What are two of the top kid-favorite foods in the U.S.? Yes, you guessed it – the chicken nugget, and of course, the French fry! However, rather than rely on processed frozen varieties, or worse yet, fast food establishments, why not create a real food “Happy Meal” at home.
And since these are so easy to make, why not get your kids involved in preparing them with you! It’s a blessed opportunity to teach your children not only how to cook, but how to eat healthy – two important skills that will last a lifetime!
For more kid-friendly recipes and cooking with kid tips, check out Kids in the Kitchen.
Time-Saving Tip: These delicious gluten-free, grain-free nuggets freeze great, so make a double batch to have on hand for days when you need a quick, but healthy meal! To freeze, simply loosen cooked chicken from bottom of the baking sheet, but leave chicken on the baking sheet and set aside to cool completely. Then, place baking sheet in freezer for a couple of hours to freeze the chicken. Once frozen solid, place chicken nuggets into a freezer safe container, or gallon-size ziplock baggie, and freeze. These reheat great in the oven or toaster oven. Simply thaw the frozen nuggets in the fridge first, then bake at 300 degrees until warmed through and crispy again, about 8-10 minutes.
Kids in the Kitchen: Set up all the ingredients and have your kids do the fun part – dredging the chicken in the GF breadcrumbs!
These gluten-free, grain-free nuggets are the perfect kid-favorite quick lunch or dinner! And because they are made with healthy real food ingredients, you can feel good about serving them!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pound of organic chicken breasts (fat trimmed, no skin)
- 2 tbsp cultured buttermilk (or non-dairy milk, such as almond milk, if you're DF)
- 1 large pastured egg
- 1/8 tsp each of the following herbs/seasonings:
- garlic powder
- dried parsley
- Celtic sea salt
- Fresh ground pepper
- 1 cup homemade breadcrumbs
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly oil a baking sheet with olive oil and set aside.
- In a wide shallow bowl or dish, whisk together Kefir, egg and seasonings until slightly foamy.
- For chicken strips/tenders: Cut chicken breasts into thin strips about a half-inch in thickness. For chicken nuggets: Cut chicken breasts into small chunks.
- Place chicken into the egg wash and be sure to turn them to ensure they are well coated with the egg wash. Allow chicken to sit in the egg wash about two minutes.
- On a large plate, add breadcrumbs.
- Remove chicken from egg wash, one piece at a time, and dredge through the breadcrumbs, making sure to thoroughly coat each side.
- Place chicken on oiled baking sheet, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and bake approximately 15-20 minutes, until breadcrumbs are lightly browned at top/edges and chicken is cooked through.
- Serve with Healthy Valley Ranch Dressing and Healthier French Fries.
Notes
Chicken Parmesan Dunkers: For a delicious chicken nugget parmesan, simply reduce the breadcrumbs to 3/4 cup and add 1/4 grated parmesan cheese. Serve nuggets with a side of warm marinara sauce. Yum!
Thank you for this recipe! My husband and I are going out of town and leaving our 2 boys with their grandmother who #1, has never kept them and #2, doesn’t quite get the healthy eating/diet change we’ve made. So I’ve written a menu and have tried to make everything ahead of time so it will be easy for her. I don’t want her to stress over it, plus I don’t want her to accidentally give something to the boys and then reap the consequences of their behavior later because of what they’ve eaten. But it has been a challenge to get everything cooked! Thanks for your great recipes! God bless your ministry!
Thank you, Missy, for your kind words! What a joy to be able to help you and so many other precious families! I thank God for enabling me to start this blog as I so enjoy and appreciate serving beautiful families like yours. I hope you and your hubby have a wonderful time together! What a great idea (and thoughtful too), that you made the food for your boys so their grandma can focus on having fun with them and not stressing over what to serve! So smart of you! Lots of blessings, Kelly 🙂
Thank you for the recipe. My three boys have approved:) So this is plus one to my healthy home cooking. Keep the good work! Blessings from Moscow, Russia!
Wow! How exciting to have a friend in Russia! Thanks, Maria, I’m so glad to hear your boys enjoyed these! Thanks for taking the time to write! Blessings to you and your family, Kelly 🙂
How awesome are you? Girl, you have saved me. Lol, love this recipe. I’m on a low carb-high protein meal plan and I’ve been looking for a recipe for biscuits for ages. Thank you so much for sharing. You’re a believer too, awesome
So glad you’re here! Hope you enjoy the recipes! Thank you for taking the time to leave a kind note! Yes, I am definitely a lover and follower of Christ! Lots of blessings to you, Kelly 🙂
Could you use almond or coconut milk in place of milk? Working with a milk allergy. Hoping he will grow out of or as we switch to more whole and natural foods that he will be able to have milk again. Thanks!
You absolutely can use almond milk without it impacting the flavor (coconut milk might give it too much coconutty-sweetness) – I should note that in the recipe! Thank you for this excellent question. Hope your little guy enjoys these as much as mine do! Blessings, Kelly 🙂
Hello again Kelly..
Lydia from Kingwood,Tx..
I just found your delicious chicken nugget recipe and cannot wait to try it soon..So thrilled that I finally found a family friendly recipe that is freezer friendly and you are able to reheat leftovers( if there is any):-)..
My one question is about the reheating ..eve though the nugget are already made ,would the temperate and time be the same just like when you make them before?
Thank you so much and have a blessed day,
Lydia
Great question, Lydia. Thaw the frozen nuggets in the fridge first, then bake at 300 degrees until warmed through and crispy again. The time will vary based on how many nuggets your reheating. I use a countertop “toaster” oven and it usually takes about 8-10 minutes. 🙂 Thanks for your kind words.
I’ve been looking for a recipe for my little girls as they love nuggets and we are trying to eat healthier so will be trying these soon. Thank you from Dubai, UAE! 🙂
You are so welcome! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a kind note! Blessings to you in Dubai! I love how the internet connects us all despite the distance! 🙂