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Kids and adults will love Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites. Make this healthy recipe for lightly breaded nuggets in the oven or an air fryer.
These parmesan chicken nuggets are perfect for the kiddos, especially dunked in marinara or alfredo sauce.
But I'm a mom and love these tender, cheesy nuggets, too, particularly on salad greens. They turn parmesan kale salad into a hearty meal. Come dinner, everyone is happy!
Unlike many frozen nuggets you buy at the store, these are mostly chicken, making them low-carb and keto-friendly. They're healthier, too, because they're baked, not fried.
Looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer? They're a huge hit as boneless chicken wings at parties! I drizzle them with lemon garlic aioli and watch them quickly disappear.
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Ingredient Notes
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this easy recipe for parmesan garlic chicken bites:
- Boneless, skinless chicken cut into nugget-sized pieces. Use poultry shears or a knife to cut the chicken into strips and the strips into bite-sized pieces about 1 to 1½ inches long. Try to keep the pieces as uniform as possible to ensure even cooking.
- Butter and/or olive oil are used as the binder for the breading, but an egg can be used instead.
- Parmesan cheese, finely grated.
- Breadcrumbs - Plain, seasoned, or panko breadcrumbs will work, depending on the texture you enjoy.
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
Be sure to check out parmesan-crusted scallops and parmesan cauliflower bites, which use a variation of this Parmesan breading!
Please refer to the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and detailed instructions.
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites
Follow these easy steps to make cheesy garlic parmesan chicken bites in the oven:
Step 1
Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces (1 to 1 ½ inches) and pat dry.
Step 2
Combine melted butter and olive oil in a small bowl and breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a second bowl.
Dip the chicken pieces in the wet binder, allowing the excess butter to drip off. Next, dredge each piece of chicken in the dry breading mixture.
Step 3
Place the chicken pieces directly on a baking sheet. Or, to allow air circulation, place a cooling rack on top of a baking sheet, coat it with cooking spray, and place the chicken pieces on top. Lightly spray the chicken with olive oil or cooking spray for crispier chicken bites.
Step 4
Cook the Parmesan chicken bites in the oven at 375°F for about 15 minutes. If desired, turn the oven temperature to broil for a few minutes to brown and crisp further. The exact timing will vary based on the size of the chicken pieces.
Air Fryer Instructions
Bread the chicken bites the same way under either method. Follow these steps to cook them in an air fryer:
- Place chicken nuggets in a single layer on the crisper plate or the basket after it has been misted with olive oil.
- Cook for 10-15 minutes at 375°F, ideally flipping the chicken bites halfway through. Check them frequently until you have a good idea of how your machine works and the proper timing. The chicken bites are done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F, and the outsides are golden brown.
Note: A 4-quart air fryer handles about 1 pound of chicken at a time.
Top Tips for Crispy Nuggets
- Spritz the Parmesan chicken nuggets with cooking spray before cooking.
- Broil for the last few minutes of the cooking time.
- Don't crowd the pan. Cook the nuggets so that the air circulates by placing them on a cooling rack over a sheet pan or using an air fryer.
What to Serve With Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites
Parmesan chicken nuggets are super versatile and perfect for dipping in marinara, garlic aioli, or alfredo sauce. I also serve them with a green bean appetizer that you can eat with your fingers.
If I'm trying to be a little more formal, I pair them with classic sides like crispy green beans and one-pot fettuccine alfredo or low-carb zucchini alfredo.
Storage
Store leftover garlic parmesan chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat them in the air fryer or oven until crispy.
Freeze Parmesan Chicken Nuggets before or after cooking them:
- Option 1: Cook the nuggets and allow them to cool. Then, place them in a single layer in a freezer bag. Once frozen, the nugget breading should stay on, and the bag can be stored upright. Reheat the nuggets in an air fryer or oven.
- Option 2: Prepare the nuggets, but don't cook them. Place them in a single layer in the freezer-safe container. Keep them in a single layer until you're ready to cook them. Cook from frozen by adding about 10 minutes to the cooking time. Or defrost them overnight in the refrigerator and cook them per the directions.
If your family enjoys this Italian-inspired flavor profile, check out chicken parmesan meatballs and eggplant parmesan stacks.
More Chicken Recipes
Would you like more easy, healthy, carb-conscious recipes?
📋 Recipe
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Chicken, boneless, skinless cut into 1 ½ inch pieces
- 2 Tablespoons butter melted
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- ⅓ cup bread crumbs, seasoned or Pankdo
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. If using an air fryer, preheat for 3 minutes.
- Pat chicken dry with a paper towel.
- Combine melted butter and olive oil in a large bowl.
- Combine melted butter and olive oil in a small bowl and breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a second bowl.
- Dip the chicken pieces in the butter mixture, allowing the excess butter to drip off. Next, dredge each piece of chicken in the dry breading mixture.
Oven
- Place the chicken pieces directly on a baking sheet. Or, to allow air circulation, place a cooling rack on top of a baking sheet, coat it with cooking spray, and place the chicken pieces on top. Lightly spray the chicken with olive oil or cooking spray for crispier chicken bites.
- Cook the Parmesan chicken bites in the oven at 375°F for about 15 minutes. If desired, turn the oven temperature to broil for a few minutes to brown and crisp further.
Air Fryer
- Place chicken on a crisper plate misted with olive oil. Lightly spray the chicken with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Cook for 10-15 minutes at 375°F, flipping halfway through or until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center. Pause and check progress as needed.
- Under either method, the internal temperature should reach 365°F.
Notes
- Spritz the Parmesan chicken nuggets with cooking spray before cooking.
- Broil for the last few minutes of the cooking time.
- Don't crowd the pan. Cook the nuggets so that the air circulates by placing them on a cooling rack over a sheet pan or using an air fryer.
- Option 1: Cook the nuggets and allow them to cool. Then, place them in a single layer in a freezer bag. Once frozen, the nugget breading should stay on, and the bag can be stored upright. Reheat the nuggets in an air fryer or oven.
- Option 2: Prepare the nuggets, but don't cook them. Place them in a single layer in the freezer-safe container. Keep them in a single layer until you're ready to cook them. Cook from frozen by adding about 10 minutes to the cooking time. Or defrost them overnight in the refrigerator and cook them per the directions.
Gerri says
Marjory,
I can't keep up with you - You have so many wonderful recipes that are easy and delicious. Can't wait to try these nuggets. They, without a doubt, will be wonderful.
Marjory Pilley says
Thanks Gerri! I hope you enjoy them!
April says
I love how easy and delicious these are!
Marjory says
Thanks! I'm glad you like them!
Nancy Buchanan says
So wish I'd had this recipe when my kids were young - brilliant! I love the different breading options!!!
Marjory says
Thanks! It's definitely a time-saver!