Description
These Baked Buffalo Chicken Nuggets are a deliciously spicy and crispy appetizer made with tender chicken breast pieces coated in a zesty hot sauce and breadcrumb mixture, then baked to golden perfection. Perfect for game day or a tasty snack, they offer the classic buffalo flavor with a healthier twist by baking instead of frying.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
Sauce
- 3 tbsp hot sauce
- 2 tbsp butter (melted)
Coating
- 2/3 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it is hot enough to cook the chicken nuggets quickly and get them crispy.
- Prepare Chicken: Trim any fat off the boneless skinless chicken breasts, then cut the breasts into 1.5 inch pieces for even cooking and manageable nugget size.
- Make Sauce Mixture: In a dish, whisk together melted butter and hot sauce until well combined to create a flavorful coating for the chicken pieces.
- Combine Coating Ingredients: In a separate dish, mix Italian bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder to prepare the seasoned crumb mixture for extra flavor and crunch.
- Coat Chicken: Toss the chicken pieces in the hot sauce and butter mixture until evenly coated, then dredge them in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to adhere the coating.
- Arrange Nuggets: Lightly grease or spray a baking sheet to prevent sticking, then lay the coated chicken nuggets on the sheet spaced at least 1/2 inch apart. Use two baking sheets if needed to avoid overcrowding.
- Bake Nuggets: Place the baking sheet on the lower rack of the oven and bake for 4-5 minutes. Then move the sheet to the upper rack and bake for another 4-5 minutes to cook the nuggets through and start crisping the coating.
- Optional Broil: For extra crispiness, broil the chicken nuggets for the last 2-4 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning, until the coating is golden and crunchy.
Notes
- Make sure chicken pieces are uniform in size for even cooking.
- Use a wire rack on the baking sheet for even crispier results.
- Adjust hot sauce quantity to your preferred spice level.
- Remaining nuggets can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- Broiling is optional but recommended for a crispier texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: buffalo chicken nuggets, baked chicken nuggets, spicy chicken nuggets, appetizer, game day recipes, buffalo sauce
