Parmesan Chicken Bites
The best chicken nuggets you will ever have – crisp-tender and completely homemade with Parmesan goodness!
I hope you all had a great Christmas holiday! We stuffed ourselves with turkey, ham, sweet potato casserole, creamed corn, Korean BBQ, and Filipino spaghetti, while Butters sat around in his awesome yet very tight-fitting Santa suit.
But now that the holidays are over, I can finally share these epic chicken nuggets. Although chicken nuggets can really be eaten any time of the year, any time of the day – breakfast, lunch, dinner, midnight snack – you name it.
You just can’t say no to chicken nuggets, especially when they’re cooked to absolute crisp-perfection, loaded with that freshly grated Parmesan. And it’s sure to bring out the kid in you as you dunk these bad boys in ketchup and honey mustard!
Parmesan Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup Panko*
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Instructions
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper, to taste.
- In a large bowl, combine Panko, Parmesan, garlic powder and smoked paprika; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
- Working in batches, dredge chicken in flour, dip into eggs, then dredge in Panko mixture, pressing to coat.
- Add chicken to the skillet, 5 or 6 at a time, and cook until evenly golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Serve immediately, garnished with Parmesan and parsley, if desired.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
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Amazing! Loved the crunch and the cheesy chicken – for sure a winner for our family!
Can we do these in the air fryer? If so what temp and how long
I did the same because I only had Italian breadcrumbs and regular paprika available at home. Overall came out so yummy! A tip I recommend is keeping flame on medium for first batch and then lowering it for the successive batches. This might be a DUH comment from seasoned cooks, but sharing for those just starting out like me!
Great flavor! I baked the bites at 450 for 20 min and they came out perfect. Spray pan with a little ebooks and on top as well. Nice and crispy.
What are ebooks?
how many people does this recipe serve?
What temperature should the bites go in at?
About 350 degrees F.
Can these be frozen? I am making a bunch of food for my neighbors. The dad was just diagnosed with leukemia. I’m getting a care package together, and want them to be able to freeze some of the food.
You are so sweet!
Freezing sounds like an amazing idea but unfortunately, I cannot answer this with certainty as I have never tried freezing this myself. Please use your best judgment for freezing and reheating.
Hi Kathy, I have frozen these nuggets in the past. I flash freeze them for about 4-5 hours. Place in an air tight container or freezer bag.
Using a non stick cooking spray product, spray a wire rack and place on top of a cookie sheet. Place the chicken frozen nuggets on top and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes at 325 to 350 degrees.
They come out really quite tasty and I also make chicken strips the same way so rather than cut the chicken into cubes just cut them up into strips hope you like this, enjoy!
Hi chungah, I was wondering if I could use coconut oil? And if I could use rice flour or cornstarch for the flour.. Do those substitutions seem like they would work?…… I just have to say I love your recipes. Without fail they have turned out perfect everytime I make one of your recipes
Hi Jamela! Unfortunately, without further recipe testing, I cannot answer with certainty. As always, please use your best judgment regarding substitutions and modifications.
I think i will make these and put them on top of spaghetti and marinara. Maybe melt some mozzarella all over everything. YUM! And don’t forget the garlic toast!
That all sounds amazing, Jenny!
These are some of our favorite chicken nugget recipes! We use the Italian panko crumbs to add more flavor!!! I also use just regular paprika only because I’m not a big “smoke” flavor person!
I did the same because I only had Italian breadcrumbs and regular paprika available at home. Overall came out so yummy! A tip I recommend is keeping flame on medium for first batch and then lowering it for the successive batches. This might be a DUH comment from seasoned cooks, but sharing for those just starting out like me!
I really like these! I did a bit of tweaking with the spices to suit my tastes but overall a wonderful recipe!
When baking, do you need to spray them? I’d prefer not to fry. Thanks.
Yes.
I just want you to know that my family absolutely loved these! Instead of spraying, I cooked them in the oil on each side for a minute or so, just to get them brown and then finished in the oven. They were delicious! Thank you for your quick response and I look forward to trying more of your recipes!
how long did you bake them for and on what temperature?
I love your recipe! I picked up your book with a gift card I rec’d for Christmas and tried this on Sunday. I cooked mine in my air fryer with a spritz of oil and they still came out awesome! Thank you. I can’t wait to work my way through the book!
What temperature and for how long in air fryer?
Hahahaha chicken Not hockey hahaha I have no idea where the heck that come from
It doesn’t seem like 5-6 minutes isn’t enough time for hockey to get good and done How long did you guys cook them
This was cooked for 3-4 minutes as noted in the recipe. However, the cooking time here is simply an estimation. Please cook as long as needed until the chicken is fully cooked through.
This is one great recipe for cheese lovers.
Such a nice idea to add parmesan! I’m cheese the taste is insane 🙂
What is the dipping sauce that you used? Would Tomato sauce work ok?
Ketchup, Ranch and/or mustard would be great dipping choices.
Just a word to tell you, I’ve been planning to make these nuggets since I printed your recipe. I just did.
I’m more than happy and my husband is delighted.
Ŧhanks for your great cooking ideas.
Have a great day.
wow! where have these been all my life? i have tried many chicken recipes and though this one is simple, it is very delicious if you’re craving chicken strips from your local fast food place. there’s a lot more delicacy to them. the crunch is perfect. not too much or too little. and my daughter loved them, another added bonus. i never post on recipe sites but this was so good, i had to! thank you!