These crispy, healthy chicken nuggets are gluten free, simple to prepare and are made with all wholesome ingredients. These healthy chicken nuggets are so much tastier and more nutritious than the frozen ones!
These healthy chicken nuggets are so simple to make for the kids (and adults too). There aren't any bread crumbs in these, just all healthy, clean ingredients. I make a bunch of these at once and freeze them to take out and reheat for a quick weeknight meal.
The kiddies have no clue that they are eating tons of fiber, antioxidants, protein and omega-3-fatty-acids. Shhhhhh…… I won't tell if you won't tell 😉 It'll be our secret,
But to be honest, adults love these too. I mean, doesn't everyone love a good chicken nugget? Well, not everyone of course. I should know that since I am one of the pickiest eaters EVER.
And it's funny, I have one kid who doesn't like to dip them in anything, one likes your standard ketchup dip and my other one likes to dip them in hot sauce! To each his own. What do you like to dip your nuggets in? My old friend used to dip hers in ranch dressing and although I used to think it was weird, it sounds really delicious to me now.
Honestly ranch could taste amazing on almost anything. I said almost, though. I still don't get the whole pizza and ranch sauce thing.
Is that a southern thing? Nope, I don't get it.
Check out just how easy they are to make with my new video...
Why You Should Make These Healthy Chicken Nuggets
Most of the store bought chicken nuggets contain a whole lot of junk. Now full disclosure here, I am not saying that I won't ever give my kids those. There are busy nights where I have no choice because life is too busy to make a homemade meal.
And I don't believe in shaming other parents for buying them. We are all just doing our best, right? On days and nights where we have some extra time, why not make these?
Maybe double or tripe the recipe and freeze some for later? That's what I try to do. And on those crazy nights I serve them the frozen store bought variety. I just read the ingredients to make sure they aren't completely load with nonsense.
These nuggets are made with all ingredients that you should most likely have in your pantry most of the time too, so that is always a help. I like to buy the chicken breasts or tenderloins and cut them up because my kids tend to like nuggets with white meat better.
I know readers have told me that they have used boneless chicken thighs in here as well and they came out great. Use what you like (or really whatever you have in your house) to make it easier. Let me know if you use the chicken thighs though, I'd love to hear what you think!
I would also love to hear some brands of store bought chicken nuggets that have real, wholesome ingredients. This is probably not the most popular nutritionist question out there, again I am keeping it real here. And when you post it on my site you are also helping out those other parents out there with your suggestions!
Most of you know I am very realistic and I promote a lifestyle of moderation and balance. I don't like shaming anyone else, it really bothers me. If you are vegan, dairy free, gluten free or whatever and feel strongly about it, go for it! Just don't judge anyone else for not eating the same way.
Ok, enough of that. It just really, really bothers me.
I have also had readers tell me that they have made these in the air fryer and they came out beautifully. I don't even have an air fryer so I can't speak to that, but I love that they still came out delicious!
Maybe I need to invest in one of those air fryers. Do you have one and love it? Let me know, I have been thinking about it for a while now.
Related Recipes
One Dish Salsa Chicken Bake from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Healthy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes from Well Plated
Easy Balsamic Chicken from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Easy Healthy Baked Lemon Chicken from Creme de la Crumb
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Healthy Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast cut into bite size pieces
- ¾ cup ground flax seed
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon basil
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease a baking sheet.
- In a medium bowl, place flax seed, chia seeds, Parmesan cheese, salt, oregano, basil and garlic. Mix well.
- In another separate medium bowl, place eggs and mix well.
- Line up the bowls and place each piece of chicken into egg mixture, then flax/chia mixture. Lay onto prepared baking sheet until all the chicken is used.
- Discard any remaining egg or flax mixtures.
- Cook chicken for 25 minutes or until cooked through, making sure to turn over once halfway through. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to seven days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Martha @ A Family Feast
We're always looking for kid-friendly, gluten free food ideas for a young family member when he comes to our house for dinner. Looks great!
Lauren @ Healthy Delicious
I love that you "breaded" these with chia and flax instead of breadcrumbs. Yum!
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos
Lauren - these look delicious! Will have to give it a whirl to jazz up weeknight chicken - plus with the healthier punch, even better 🙂
Stephanie @ Back for Seconds
Who knew you could make these low carb? Such a great recipe and I know my kids will love them!
Mary Anne
I made these over the weekend and they were a hit with my family. The kids LOVED them! Thank you
NK
Just a quick question! When you say 1/4 Parmesan Cheese Grated - Do you mean 1/4 Cup? Also, the Basil, is it fresh or dried?
lauren.kelly
Hi there! Yes, I meant 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese 🙂 And I used dried basil too. Sorry for the typos, I hope you like them!
Erin
I would like to try these but my son can't have eggs. Do you have any suggestions for an egg free dip before putting the coating on? Thanks
lauren.kelly
Hi Erin! Have you tried flax eggs? Mix 1 tablespoon flax meal plus 3 tablespoons water and stir. That can easily replace 1 egg. I hope you like them!
Christine
I really enjoyed these chicken nuggets. I didn't have any flaxseed so I used almond meal. I used nutritional yeast instead of the parmesan cheese and it was really delicious. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
lauren.kelly
I am so glad to hear that Christine, thank you for telling me! 🙂
Aurora
Just curious...what was the contribution of the yeast to the texture, taste, crunchiness 🙂
Marjorie
I used this breading for skinless thighs. They are baking now & I can't wait to taste them!
lauren.kelly
I hope you like it Marjorie! 🙂
raw chocolate
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on chicken nuggets.
Regards
Lydia
These are delicious! Will definitely be making these again. Thanks for the recipe!
lauren.kelly
I am so glad you liked them Lydia! 🙂
Meliza
I cooked this recipe for dinner, my husband didn't care for it. I thought it was alright. Definitely helped with my craving for crunchy foods. We are on a low Carb diet so we don't eat any breads. We have tried the pork rind breading with chicken which was very good bit definitely not as healthy . Thanks for the recipe.
Aurora
Hi Meliza,
Just curious...Was it crunchy? seeds did not get soggy? Also, just wondering if anyone tried sesame seeds for breading...whole vs ground? on all seeds 🙂
lauren.kelly
No they were crunchy! The seeds weren't crunchy but the nuggets were soggy. I hope you like them Aurora!
Candice
Seems like a wonderful recipe and I can't wait to try it! Out of curiosity, do you freeze them before or after you bake them?
lauren
Hi Candice! I freeze them after I bake them. It's a healthier alternative to those frozen chicken nuggets at the grocery store. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Soraya Sarcos
It looks delicious and easy to make. I'm definitely trying this next weekend.
Thanks for sharing the recipe.
lauren
Hope you like them! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
lauren
These are my favorite! Hope you like them too!
Smoki
I'm wondering how many servings would you say this serves? I'm trying to get weight watchers points for my tracking and I made these before I joined and loved them! Thanks for these!
lauren
That would be difficult to say, maybe take not when you are cutting the breasts as to how many nuggets per breast? Then 1 breast would equal one serving, I would guess that 3 or 4 nuggets would equal one breast. Thank you so much, so glad you liked them!