Imagine biting into a perfectly crispy, golden chicken nugget that's packed with flavor, healthier than fast food, and made right in your own kitchen - without the deep fryer! These homemade Oven Fried Chicken Nuggets and Boneless Buffalo Wings are about to revolutionize your weeknight dinner routine, offering restaurant-quality taste with a fraction of the calories and mess. Whether you're feeding hungry kids, hosting a game day party, or craving a delicious comfort food fix, this recipe is your ultimate culinary lifesaver.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 55 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Prepare three separate shallow dishes: one with flour seasoned with salt and pepper, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs.
- Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps breading adhere better.
- Dredge each chicken piece first in seasoned flour, shaking off excess, then dip into beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly in breadcrumbs.
- Arrange breaded chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching each other for even cooking.
- Spray the breaded chicken lightly with cooking spray or brush with olive oil to help achieve a crispy golden exterior.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until chicken is golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- For buffalo-style wings, remove chicken from oven and toss immediately in buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
- Let chicken rest for 3-5 minutes after coating to allow sauce to adhere and slightly cool.
- Serve hot with optional dipping sauces like ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Tips
- Pat chicken pieces completely dry before breading to ensure maximum crispiness and better breading adhesion.
- Use fresh breadcrumbs for a crunchier texture - avoid stale or pre-packaged breadcrumbs.
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet; leave space between nuggets for even air circulation and crispier results.
- For extra flavor, add garlic powder, paprika, or dried herbs to your breadcrumb mixture.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Let the nuggets rest briefly after coating with buffalo sauce to allow flavors to penetrate and sauce to slightly set.
- Experiment with different dipping sauces like honey mustard, ranch, or sriracha mayo for variety.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 358kcal
Carbohydrates: 18g
Protein: 41g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 186mg
