Description
3 Ingredient Crispy Chicken Nuggets are easy, golden and crunchy with just cooked chicken, cheese, and an egg. Great for quick meals or snacks!
Ingredients
Scale
6 oz cooked chicken breast
1 cup shredded mozzarella or parmesan cheese (94 g)
1 large egg (or 1.5 eggs for parmesan version)
Instructions
- Shred the cooked chicken breast: Add the chicken breast to a food processor, pulse a few times until fully shredded.
- Add cheese and egg(s): Into the food processor, add the shredded cheese and the egg(s). Mix on high speed until the cheese and egg are fully incorporated. The cheese shreds should not be easily noticeable but finely chopped into the chicken. Scrape the sides and bottom of the processor to ensure even mixing. Uneven mixing leads to uneven browning.
- Scoop and shape: Use a 1.5-tablespoon scoop to pick up the chicken mixture. Press lightly into your palm to compact, then shape into an oval patty about ¼-½ inch thick (or any nugget shape you prefer). Place finished nuggets onto a sheet of parchment paper. Repeat until mixture is used.
- Cooking method:
- Air Fryer Version: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204 °C). Grease the inner basket plate with cooking spray. Arrange nuggets so none touch (you may need batches). Optionally spray cooking oil onto the surface of the nuggets for a more evenly browned coating. Cook for about 8 minutes, check and quickly flip, then cook for ~2 more minutes (still at 400°F) or until both sides are evenly browned and crispy.
- Oven Version: Preheat oven to 400°F (204 °C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment. Place nuggets making sure none touch. Optionally spray the nugget surfaces with cooking oil spray (for better colour). Bake ~20 minutes, then flip and bake another ~5 minutes or until both sides are evenly browned and crispy. Note: the oven version can be slightly drier and browning may be less even.
- Serve immediately while crispy, or store leftovers (see Storage Instructions below).
Notes
Parmesan version needs 1.5 eggs to bind well.
Air fryer yields crispier, evenly browned nuggets.
Optional oil spray enhances browning but not required.
Store cooked nuggets in fridge or freezer and reheat in oven/air fryer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (Air Fryer) / 25 minutes (Oven)
- Category: Appetizer, Snack, Dinner
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 nugget
- Calories: 42
- Carbohydrates: 0.02 g
- Protein: 6 g