Garlic Parmesan Chicken Nuggets
Kids and adults will love Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites. Make this healthy recipe for lightly breaded nuggets in the oven or an air fryer.
Servings 6 servings
Calories 287kcal
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.
Video
Notes
See step-by-step pictures, serving ideas, and more above!
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.
- 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.
Nutrition
Calories: 287kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 426mg | Potassium: 559mg | Vitamin A: 205IU | Vitamin C: 3.1mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 1mg
