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
- 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
- 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.
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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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!
Nikki Frank-Hamilton recently posted…Perfect Gifts For Bloggers-Gift Guide
Extra crunchy and tons of flavor!
These look delicious and I know my girls would love them! You always have the best recipes!
Thank you! I hope they enjoy them!
These nuggets looks so crispy and delicious! Defiantly going to have to try to make some for myself ONLY!!!
They sure are! Haha!
Thanks so much for sharing these yummy Chicken Nuggets with us.
Miz Helen recently posted…Crunchy Top Brownies
Enjoy!
These look delicious! A friend of mine just found out her son has a gluten issue and he would love these!
Kate recently posted…Merry Monday Link Party #125
Every child has got to love some nuggets!
These look delicious! And great for the whole family. Thanks for sharing.
Scott Groth recently posted…Grilling Lamb Chops Like A Pro
They totally are!
Great recipe! My college friend has to eat gluten-free so I have to adjust my recipes whenever she visits. Thanks for sharing.
She’ll love these!
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.
Melissa Ruddy recently posted…The Week I Went Numb
You sure could! Don’t listen to ignorance, just make it homemade!
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.
Mel recently posted…Free From Fridays: A New Venture
Yea! I think it helps keep it moist and sticky!
I’m saving this one to make later. 🙂
Fantastic!
Oooh yum! Love the idea of using mustard to stick the crumbs on! def going to have to give them a go!
Mustard is always my egg-free go-to!
These look great but unfortunately I’m allergic to corn. Maybe I can try them with rice krispies? Hmm.. 🙂
Thanks for the post!
If you read the recipe notes, you’ll see that suggestion.
These gluten free chicken nuggets look so yummy I am tempted to try them for breakfast.
Hahaha, that could work!
These look wonderful! My kids love chicken nuggets when they were small and still do (and so do !) Thanks for the gluten free option.
Perfect! They will be sure to love these!
HI Rebecca,
I love chicken and gluten free chicken nuggets sound perfect for a healthy lunch with a salad. Pinned & Tweeted!
Marla recently posted…Real Food Fridays #160 – Believe in Real Food for Your Health
That they would!
My hubby makes the kids and I GF chicken nuggets from time to time but I love your breading variation, looks delish!
Annmarie recently posted…Vegetarian Game Day Recipes that Even Carnivores Will Crave
Thanks, Annmarie!
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. 🙂
Haha, right? This should be an essential cooking skill!
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! 🙂
Demeter | Beaming Baker recently posted…Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites (Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
Thanks, my friend!
That coating looks so crunchy!! And I love all the spices you used!
Ashley@CookNourishBliss recently posted…Our Favorite Fall Dinners (With Make-Ahead Tips!)
They are a bite of delish!
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!
I hope you enjoy them, Rachael!
What a unique idea using corn flakes or rice cereal! I’m not a meat eater but I love the idea 🙂
Thanks!
These look perfectly crisp and crunchy- YUM! Love how you used corn flakes in these!
Diana @ Live Lean Eat Green recently posted…Your Fall Produce Guide
Totally! Thanks, Diana!
Love chicken nuggets. they are like my easy snacks. I like them spicy though. Will try your recipe
Aish Padihari recently posted…Patishapta with Rabdi (Coconut Crepes Topped with Cardamom Cream Milk)
Thanks for that comment.
My baby is going to love these! I need to get some corn flakes!
Amanda recently posted…Gluten Free BBQ Chicken Calzones
Ah! Fantastic!
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
Farrah recently posted…Breast Cancer Screening
You better get some more 😉
Excellent recipe, so much better than the shop bought nuggets. I’ve used cornflakes on chicken before as a coating and it works well
Bintu – Recipes From A Pantry recently posted…Halloween Mini Pumpkin Muffins
Yup! Super crunchy!
Great idea! Especially for people who cannot eat gluten, like my dad. Thank you! 🙂
Quentin Jessen recently posted…The Freedom of Forgiveness
I know he’ll enjoy this!
Thank you! 🙂 He is diabetic, so I think it will be awesome to try it out. Yay.
Quentin Jessen recently posted…The Freedom of Forgiveness
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!
Julia Mueller recently posted…Apple Coffee Cake (Paleo)
Haha, yes!!! I loved them! Good thing I only had to share with my mom 😉 I’d have to fight your nieces and nephews!
I love chicken nuggets! Using corn flakes is such a great idea, they look so crunchy!
Cricket Plunkett recently posted…Review: First Fresh Chicken Sausage with Giveaway
Yes!! Always better homemade and super crunchy!
Oh these look so crispayyyyy! Wish I had these as a kid 🙁
rachel @ Athletic Avocado recently posted…Sweet Potato Chocolate Chip Homemade Granola Bars {Gluten-Free + Vegan!}
But we’re still kids, eh? 😉
My kids will go nuts for these! Love that its gluten-free too!
Thank you, Melissa!
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. 🙂
Michelle recently posted…Reuben Sliders with Homemade Russian Dressing
I think these would be a winner in the family!
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!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan recently posted…Potato & Salmon Dry Curry
Full of flavor and a bit more healthy 😉
It always shocks me to see how much soy is in food. Yes to ingredients you can pronounce!
Kortney // Allergy Girl Eats recently posted…Sweet Potato Mash with Caramelised Onion
Haha, yes! It’s crazy and SO unnecessary!
i’d like to try these and see how they freeze so i can pull them out for an easy weeknight dinner!
Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted…toddler friends
I bet they would freeze well! Just defrost in the toaster oven!
I use corn flakes as a coating too for chicken nuggets and fish fingers. Gives it such a great crunch, doesn’t it!
Elizabeth recently posted…Our Weekly Top Five Picks #6
It does! No need for panko!