Name: Cheesy Chicken Nuggets
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 500 g chicken breast or thigh (ground or cut into bite-sized pieces); 1 large egg; 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend); 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese (optional); 1 cup breadcrumbs or panko; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1/2 tsp paprika (optional); 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp chopped herbs (parsley, optional); Cooking spray or 2 tbsp oil (for baking or frying)

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Combines juicy chicken with the gooey goodness of melted cheese — a win for chicken lovers and cheese lovers alike.
Baked (or lightly fried) at home, so you control the ingredients and avoid some of the additives in store-bought nuggets.
Versatile enough for weeknight dinners, party snacks or lunchboxes.
Easily customizable with different cheeses, coatings or seasonings to match your taste.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Chicken (ground or cut into bite-sized pieces)
Egg(s)
Shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella or a blend)
Grated parmesan cheese (optional for added flavour/curl)
Breadcrumbs or panko (for coating)
Flour (for breading, if using)
Garlic powder, onion powder (seasoning)
Salt and pepper
(Optional) Herbs or paprika for an extra flavour boost
Cooking spray or a little oil (for baking/frying)

Directions

Preheat your oven (or prepare your fryer/air-fryer) to about 200 °C (≈400 °F) for baking.
Prepare the chicken: If using whole chicken breast or thigh, cut into nugget-sized pieces; if using ground chicken you can shape into nugget-sized portions. Mix the chicken with shredded cheese, parmesan (if using), egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper until well combined. (See a version of this method.)Set up your breading station: one bowl with flour, one with beaten egg (or egg wash), and one with breadcrumbs/seasoned panko mixture (you may include extra parmesan, garlic powder or herbs here). For example: breadcrumbs + parmesan + paprika + salt.
Take each chicken-cheese portion and dredge in flour, then egg, then press into the breadcrumb mixture so it’s well coated. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (or greased) if baking. If frying, warm oil accordingly. (Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, then flip and continue for another 8-10 minutes until golden brown and the cheese inside is melted and the chicken is cooked through. (Uneven sizes or thicker pieces may require slightly more time.)Let the nuggets rest briefly on the tray (a minute or two) so the cheese doesn’t all ooze out. Serve warm with your favourite dipping sauce.

Servings and timing

Makes approximately 4-6 servings (depending on portion size).
Preparation time: ~10-15 minutes.
Cooking time: ~20-25 minutes (baking method).
Total time: ~30-40 minutes.

Variations

Use different cheese combinations: try pepper jack for a spicy kick, or mozzarella + cheddar for gooey melt.
Swap breadcrumbs for a gluten-free coating (e.g., almond meal + parmesan) for a lower-carb version.
For extra flavour, add herbs (like parsley, rosemary) or spices (paprika, cayenne) into the breadcrumb mix.
Make mini nugget “bites” by shaping smaller portions for kids or appetizers.
Instead of baking, you can lightly pan-fry or use an air-fryer to achieve a crispier exterior.
Serve nuggets in wraps, salads or with dipping sauces like honey-mustard, ranch or garlic mayo.

Storage/Reheating

To store: After cooking, let the nuggets cool then place in an airtight container. They’ll keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
To reheat: Preheat oven to ~175-180 °C (350-360 °F). Place the nuggets on a baking sheet and heat for about 8-10 minutes until warmed through and crisp. Avoid microwaving if you want to retain crispiness.
Freezing: You can freeze cooked nuggets in a single layer (on a tray) then transfer to a freezer bag for up to ~1 month. Reheat from frozen in oven at ~200 °C until internal temperature is safe and coating is crisp again.

FAQs

1. What kind of chicken works best?

You can use boneless skinless chicken breast or thigh, cut into nugget-sized pieces. Alternatively, ground chicken can be used to mix with cheese and form nuggets. The ground version gives you a meatball-like shape and is very popular.

2. Can I avoid frying and still get crispy nuggets?

Yes — baking at a high temperature (around 200 °C / 400 °F) with a breadcrumb/panko coating and a light spray of oil will create a crispy exterior without deep-frying.

3. How do I know the nuggets are cooked through?

The coating should be golden brown and the cheese inside should be melted. For safety, ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 °F / 74 °C (if you have a meat thermometer).

4. Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes — you can prepare the nugget mixture and even shape them ahead, refrigerate them and bake a little later. Just store covered in the fridge and bake as directed when needed.

5. What dipping sauces go well with cheesy chicken nuggets?

Classic options include honey-mustard, ranch, garlic mayo or barbecue sauce. You can also try spicy sriracha mayo, buffalo sauce or a simple ketchup-mayo mix.

6. Can I make them low-carb or gluten-free?

Absolutely — for low-carb, you can use almond flour or parmesan + cheese coating instead of breadcrumbs. For gluten-free, choose gluten-free breadcrumbs or panko alternatives.

7. How can I keep the cheese from leaking out of the nuggets?

Use a slightly heavier cheese (shredded or grated) mixed into the chicken or placed in the middle of a nugget shape, then press the coating firmly so it seals. Let them rest briefly after baking to set before serving.

8. Can I use frozen chicken or precooked chicken?

You can use precooked shredded chicken in some simplified recipes (with cheese & egg mixed, then baked) but for best texture and flavour, using raw chicken and baking/frying fresh gives better results.

9. How big should each nugget be?

About 1½ tablespoons (or ~2 Tbsp) of mixture shaped into a nugget size works well. This size cooks nicely through without over-browning.

10. Are these suitable for children?

Yes — they’re very kid-friendly thanks to the cheesy flavour and nugget shape. You may just want to adjust spice levels and ensure the pieces are small enough for children to eat safely.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a fun, cheesy upgrade to the classic chicken nugget, these Cheesy Chicken Nuggets deliver flavour, crunch and comfort. With simple ingredients, a bit of preparation and a baking tray you’re well on your way to a crowd-pleasing snack or meal that everyone will dig into. Whether it’s for dinner, parties or lunchboxes, they’ll hit the spot. Enjoy!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ingredients

Directions

Servings and timing

Variations

Storage/Reheating

FAQs

1. What kind of chicken works best?

2. Can I avoid frying and still get crispy nuggets?

3. How do I know the nuggets are cooked through?

4. Can I make these ahead of time?

5. What dipping sauces go well with cheesy chicken nuggets?

6. Can I make them low-carb or gluten-free?

7. How can I keep the cheese from leaking out of the nuggets?

8. Can I use frozen chicken or precooked chicken?

9. How big should each nugget be?

10. Are these suitable for children?

Conclusion

Cheesy Chicken Nuggets

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition