Description
These Nutritious Chicken and Broccoli Nuggets are a healthy and tasty twist on classic chicken nuggets, featuring shredded chicken breast combined with steamed broccoli and Parmesan cheese. Baked to perfection for a crispy texture without frying, these nuggets make a great snack or meal option full of protein and vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetable Mixture
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken breast
- 1 cup steamed and finely chopped broccoli
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Binding and Cooking
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly coat the parchment paper with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, finely chopped steamed broccoli, bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Add Eggs: In a separate bowl, beat the two large eggs. Pour the beaten eggs into the chicken and broccoli mixture and stir until everything is well combined and the mixture holds together.
- Form Nuggets: Using your hands, shape the mixture into small nugget-sized portions. Place each nugget evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Drizzle with Olive Oil: Lightly drizzle the formed nuggets with olive oil to promote browning and help them crisp up while baking.
- Bake Nuggets: Bake the nuggets in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Flip each nugget halfway through the baking time to ensure even golden browning and firm texture.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the nuggets from the oven and let them cool slightly on the baking sheet before serving them warm.
Notes
- Make sure the broccoli is finely chopped and well-steamed to blend smoothly with the chicken mixture.
- You can substitute bread crumbs with gluten-free crumbs if desired.
- Adjust salt and seasoning to taste.
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the nuggets for an additional 1-2 minutes at the end, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- These nuggets can be served with your favorite dipping sauce like ranch, honey mustard, or a spicy aioli.
