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!
Servings: 14 nuggets
Calories: 89kcal
Equipment
- 2 mixing bowls one for chicken, one for breading
- 1 baking tray lined with parchment paper
Ingredients
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Nuggets
- 1 lb. ground chicken Smart Chicken
- ¾ cup broccoli florets cooked and chopped small, make sure the broccoli is fully dry, not wet. Florets only
- ½ cup mild cheddar cheese finely shredded
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese grated
- 1.5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ - ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Breading
- ¼ cup plain breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
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.In a separate mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, finely chopped cooked broccoli florets, shredded mild cheddar cheese, garlic powder, paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, grated parmesan cheese, and extra virgin olive oil into a mixing bowl. Mix until well combined.Bake for 25-30 minutes flipping halfway through. You might need to give the second side a gentle spray with avocado 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. The internal temperature should hit 165 degrees to ensure doneness. Once cooked through, remove from the oven and enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, finely chopped cooked broccoli florets, shredded mild cheddar cheese, garlic powder, paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, grated parmesan cheese, and extra virgin olive oil into a mixing bowl. Mix until well combined.
- Lightly wet your hands with water and form the nuggets. Lightly wetting your hands prevents the chicken from sticking to your fingers. It is very important that nuggets are the same size, shape and thickness. This will allow for even cooking for all of the nuggets. 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 lightly with avocado oil cooking spray.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes flipping halfway through. You might need to give the second side a gentle spray with avocado 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. The internal temperature should hit 165 degrees to ensure doneness. Once cooked through, remove from the oven and enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce.
Video
Notes
It is very important that nuggets are the same size, shape, and thickness for even cooking. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees to ensure doneness.
Cooking time will vary based on the size of your nuggets.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQ's
Can I boil the broccoli? Yes, you can boil the broccoli until soft, but make sure it is well dried before chopping it. Press it firmly with a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture. You do not want to add soggy or wet chopped broccoli to the mixture. Also, be sure to remove the stems, florets only. Can I make smaller nuggets? Yes, cooking time will vary based on size of the nuggets. How do you shape the nuggets? It is very important that nuggets are the same size, shape and thickness. This will allow for even cooking for all of the nuggets. Why do you lightly wet your hands with water when forming the nuggets? Lightly wetting your hands with water will prevent the chicken mixture from sticking to your hands. My ground chicken is still slightly frozen, is that ok? NO! Even slightly frozen ground chicken holds a lot of moisture which will ruin the nuggets. They will be soggy versus crispy. What type of baking tray should I use? Use a full sheet pan lined with parchment paper for these nuggets. You want to make sure there is enough room between the nuggets so the hot air can circulate and cook them faster! No overlap!Nutrition
Serving: 1serving or 1 nugget. Makes 14 nuggets | Calories: 89kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 116mg | Potassium: 194mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 79IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 0.4mg