Baked Chicken Nuggets (Chicken Scampi)

Kids and adults will both love these tried and tested delicious and healthier Homemade Chicken Nuggets. Regular and gluten-free options here, too. Both are equally yummy!

Kids and adults will both love this delicious and healthier Homemade Chicken Nuggets. Regular and gluten-free options here, too. Both are equally yummy! | manilaspoon.com

A few years ago our church published a cookbook entitled “Among Friends”. They contain recipes shared by the lovely and talented ladies from our church. I have used this cookbook often (the wear-and-tear shows!) and have discovered so many delicious recipes.

Some of them I return to time and again ’cause my family simply loves them. One of the recipes which we’ve cooked many many times (years, in fact) is the Chicken Scampi by Rebecca Braam.

This is such a wonderful chicken dish, beloved by kids and adults alike. It’s quite easy to do as well, which I always like in a recipe!

Kids and adults will both love this tried and tested, delicious and healthier Homemade Chicken Nuggets. Regular and gluten-free options here, too. Both are equally yummy!

I would normally prepare this with bread crumbs as stated in the original recipe but for this version I  made it low-carb and gluten-free because Mark is trying a gluten-free diet and I am doing a low-carb diet.

Works well for us! Instead of bread crumbs, I used ground almonds as a substitute.

Honestly, I was surprised that it turned out so good! Am glad that whenever we need to go wheat-free, there is this lovely alternative.

We don’t need to miss out on our favorite chicken dish! Of course, for those who don’t need to be wheat-free, feel free to use the bread crumbs. They are both great, either way!

The original recipe called for about 2-3 lbs of chicken breasts but my small family can only manage one so the recipe has been measured to serve a small family of 4 (mine!). Feel free to adjust the amount if you wish to serve it to more people. Enjoy!

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FOR FULL RECIPE & INSTRUCTIONS and to PRINT, SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW.


WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS FOR BAKED CHICKEN NUGGETS (CHICKEN SCAMPI)?

For the Garlic-Butter Seasoning

  • 3 Tbsp butter
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and pressed

For the Chicken Nuggets

  • 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs or 1/2 cup ground almonds or gluten-free bread crumbs for the gluten-free version
  • 3 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 Tbsp dried parsley flakes
  • 1/2 tsp powdered garlic
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
  • 1 lb chicken breasts (about 2-3 pieces), cut into cubes (bite-size nuggets)

*If you don’t fancy the wheat-free version, use seasoned dry bread crumbs (like Italian)  for the same amount.


HOW DO YOU MAKE BAKED CHICKEN NUGGETS (CHICKEN SCAMPI)?

Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). In a shallow baking dish or sheet pan, place the butter, oil, and garlic. Transfer the pan to the oven and allow the butter and oil to melt as the oven heats up.

As the oven heats up, prepare the chicken. Place the dry ingredients (bread crumbs or ground almonds [or gluten-free bread crumbs]), parmesan cheese, parsley, powdered garlic, paprika, and salt) in a large bowl. Mix.

Add the chicken and coat with the mix. Alternatively, you may place the chicken with the dry ingredients in a large clear plastic bag. Shake until the chicken parts are fully coated.

Take the sheet pan or baking dish out of the oven. Add chicken and coat with the garlic -butter sauce.

Return the pan to the oven. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.

Enjoy with rice, of course! We serve it with a homemade and very simple dipping sauce made from ketchup and mayo.

Have a lovely meal!

Kids and adults will both love this delicious and healthier Homemade Chicken Nuggets. Regular and gluten-free options here, too. Both are equally yummy! | manilaspoon.com

Adapted from Chicken Scampi by Rebecca Braam (Among Friends Cook Book)

Kids and adults will both love this delicious and healthier Homemade Chicken Nuggets. Regular and gluten-free options here, too. Both are equally yummy! | manilaspoon.com

Baked Chicken Nuggets (Chicken Scampi)

Kids and adults will both love these tried and tested delicious and healthier Homemade Chicken Nuggets. Regular and gluten-free options here, too. Both are equally yummy!
5 from 19 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 211 kcal

Ingredients
 

For the Garlic-Butter Seasoning

  • 3 Tbsp butter
  • 1 Tbsp oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and pressed

For the Chicken Nuggets

  • 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs or 1/2 cup ground almonds or gluten-free bread crumbs for gluten-free version
  • 3 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 Tbsp dried parsley flakes
  • 1/2 tsp powdered garlic
  • 1/2 tsp paprika,
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1 lb chicken breasts (about 2-3 pieces), cut into cubes (bite-size nuggets)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). In a shallow baking dish or sheet pan, place the butter, oil and garlic. Transfer the pan to the oven and allow the butter and oil to melt as the oven heats up.
  • As the oven heats up, prepare the chicken.
  • Place the dry ingredients (bread crumbs or ground almonds [or gluten-free bread crumbs]), parmesan cheese, parsley, powdered garlic, paprika, and salt) in a large bowl. Mix.
  • Add the chicken and coat with the mix. Alternatively, you may place the chicken with the dry ingredients in a large clear plastic bag. Shake until the chicken parts are fully coated.
  • Take the sheet pan or baking dish out of the oven. Add chicken and coat with the garlic -butter sauce.
  • Return the pan to the oven. Bake for about 20 minutes or until chicken is tender and fully cooked.
  • Enjoy with rice, of course! We serve it with a homemade and very simple dipping sauce made from ketchup and mayo.

