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Healthy Grilled Chicken Nuggets

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Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts , cut into 1.25-inch nuggets
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 2% or whole for best tenderness
  • 2 tablespoons dill pickle juice optional but highly recommended for that familiar tang
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika smoked or sweet
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for heat
  • 1.5 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot for grain-free
  • Avocado oil spray or a light brush of olive oil for cooking
  • Optional dips Greek yogurt ranch, honey mustard, barbecue, or a hot honey drizzle

Method
 

  1. Trim chicken breasts and cut into even nugget-sized pieces (about 1.25 inches). Pat dry—moisture is the enemy of browning.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, pickle juice, olive oil, honey, Dijon, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne.
  3. Add chicken to the bowl and coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 8 hours. Longer = juicier and more flavorful.
  4. If grilling, heat to medium-high and oil the grates. If baking, preheat oven to 450°F (232°C) and line a sheet pan with parchment or a wire rack over a pan.
  5. Remove chicken from marinade. Toss lightly with cornstarch until just coated—no gloopy clumps.
  6. Spray nuggets with avocado oil. Grill 3–4 minutes per side until lightly charred and internal temp hits 165°F . Don't crowd.
  7. Arrange on prepared pan with space between pieces. Lightly spray with oil. Bake 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway. For extra browning, broil 1–2 minutes at the end.
  8. Let nuggets rest 3 minutes, then sprinkle with a pinch of salt. This final hit wakes up the flavor—don't skip.
  9. Plate with your favorite dipping sauces, a lemon squeeze, or toss in a bowl with a drizzle of hot honey if you're feeling bold.