Easy Baked Cornflake Chicken Nuggets
Oven-Baked Chicken Bites! This easy family recipe features tender boneless chicken breast baked in the oven and served with an irresistible Sriracha mayo. Get creative with your seasoning mix—it’s a quick assembly, and the result is delicious.
This recipe doesn’t involve frying, something I try to avoid these days, it’s easy to prepare and will give the satisfaction of having a nutritious meal, cooked in the healthier way possible.
Pair it with a Greek-style tomato cucumber salad and your lunch or dinner will be ready in less than 30 minutes. For an extra boost of flavour, serve with a 3-ingredient no-oil protein mayo as a dipping sauce—it’s healthy, creamy, and perfect for adding a protein-packed twist to your meal!
For perfect sides to complement these Oven-Baked Chicken Bites explore these delicious recipes: Grilled Corn On The Cob is a sweet and smoky summer treat, Roasted Cauliflower with Yogurt and Chimichurri or Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Tahini Sauce for a hearty side with a rich, creamy sauce.
Baked Aubergine with Yogurt Dressing features savoury aubergine slices topped with a refreshing yoghurt dressing, which will beautifully complement the chicken bites.
I love whipping up quick, restaurant-quality dishes that are easy to make and taste amazing. With simple ingredients, I can create delicious meals for my family. Sharing homemade meals creates special memories that last.
What are Nuggets?
Nuggets are small, bite-sized pieces of food that are typically breaded and either fried or baked. The most common type is chicken nuggets, made from breaded and fried chicken pieces. There are also vegetarian or vegan nuggets made from plant-based ingredients, as well as fish nuggets, which use breaded fish. Nuggets are popular for their convenience and are often enjoyed with various dipping sauces.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Ready in 30 minutes for busy nights.
- Crispy & Delicious: Baked, not fried, with a crunchy cornflake coating.
- Customizable: Adjust seasoning to your taste.
- Kid-Friendly: Fun to make together and easy for little hands.
- Healthy: A lighter option without sacrificing crunch.
- Meal Prep Ready: Freeze uncooked nuggets for later.
Ingredients
Make these baked chicken nuggets at home – they’re tasty and a healthier choice than the fried ones! The recipe requires simple ingredients and is easy to find at your nearest supermarket.
- Chicken breast – I like to use organic, corn feed or free-range, the taste is substantially better.
- Corn flakes – are used to coat the chicken and add a crunchy element to the chicken bites. The cornflakes need to be crushed either in a food processor or placed in a sealed plastic bag and then crushed with your hands.
- Olive oil – makes the nuggets golden when baked.
Substitutions
I hope these potential substitutes will be helpful when deciding to make this recipe and realise that you have missed some of them from your shopping list.
- Chicken Breast – Use chicken thighs, chicken tenders, or boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Just dice them in bite-size but not too small as they will get to dry when baked.
- Corn Flakes – Use panko breadcrumbs or crushed crackers.
- Eggs – Buttermilk, yoghurt, or a mixture of milk and vinegar for an egg-free option.
- Flour – All-purpose gluten-free flour, almond flour, or chickpea flour for a gluten-free alternative.
- Milk – Buttermilk, yoghurt, or non-dairy milk like almond milk or soy milk for lactose-free or vegan options.
- Salt and Pepper – Seasoning blends, such as poultry seasoning, garlic salt, or seasoned salt, for added flavour.
- Paprika – Smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or chilli powder for a hint of heat.
- Chili Powder – Cayenne pepper, paprika, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for spiciness.
- Garlic Powder – Onion powder, garlic salt, or minced or grated fresh garlic.
- Olive Oil – Canola oil, vegetable oil, or melted butter.
Variations
You can play with the ingredients at hand and create something new and delicious. Sometimes the best recipes result when you juggle with what you have in your kitchen cupboard. Have a look at these variations for roasted chicken bites.
Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken Bites
- Marinate the chicken bites in a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, and parsley), salt, and pepper.
- Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Roast the chicken in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes or until cooked through and golden brown.
Spicy Honey Glazed Roasted Chicken Bites
- In a bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, sriracha sauce, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt.
- Toss the chicken bites in the spicy honey glaze until well coated.
- Arrange the chicken on a baking sheet and roast in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 15-20 minutes or until crispy and caramelized.
Teriyaki Roasted Chicken Bites
- Prepare a teriyaki marinade by combining soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and a splash of rice vinegar.
- Marinate the chicken bites in the teriyaki sauce for at least 1 hour.
- Roast the chicken in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through, basting occasionally with the marinade.
Mediterranean Herb Roasted Chicken Bites
- In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- Toss the chicken bites in the herb mixture until evenly coated.
- Spread the chicken on a baking sheet and roast in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
Cajun Roasted Chicken Bites
- Make a Cajun seasoning by mixing paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning over the chicken bites and toss to coat.
- Arrange the chicken on a baking sheet and roast in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 15-20 minutes or until crispy and cooked through.
How to make this recipe
These Chicken Bites are super easy to make with very few ingredients. You only need 10 simple things and a couple of minutes to put them together. They’re perfect for a quick snack, meal or finger food!
Take a look at these step-by-step guide to making this delicious homemade recipe. The photos make it easy to follow along.
