Just what the kids love and the moms can feel good about giving! Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets that are healthy, homemade, and free of the top 8 allergens! Everyone can rejoice with this classic childhood dinner recipe and bring the health back to the family dinner table!
You didn't think I'd leave with just the side dish to one of the most favorite classic childhood dinner meals, did you? Never! I like to finish things I started; never leave a meal incomplete! Now, I've told you about my weird cravings for fish sticks awhile back, but chicken nuggets are something even stronger! Chicken nuggets are always a thing in our house (and still are a huge staple in my brother's, 22-year-old, diet. I know...I did the grocery shopping!)
Chicken nuggets are sadly so ultra-processed and full of fillers, oils, and weird unnecessary things (even the allergy-friendly brands). Needless to say, I hadn't had some good ole' chicken nuggets in years. I missed that childhood favorite, dipped in pools of ketchup. Damn the gluten, soy, egg, dairy....(really, why do that have to make everything with soy, even the more "allergy-friendly" brands?) Soy is cheap and GMO...I guess that's why. So unnecessary!
But hey, that just gives me a new challenge in the kitchen to tackle, which is fine by me. This old favorite of mine mustn't be keep away from my belly! Have you ever met a child who scorned chicken nuggets? I don't think so! It's a fast food staple too and you know I won't even begin to rant about that! It's bad enough buying the processed ones at the grocery store, but the fast food versions? NOOOOO!
My healthy golden nuggets are breaded in crushed corn flakes, spices, and some mustard to help the breading stick, then baked to perfection in the oven with not a drop of oil in sight. Say goodbye to anything that's a slurry of ground-up scariness or deep-fried and soaked in oil. You can pronounce the name of each ingredient here, see them all laid out, and probably have everything right in your kitchen at this very moment.
We can call these "classy nuggets". Not only will the kiddos love them, but you, my dear (older) reader, will too! Since I feel as though I'm part kid, part adult, I know these are approved by the masses. Totally approved by the food allergy folks! Chicken nuggets are essential to any childhood, there's no debate there! I guess there could be debate if you don't make it homemade. Good thing you no have homemade tater tots, homemade ketchup, and now homemade chicken nuggets!
When your kids come running home from school and asking, "What's for dinner? Chicken nuggets? Please!", you can now heed to their demands of nuggets and ketchup without a hint of guilt. You'll even have a perfect dinner for yourself as well! The whole family can sit down at the table and savor this childhood and family classic. A dinner full of conversation, healthy food, allergy-freedom, laughs, and love awaits!
Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets
PrintGluten-Free Chicken Nuggets
Just what the kids love and the moms can feel good about giving! Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets that are healthy, homemade, and free of the top 8 allergens! Egg-free, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free, no problem! Everyone can rejoice with this classic childhood dinner recipe and bring the health back to the family dinner table!
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Main
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken Tenders
- 2 Tsp Dijon Mustard
- Breading:
- 3 Cups Corn Flakes*
- 1 Tsp Dried Parsley
- 1 Tsp Dried Oregano
- ½ Tsp Paprika
- ½ Tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ Tsp Onion Powder
- ¼ Tsp Black Pepper
- ¼ Tsp Turmeric
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Cut the chicken tenders into 1-inch pieces and place in a bowl with the dijon mustard to coat them.
- In a large plastic bag, combine all the breading ingredients and crush to a fineness of your liking.
- Pour the coated chicken into the breading bag and shake to coat.
- Add the fully coated chicken to a greased baking dish with any additional breading sprinkled on top, and bake for 25 minutes in the oven.
Notes
*If you're allergic to corn, you can use a crispy rice cereal!
As they say, dinner is served! This will satisfy any chicken nugget craving you have, I guarantee you! I know my next task is to make homemade fish sticks...I will...eventually. For now, these nuggets will suit us all just fine. With some ketchup and potatoes, we just can't go wrong!
So tell me:
+ Are/were your kids (or you) a chicken nugget lovers?
+ What's a dinner meal you always asked for growing up?
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Nikki Frank-Hamilton
Now you've gone and done it! LOL You have achieved it all. Chicken nuggets that are homemade are so good. We don't make them often, and I usually use GF breadcrumbs, but I so need to try this, I never thought of using corn flakes. It's on! Making these soon!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Extra crunchy and tons of flavor!
Lisa J O'Driscoll
These look delicious and I know my girls would love them! You always have the best recipes!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! I hope they enjoy them!
Tana Mason
These nuggets looks so crispy and delicious! Defiantly going to have to try to make some for myself ONLY!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They sure are! Haha!
Miz Helen
Thanks so much for sharing these yummy Chicken Nuggets with us.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Enjoy!
Kate
These look delicious! A friend of mine just found out her son has a gluten issue and he would love these!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Every child has got to love some nuggets!
Scott Groth
These look delicious! And great for the whole family. Thanks for sharing.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They totally are!
Christine
Great recipe! My college friend has to eat gluten-free so I have to adjust my recipes whenever she visits. Thanks for sharing.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
She'll love these!
