Easy Homemade Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Nuggets
These easy homemade broccoli cheddar chicken nuggets are a fun twist on my broccoli cheddar chicken burgers. They’re a great way to sneak veggies and protein into your family’s diet without sacrificing the flavor! Plus, you only need a few simple ingredients to pull this recipe together.
Enjoy these homemade chicken nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce. Ketchup, BBQ, or honey mustard would all taste great. You can also serve them over a salad or tucked inside of a wrap if you’re feeling creative. Baked to golden brown perfection, you are going to fall in love with these easy homemade chicken nuggets.
About Smart Chicken
After nine years without eating meat, I started eating chicken again because of Smart Chicken. The organic Smart Chickens are exclusively fed a certified organic, certified non-GMO diet, and are never given antibiotics, hormones, or animal by-products.
Every chicken is free to roam, with access to outdoor pastures. Smart Chicken is USDA Process Verified as pure air chilled, without added water and are hand-trimmed for your convenience. The result is the best-tasting, highest-quality fresh chicken on the market.
This post is sponsored by Smart Chicken. While I was compensated for my time, all opinions are my own.
Ingredients Needed for Homemade Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Nuggets
Ground Chicken – For this recipe, I used one pound of Smart Chicken’s ground chicken. I was able to get 14 nuggets from this recipe. Bake for 24-26 minutes. Smaller nuggets may require less time. No matter what size, you’ll want the internal temperature to reach 165 degrees to ensure doneness.
Cooked Broccoli – You’ll need about one cup of cooked and finely chopped broccoli for this recipe. If you boil the broccoli, make sure it’s well drained before chopping it. Option to microwave it instead. Just following the directions on the package if available.
Cheese – You’ll also need ¾ cup of shredded mild cheddar cheese and two tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese.
Spices – Season your ground chicken mixture with garlic powder, paprika, salt and black pepper.
Olive Oil – Adding olive oil to the chicken mixture will keep the chicken moist and flavorful.
Breading – Combine plain and panko breadcrumbs for the perfect outer crust. The panko adds an extra layer of crispiness that’s hard to resist.
How to Make Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Nuggets
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Set aside.
Combine the plain and panko breadcrumbs in a bowl. Set aside.
Add the ground chicken, finely chopped cooked broccoli, shredded mild cheddar cheese, garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, grated parmesan cheese, and olive oil into a mixing bowl. Mix until well combined.
Wet your hands with water and form the nuggets. Wetting your hands prevents the chicken from sticking. Once the nuggets are formed, run them through the breading making sure they are well coated on both sides.
Place the breaded nuggets on the prepared baking tray. Spray the nuggets with olive oil cooking spray.
Bake for 24-26 minutes flipping halfway through. You might need to give the second side a gentle spray with olive oil cooking spray too. Broil the nuggets for 1-2 minutes for some extra color and crispiness. Please note** smaller nuggets may require less cooking time.
Once cooked through, remove from the oven and enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce.
Storage
Store leftover nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to four days. Reheat in the microwave. Looking for more recipes?
Easy Homemade Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Nuggets
- 1 lb. ground chicken, Smart Chicken
- 1 cup broccoli florets, cooked and chopped small
- ¾ cup mild cheddar cheese, finely shredded
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated
- 1.5 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Breading
- ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
Equipment
- 2 mixing bowls one for chicken, one for breading
- 1 baking tray lined with parchment paper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Combine the plain and panko breadcrumbs in a bowl. Set aside.
- Add the ground chicken, finely chopped cooked broccoli, shredded mild cheddar cheese, garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, grated parmesan cheese, and olive oil into a mixing bowl. Mix until well combined.
- Wet your hands with water and form the nuggets. Wetting your hands prevents the chicken from sticking. Once the nuggets are formed, run them through the breading making sure they are well coated on both sides.
- Place the breaded nuggets on the prepared baking tray. Spray the nuggets with olive oil cooking spray.
- Bake for 24-26 minutes flipping halfway through. You might need to give the second side a gentle spray with olive oil cooking spray too. Broil the nuggets for 1-2 minutes for some extra color and crispiness. Please note** smaller nuggets may require less cooking time.
- Once cooked through, remove from the oven and enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce.
2 Comments on “Easy Homemade Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Nuggets”
I’m hoping to be able to freeze these for quick lunches! Any thoughts or tips?
I haven’t tried freezing them, but I’d make sure they are in an airtight bag and separated so they don’t stick together.