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Chicken & Veggie Nuggets - Crispy, Kid-Friendly Bites You’ll Love

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb (450 g) ground chicken (or finely minced chicken breast or thigh)
  • 1 cup finely grated zucchini, excess moisture squeezed out
  • 1/2 cup finely grated carrot
  • 1/2 small onion, finely minced or grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (regular or panko), plus more for coating
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (optional, but adds great flavor)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • 1–2 tablespoons olive oil (for brushing or spraying)
  • Lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauces (ketchup, honey mustard, yogurt ranch) for serving

Method
 

  1. Prep the veggies: Grate the zucchini and squeeze out as much liquid as you can using a clean towel or paper towels. Grate the carrot and mince the onion and garlic.
  2. Mix the base: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, zucchini, carrot, onion, garlic, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano. Stir until the mixture is evenly blended but don’t overwork it.
  3. Chill for easier shaping: Cover and refrigerate the mixture for 15–20 minutes. This helps it firm up and makes shaping nuggets a breeze.
  4. Set up coating: Pour a thin layer of breadcrumbs onto a plate. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the mixture, shape into small ovals, and lightly press each nugget in breadcrumbs to coat both sides.
  5. For baking: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment. Arrange nuggets in a single layer, brush or spray with olive oil, and bake 10–12 minutes. Flip, brush again, and bake another 8–10 minutes until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F/74°C).
  6. For air frying: Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly oil the basket. Air fry nuggets in a single layer for 8–10 minutes, flip, and cook 4–6 minutes more until crisp and fully cooked.
  7. Rest and serve: Let nuggets rest 2–3 minutes to set. Squeeze a little lemon over the top and serve with your favorite dip.