Melissa Ruddy
My kids doctor told us to stop giving them chicken nuggets but these seem to be something I can feel good about feeding them. Thanks for sharing.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You sure could! Don't listen to ignorance, just make it homemade!
Mel
That's exactly how we make ours (without the herbs) and the children love them! Dijon mustard is perfect for enhancing the taste of the meat, and the corn flakes give such lovely crispiness.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea! I think it helps keep it moist and sticky!
alexa.al
I’m saving this one to make later. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Fantastic!
Midgie
Oooh yum! Love the idea of using mustard to stick the crumbs on! def going to have to give them a go!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Mustard is always my egg-free go-to!
Amethyst
These look great but unfortunately I'm allergic to corn. Maybe I can try them with rice krispies? Hmm.. 🙂
Thanks for the post!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
If you read the recipe notes, you'll see that suggestion.
JUlie Syl Pit StopVCRew
These gluten free chicken nuggets look so yummy I am tempted to try them for breakfast.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha, that could work!
Pam
These look wonderful! My kids love chicken nuggets when they were small and still do (and so do !) Thanks for the gluten free option.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Perfect! They will be sure to love these!
Marla
HI Rebecca,
I love chicken and gluten free chicken nuggets sound perfect for a healthy lunch with a salad. Pinned & Tweeted!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That they would!
Annmarie
My hubby makes the kids and I GF chicken nuggets from time to time but I love your breading variation, looks delish!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks, Annmarie!
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
I wish I knew of how to make these for myself years ago instead of buying boxes and boxes of them from a well known burger joint!
These are an awesome alternative. I wouldn't hesitate to make these at any time for Lynne and I. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, right? This should be an essential cooking skill!
Demeter | Beaming Baker
These little nuggets are so perfectly golden and crispy looking! So cool that you created a much healthier version of the old childhood favorite. Also, love that you provided an alternative coating option for those who might be allergic corn. Such a fun recipe, Rebecca! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks, my friend!
Ashley@CookNourishBliss
That coating looks so crunchy!! And I love all the spices you used!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They are a bite of delish!
Rachael
These look delicious! I love that you used turmeric too. I developed gluten intolerance last year after my daughter was born. Pinning this, and plan to subscribe to see your future recipes!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I hope you enjoy them, Rachael!
Georgianna
What a unique idea using corn flakes or rice cereal! I'm not a meat eater but I love the idea 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Diana @ Live Lean Eat Green
These look perfectly crisp and crunchy- YUM! Love how you used corn flakes in these!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Totally! Thanks, Diana!
Aish Padihari
Love chicken nuggets. they are like my easy snacks. I like them spicy though. Will try your recipe
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks for that comment.
Amanda
My baby is going to love these! I need to get some corn flakes!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Ah! Fantastic!
Farrah
Yummy! 😀 I love this variation--it looks so good! Kinda sad that I recently just finished off my box of cornflakes, but once I obtain more, I'm gonna have to try this! <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You better get some more 😉
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry
Excellent recipe, so much better than the shop bought nuggets. I've used cornflakes on chicken before as a coating and it works well
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yup! Super crunchy!
Quentin Jessen
Great idea! Especially for people who cannot eat gluten, like my dad. Thank you! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I know he'll enjoy this!
Quentin Jessen
Thank you! 🙂 He is diabetic, so I think it will be awesome to try it out. Yay.
Julia Mueller
My gaaaah these look addicting! I love that you used corn flakes for an ultra crispy and tasty nugget experience. I could seriously see myself making a ginormous batch of these and sharing them with my 10 nieces and nephews..they'd be gone in 2 seconds flat!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, yes!!! I loved them! Good thing I only had to share with my mom 😉 I'd have to fight your nieces and nephews!
Cricket Plunkett
I love chicken nuggets! Using corn flakes is such a great idea, they look so crunchy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes!! Always better homemade and super crunchy!
rachel @ Athletic Avocado
Oh these look so crispayyyyy! Wish I had these as a kid 🙁
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
But we're still kids, eh? 😉
Melissa
My kids will go nuts for these! Love that its gluten-free too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you, Melissa!
Michelle
We haven't had chicken nuggets in eons here, but I bet my kids would love these! And I know my niece and nephews would as well! I try to avoid the processed stuff whenever I can. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think these would be a winner in the family!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan
Rebecca - what a simply brilliant chicken nuggets recipe! I am so loving your use of mustard to coat these chicken nuggets and your spice and herb cornflake coating! These are some cravalicious nuggets, my friend!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Full of flavor and a bit more healthy 😉
Kortney // Allergy Girl Eats
It always shocks me to see how much soy is in food. Yes to ingredients you can pronounce!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, yes! It's crazy and SO unnecessary!
Linz @ Itz Linz
i'd like to try these and see how they freeze so i can pull them out for an easy weeknight dinner!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I bet they would freeze well! Just defrost in the toaster oven!
Elizabeth
I use corn flakes as a coating too for chicken nuggets and fish fingers. Gives it such a great crunch, doesn't it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It does! No need for panko!