Description
These Oven Baked Chicken Nuggets are a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional fried nuggets. Inspired by Chick-fil-A, they are gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, paleo, and Whole30 compliant. Marinated in a tangy almond milk and pickle juice mixture, then coated in a flavorful cassava flour blend, these nuggets come out crispy and tender without the need for frying.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 lb chicken breast
- ¼ cup pickle juice (Bubbie’s recommended)
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk (MALK Organics recommended)
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
Breading
- ⅓ cup cassava flour (Otto’s Naturals recommended; can substitute ¼ cup almond flour + 2 tbsp coconut flour)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Other
- Avocado oil spray (Chosen Foods recommended)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Rack: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with a wire cooling rack and spray the rack generously with avocado oil spray to prevent sticking and help crisp the nuggets.
- Make Marinade: In a bowl, combine the apple cider vinegar and unsweetened almond milk. Let this mixture sit for 5 minutes to create a buttermilk substitute. After sitting, add in the pickle juice and stir gently.
- Marinate Chicken: Cut the chicken breast into nugget-sized pieces as desired. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse and tenderize the chicken.
- Prepare Breading: In a flat-bottom bowl, mix together cassava flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until thoroughly combined.
- Coat Chicken Nuggets: One piece at a time, remove chicken from the marinade and toss gently in the breading mixture until fully and evenly coated. Place each coated nugget evenly spaced on the prepared wire cooling rack to ensure crisp cooking all around.
- Spray with Oil: Generously spray the coated nuggets with avocado oil spray to help them crisp up in the oven. Don’t be sparing here, this step is key for a golden, crispy coating.
- Bake Nuggets: Place the nuggets in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is golden and crispy.
- Serve: Remove the nuggets from the oven and serve warm. Enjoy your homemade, healthier chicken nuggets!
Notes
- For a nut-free variation, use cassava flour as listed instead of almond or coconut flour.
- Make sure to spray the wire rack and the nuggets well with avocado oil to achieve a crispy exterior.
- Marinating time can be extended to up to 1 hour for extra tender and flavorful nuggets.
- Use a meat thermometer to check chicken internal temperature; it should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure safety.
- These nuggets can be served with your favorite dipping sauces, like honey mustard, BBQ, or a paleo-friendly ranch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Oven Baked Chicken Nuggets, Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets, Paleo Chicken Nuggets, Whole30 Snack, Chick-fil-A Inspired, Healthy Chicken Nuggets, Egg Free Chicken Nuggets
