3 Ingredient Easy Chicken Nuggets
These Easy 3 Ingredient Chicken Nuggets are crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. Just stir together the ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, and seasonings…that’s it! Air fry for the perfect crunch. Make ahead and freeze for easy toddler meals or kids’ lunch boxes. My kids go crazy for these chicken nuggets and I know yours will too.
Kids in the Kitchen:
- Raw meat and kids? Kids, maybe 6/7 and up, are most likely mature enough to handle raw meat and help mix and form the nuggets. I don’t recommend toddlers and younger children handle raw meat. They are too likely to touch their faces or other surfaces. However, there are many other parts of this recipe that are very kid friendly. See below. It’s also important to explain why we have to be careful around raw meat and how we always wash our hands after cooking with raw proteins.
- Dump and mix: Even if your kids don’t handle the raw meat, they can add the beaten egg, breadcrumbs and seasonings to the bowl. After adding the ingredients, have kids hold a spoon with you and mix a few times together.
- Air fryer: Show kids what buttons to press to turn on the air fryer. Talk about safety and how we don’t touch the air fryer unless a grownup is there to help because it can get really hot.
- Serving: Even if kids don’t help with this recipe, they can be involved by choosing a dip and sides to serve the nuggets with. Kids can get things out of the fridge or help get plates and utensils ready to go.
Subs and Tips for Making Easy Chicken Nuggets:
- Air fryer: There are many different air fryers out there on the market. However, I’m completely in love with my Cosori TurboBlaze Air Fryer. It cooks faster and and it’s easier to use than any other air fryer I’ve tried. If you want to check it out, head to the link HERE. Use my discount code HEATHERS10 for 10% off if you decide to purchase.
- Gluten-free: There are many kinds of gluten-free breadcrumbs at the store these days. If you can’t find gluten-free Panko breadcrumbs, the finely ground kind are fine to use. Because they are so fine, you won’t need the entire 2/3 cup as indicated on the recipe card. Start with 1/2 cup then add more as needed to form a sticky but manageable chicken mixture.
- Egg-free: I have not tested this recipe without eggs. However, a liquid egg replacer such as Just Egg would work well. Also, you could try using 3 tablespoons of milk mixed with the breadcrumbs to help bind everything together.
- Freezer instructions: These nuggets freezer really well. Freeze them uncooked in a single layer then transfer them to a container or freezer bag once frozen solid. Cooking instructions from frozen are in the notes sections of the recipe card below.
3 Ingredient Easy Chicken Nuggets
Seriously the easiest, moist and tender homemade chicken nuggets.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 2/3 cup Panko breadcrumbs, plus extra for coating if using gluten-free or regular style breadcrumbs, start with 1/2 cup
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder and onion powder (optional)
- oil spray, for cooking
Instructions
- Mix ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, and seasonings, if using, in a large bowl. You can use a spoon but I find clean hands work best.
- Form the mixture into nugget shapes. It should be slightly sticky but able to roll into a ball. You can dampen your hands with water if you are having trouble forming the nuggets. (I use about 2 tablespoons of the mixture per nugget.) You should get 22 to 24 nuggets.
- Place about 1/3 cup more breadcrumbs into a bowl and press each nugget into the breadcrumbs to coat.
- Place the nuggets into your air fryer. You may have to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Spray the nuggets with oil. Cook at 400 degrees for 4 minutes then flip each nugget, spray with oil, and cook for another 4 minutes (or until golden brown).
- The nuggets can be stored in a container in the refrigerator for 4 days. They are best reheated in the air fryer at 375 for 5 to 7 minutes.
Notes
To freeze: Place the nuggets in the freezer in a single layer either on a plate or a parchment-lined sheet pan. Freeze until solid then place in freezer bags. To reheat, air fry at 375 for 6 minutes per side.
Oven instructions: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Place nuggets on a greased rack for best results. Bake until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
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Need more dinner ideas?? Check out my post, Kids Friendly Make Ahead Dinner Recipes!