Nutrition

Calories: 211kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 19gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 507mgPotassium: 340mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 334IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 57mgIron: 1mg
Keyword easy recipe baked chicken nuggets, gluten free recipe baked chicken nuggets
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Last updated on March 4th, 2023 at 05:55 pm

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25 Comments

  1. August 24, 2012 / 3:02 am

    Great vegan bread coating! Must try on other things now…..

    Thanks Abby!

  2. August 24, 2012 / 1:09 pm

    Thanks for dropping by Jen. Trying to be a little healthier every step of the way.

  3. Anonymous
    January 5, 2013 / 6:17 pm

    I am curious if these would freeze well. I was just thinking of making extra and when my daughter is hungry she could microwave them or warm them in the oven for a snack. I am trying to find alternatives to buying the frozen snack foods and save some money in the process.

    • January 5, 2013 / 7:52 pm

      I see no reason why it cannot be frozen though I haven't tried it myself. When we do have left-overs I just put them in the fridge and reheat them in the oven the next day. So, if that's possible I think it can be frozen and reheated this way too. That's actually a great idea so thank you for asking. Next time, I will make a double batch and freeze some! Glad you stopped by! 🙂

  4. January 21, 2013 / 12:30 pm

    Hi,
    Please can you tell if the red powder in the dry ingredients is paprika, it does not feature in the list of ingredients.
    Will surely try this along with the Spinach Quiche Cups…
    Thank u for sharing

    • January 22, 2013 / 4:54 am

      Yes, it is and thanks for pointing that out! Hope you enjoy it!

    • April 10, 2013 / 3:20 am

      Thanks for pinning! We do love this dish and would have this often. Hope you enjoy it, too!

    • October 25, 2013 / 12:05 am

      Hope you enjoy it. This is a huge family favorite. Thanks for stopping by.

  5. January 19, 2014 / 5:02 am

    Oh, I hope you get to try these Swasthi! This is a huge favorite in our house and is often eaten!

  6. March 19, 2016 / 2:34 pm

    This looks like a great recipe! I'm pinning this one! 🙂

  7. Kathryn
    May 25, 2023 / 9:51 am

    5 stars
    These are the tastiest chicken nuggets I’ve had! We loved them and especially loved how they are baked. Making this again for lunch, YUM!

  8. Beth
    May 25, 2023 / 9:55 am

    5 stars
    These nuggets are delicious! The coating is perfect. It’s not too heavy and not to light. We had this last night, and we loved it. I’m going to make a double batch to freeze some next time.

  9. Whitney
    May 25, 2023 / 10:44 am

    5 stars
    We are a family of four too, we eat A LOT of chicken and I am always looking for new ways to switch it up. Can’t wait to try these!

  10. Jen Vinuya
    May 25, 2023 / 11:21 am

    5 stars
    This is so good and delicious! My kids enjoyed these! Thanks for the recipe!

  11. Ali
    May 25, 2023 / 12:24 pm

    5 stars
    These baked chicken nuggets are such a tasty dinner, especially with the garlic butter seasoning!

  12. Anjali
    May 25, 2023 / 12:28 pm

    5 stars
    Love how these are healthier than regular chicken nuggets but taste just as good as the traditional version! Yum!

  13. imsen
    May 25, 2023 / 1:07 pm

    5 stars
    This Chicken nugget looks so amazing! I love the combination of the spices! Thanks for sharing

  14. Alison Saalbach Corey
    May 25, 2023 / 1:34 pm

    5 stars
    Your recipes are a true haven for food lovers. The way you describe the flavors and textures of your dishes makes me feel more excited to try them.

  15. Colleen
    May 25, 2023 / 1:34 pm

    5 stars
    My whole family loved these. I made them with gluten-free breadcrumbs and they were perfect.

  16. Diana Reis
    May 25, 2023 / 1:35 pm

    5 stars
    This is a fun recipe. The scampi style ingredients really punch up the flavor.

  17. Bryan Vincent
    January 8, 2024 / 5:12 pm

    5 stars
    These are delicious! I put them on top a salad instead of rice but it has such a good flavor. Quick and easy, highly recommend.

    • abigail
      Author
      January 9, 2024 / 8:54 am

      Yay! So glad you enjoyed these chicken nuggets. I often make this because it’s a family favorite.

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