Heart-Healthy Crispy Fried Chicken Nuggets

Satisfy your craving for crispy, golden nuggets without compromising your health with this recipe for Heart-Healthy Crispy Fried Chicken Nuggets. Made with lean, boneless chicken breast, these nuggets are coated in a flavorful blend of whole wheat flour, breadcrumbs, and pantry spices like paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder to deliver a crunchy exterior that’s baked to perfection rather than fried. Lightly sprayed with olive oil and baked at high heat, these nuggets achieve a guilt-free crispiness without added grease or excess sodium, making them perfect for anyone seeking a wholesome, heart-conscious alternative to traditional fried chicken. Ready in just 45 minutes and served in four satisfying portions, they’re ideal as a main dish, protein-rich snack, or kid-approved dinner. You’ll love how this easy recipe transforms comfort food into a healthy kitchen staple!

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Chicken breast, boneless and skinless
• 1 cup Whole wheat flour
• 1 cup Whole wheat breadcrumbs
• 0.5 teaspoon Low-sodium baking powder
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 2 large Egg whites
• 0 as needed Olive oil spray
• 0.25 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (optional for heat)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

Cut the chicken breast into 1 to 1.5-inch nugget-sized pieces.

Step 3

In a shallow dish, combine the whole wheat flour, baking powder, paprika, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper if using.

Step 4

In another shallow dish, beat the egg whites until frothy.

Step 5

Have a third dish ready with the whole wheat breadcrumbs.

Step 6

Dip each chicken piece into the flour mixture, ensuring an even coat, then into the egg whites, and finally into the breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere well.

Step 7

Place the coated chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 8

Lightly spray the chicken nuggets with olive oil spray for a crispy finish.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, then flip each nugget over and continue baking for another 10 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.

Step 10

Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your heart-healthy crispy chicken nuggets as a main dish or a protein-rich snack!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(773.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1661.8

Total Fat 25.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 385.6mg	0%
Sodium 1849.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 175.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 28.5g	0%
Total Sugars 5.4g
Protein 181.0g	0%

Vitamin D 59.0IU	0%
Calcium 200.6mg	0%
Iron 15.8mg	0%
Potassium 2199.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 13.8%

Protein: 43.8%

Carbs: 42.4%