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This healthy recipe for homemade paleo chicken nuggets is freezable, easy to meal prep, and one that will please everyone!
Healthy Chicken Nuggets
My kids have a thing for Chick-fil-A so I decided to recreate the famous nuggets in a paleo version that it’s just as delicious as the regular chicken nuggets, has that irresistible texture, and it’s super easy to make at home.
Store-bought nuggets are usually not on the healthy side, but when you make them at home with real ingredients, it’s a great protein the kids (and adults) enjoy eating.
Bonus: you can freeze these nuggets cooked or uncooked and add this recipe to your list of family-friendly meal prep ideas. Amazing!
Ingredients
The seasonings make these chicken nuggets so delicious that everyone will love them, whether they follow a paleo diet or not! The printable recipe in below, but first, check what you need and why:
- Chicken breasts: or chicken strips. Cut them into even pieces.
- Eggs: coat the chicken and help the breading stick to the meat.
- Coconut flour: mixed with the seasonings, creates a delicious breading.
- Seasonings: onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Oil: for frying; or cooking spray if you use the air fryer.
How to Make Paleo Chicken Nuggets
Breading doesn’t have to be complicated; quite the opposite! With this recipe, making homemade paleo chicken nuggets is super simple. And by simple, I mean these easy steps:
- Prep the chicken
Pat drying the chicken helps the breading stick better. Once done, cut the chicken into nugget-size pieces. - Prep the coating
Use a bowl to whisk the eggs and a dish to combine coconut flour and seasonings. - Bread the nuggets
With a fork, dip the chicken in the egg, and then transfer each nugget into the flour mixture. Make sure the nuggets are well coated. - Cook
You can cook these paleo chicken nuggets in a pan with oil or in your air fryer.
Watch how easily these nuggets come together in this recipe video:
What to Serve With Paleo Nuggets
When making paleo nuggets at home, there are many ways you can turn them into a balanced meal! Paleo salads are always a great idea, from a simple bruschetta salad to my tasty Brussels sprouts salad.
Roasted veggies also make a great side for nuggets, or you can prep my epic Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice recipe that will make everyone drool! You can also add a dressing on the side to dip the nuggets, like homemade ketchup!
Storing Leftovers
Allow the paleo chicken nuggets to cool down before storing them in an airtight container or zip bag in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you want to enjoy them, heat them up in the microwave or the air fryer for 4 minutes at 360F.
I usually double the batch to freeze uncooked nuggets. Once breaded, I place them in a lined pan, freeze them, and store them in a zip bag for up to 3 months. To cook them frozen, add 2 to 3 minutes to the cooking time.
Eating Better as a Family
Turning family favorites -like chicken nuggets- into healthy and homemade meals is my moto and the reason why I created the Family KickStart Program, a 30-day paleo-based meal plan that helps you eat better with easy-to-make recipes. If you’re a busy parent like me, trying to eat real food, this program is for you!
Paleo Chicken Nuggets (Chick-fil-A Copycat)
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken breasts, cut into ½ inch cubes
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ½ cup coconut flour
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Oil , for frying
Instructions
Prep:
- Pat dry the chicken breasts with a paper towel and with a sharp knife, cut them into 1-inch, nugget-sized pieces.
- In a medium bowl, large enough to fit the nuggets, whisk the egg. Set aside.
- In a dish, combine the coconut flour and seasonings.
Bread the nuggets:
- Dip the chicken in the egg, using a fork to toss them around the bowl and coat them with the egg. Then, transfer them in the seasoned coconut flour mixture, making sure to turn the chicken to coat all sides.
Cook the nuggets:
- Pour enough oil into a frying pan to fill the pan about ¾" high. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 325F. You can use a meat thermometer to check the oil temperature. If you let the oil get too hot, the breading might brown or burn too quickly before the nuggets are cooked.
- Use kitchen tongs to grab the nuggets, shaking off any excess flour, and place them inside the pan while making sure there's about 1″ of space between them. Cook them for 2 to 3 minutes, using the tongs to flip them over, and cook them on the other side for another 3 minutes.
- Remove the nuggets from the oil onto a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil. Repeat the process with the remaining nuggets.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F for 5 minutes. Use kitchen tongs to remove the coated nuggets from the flour mixture onto a few paper plates (or a regular plate) and spray all the nuggets on both sides with cooking spray.
- Place the nuggets in the air fryer. Cook them for 12 minutes, making sure to flip them over or shake the basket halfway through to ensure the nuggets get golden brown on all sides. Larger nuggets might need up to 15 minutes. They're cooked when the internal temperature of the largest piece is 165F.
Sandy says
These nuggets were absolutely iNCREDIBLE! My kids (and husband) had NO CLUE they were paleo! Huge win.