High Protein Homemade Chicken McNuggets

Satisfy your fast-food cravings guilt-free with these High Protein Homemade Chicken McNuggets—a healthier, flavor-packed twist on a beloved classic. Made with tender chicken breast coated in crispy panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and a savory blend of spices, these nuggets are air-fried or baked to golden perfection for a lower-fat alternative to deep frying. Perfectly seasoned and packed with protein, they come together in under 40 minutes, making them an ideal option for quick weeknight dinners or meal prep. Pair with your favorite dipping sauces for a nutritious, family-friendly treat that's even better than takeout!

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams Chicken breast
• 2 Eggs
• 2 tablespoons Milk
• 100 grams Panko breadcrumbs
• 50 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
• 60 grams All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0 Olive oil spray

Directions

Step 1

Cut the chicken breast into equal bite-sized pieces, approximately the size of traditional McNuggets.

Step 2

In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until well combined.

Step 3

In another bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 4

Place the all-purpose flour on a separate plate.

Step 5

Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour, shaking off the excess.

Step 6

Dip the floured chicken piece into the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off.

Step 7

Coat the chicken piece in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating sticks.

Step 8

Preheat an air fryer to 200°C (400°F) or preheat the oven to the same temperature.

Step 9

Lightly spray the air fryer basket or baking sheet with olive oil spray.

Step 10

Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the baking sheet, making sure the pieces don’t touch.

Step 11

Spray the tops of the nuggets lightly with additional olive oil spray.

Step 12

Cook in the air fryer for about 10-12 minutes or bake in the oven for 15-18 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and golden brown. Flip halfway through cooking for even browning.

Step 13

Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(854.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1720.2

Total Fat 47.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 18.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.5g
Cholesterol 854.7mg	0%
Sodium 5688.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 132.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.9g	0%
Total Sugars 9.4g
Protein 195.2g	0%

Vitamin D 95.0IU	0%
Calcium 776.2mg	0%
Iron 12.1mg	0%
Potassium 1783.9mg	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: 24.7%

Protein: 44.8%

Carbs: 30.5%