Homemade Chicken Nuggets (using Ground Chicken)

Last Tuesday night I made some homemade chicken nuggets and they turned out so good.  I've made chicken bites before, with pieces of chicken breast, but I don't know why I've never tried making these with ground chicken.  What an ingenious idea!!  They have the same kind of consistency as the pre-fab chicken nuggets but without all the fillers, just straight chicken with a few seasonings.  They were pretty much amazing.  I think we definitely found a new favorite recipe for around the house.  Now only if I can convince my super picky 3 year-old to eat them, then we're good!

Here is the recipe I followed:

Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Adapted from: Amanda's Cookin' (She also has great pictures to follow)

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 35-40 nuggets

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 3/4 teaspoon of parsley flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of pepper
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup of flour
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup Italian Breadcrumbs (can use regular too)
• 1/2 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
• Light tasting olive oil

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. While oven is preheating cut chicken breasts into cubes, then place in a food processor. Process chicken into a fine paste. Transfer processed chicken to a bowl. Combine salt, parsley, onion powder, and pepper, and sprinkle over chicken. Combine well.
3. Whisk eggs together in a small bowl. Combine the flour and salt in a small bowl. Combine both breadcrumbs in another bowl.  3 bowls total here.
4. Measure chicken paste out and roll into balls (about 35-40, 1- 1/2 " balls).
5. Roll ball in flour, then coat with egg, and then coat in breadcrumbs. Use your fingers to press the ball down to make a nugget. Brush generously with oil. 
6. Once oven is preheated, bake nuggets for 18-20 minutes flipping halfway between cooking time.  I like to cook mine on a wire cooling rack that's on top of the cookie sheet to ensure even baking on both sides.  Nuggets are done when chicken is cooked through and the outside is golden brown.
7. Enjoy!