Start the recipe by dicing the chicken breast into bite-size chunks. Add the meat to a bowl, and season with salt and pepper, paprika, chilli and garlic powder. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to marinade.
Whisk together the eggs, flour, and a splash of milk in a shallow bowl until a smooth batter forms. Season the mixture with salt, pepper or other preferred seasonings according to your taste preferences. Set aside.
Crush the cornflakes in a separate bowl until they become coarse crumbs.
Bring the chicken chunks, egg batter and crushed cornflakes close to each other on the worktop so it’s easy to handle.
Dip each chicken piece into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated.
Then roll it in the crushed cornflakes, pressing lightly to help the coating adhere.
Place the coated chicken bites onto the prepared baking sheet and drizzle olive oil.
Serve them with your favourite sauce.
A full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
How to serve
Roasted chicken bites can be served with a variety of side dishes. Here are some popular options:
- Dipping Sauces: Try a classic chimichurri sauce, a 4-ingredient mayo, or a no-oil, 3-ingredient high-protein mayo. Perfect for dipping, spreading, or drizzling!
- Salad: You can make a green salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette.
- Rice or Grains: Serve over a bed of Lebanese rice or grains like quinoa, couscous, or authentic Turkish bulgur pilav.
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasted chicken bites pair well with roasted cauliflower steaks. Serve them with a vegan chickpea salad or Turkish şakşuka for a balanced meal.
- Vegetable Medley: My stew with roasted peppers and chickpeas would go great.
- Bread or Rolls: Serve with my easy 3-ingredient no-knead bread or my fluffy homemade dinner rolls for the perfect pairing.
Looking for more? Check out +54 Best Mains Recipes!
Tips and Tricks
- Avoid overcrowding: Spread the chicken bites in a single layer on the rack to ensure a crispy texture.
- Choose the right cut: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juicier bites.
- Marinate: Soak the chicken in a mix of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper for at least 30 minutes.
- Cut into pieces: Slice the thighs into uniform, bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Preheat the oven: Set it to 392°F (200°C) for a crispy, golden exterior.
- Use a baking rack: Place the chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet to allow even air circulation.
- Season well: Add spices like paprika, garlic powder, or herbs just before roasting.
Storage
These chicken nuggets can be stored in an airtight container labelled with the cooking date for up to 3-4 days. Ensure refrigeration within 2 hours after cooking. For longer storage, place them in the freezer for 1-3 months.
FAQs
Related Recipes
- Lemon Chicken
- Tomato Chicken
- Crispy Chicken Schnitzel
- Creamy Boursin Cheese Chicken
- Chicken and Bacon Caesar Salad
Easy Baked Cornflake Chicken Nuggets
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Tongs or Fork
- Knife and Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 250 g corn flakes
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- Chilli powder to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil.
- Slice the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, approximately 1-inch strips. Add them to a bowl and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Sprinkle some olive oil and mix everything. Refrigerate until used, so the meat can marinade. Usually around 30 minutes.2 chicken breasts, 1 tsp Paprika, 1 tsp Garlic powder, Salt and pepper, 2 tbsp Olive oil
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, flour, and a splash of milk, until a smooth batter forms. Season the mixture with salt, pepper, paprika, chilli powder, and garlic powder according to your taste preferences.2 eggs, 2 tbsp flour, 1 tbsp milk
- Crush the corn flakes in a separate bowl until they become coarse crumbs. You can do this by placing the corn flakes in a sealed plastic bag and crushing them with a rolling pin or by using a food processor.250 g corn flakes
- Dip each chicken piece into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated. Then roll it in the crushed corn flakes, pressing lightly to help the coating adhere.
- Place the coated chicken bites onto the prepared baking sheet, making sure to leave space between each piece.
- Drizzle the chicken bites with olive oil or lightly spray them with cooking spray. This will help them become crispy during baking.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is golden brown and crispy.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken bites from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
- Serve the roasted chicken bites as a delicious appetizer or snack. They can be enjoyed on their own or served with your favorite dipping sauce. I served them with a mix of mayonnaise and Sriracha.
- Enjoy your homemade roasted chicken bites!
Video
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut evenly and pat dry.
- Crush cornflakes finely but not into powder—mix in spices or Parmesan for extra taste.
- Set up a breading station with seasoned flour, beaten eggs, and cornflakes, using one hand for dry and one for wet.
- Bake on a wire rack over a baking sheet and lightly spray with oil for extra crispiness.
- Customize with spices like cayenne or Italian seasoning, or use gluten-free alternatives if needed.
- Serve with honey mustard, BBQ, or ranch and sides like fries or salad.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven or air fryer to keep them crispy.
- For a kid-friendly version, let kids help with coating and adjust seasoning to their taste.
- Freeze uncooked coated nuggets for later and bake from frozen with extra time.
- For a lighter option, use egg whites instead of whole eggs.
Love this cripsy golden roast chicken bite, my chicken nuggets fan approved it. He asked me to make more.
I made this recipe for my kids and they LOVED it! I had all the ingredients in my kitchen, this recipe is so easy to make.
These turned out great! Easy to follow recipe as well!!
These nuggets were so good – my toddler loved them! Such great flavor!
I’m obsessed with how crispy the cornflake coating is! This is such a perfect treat for myself when I just want to create an easy yet comforting delicious chicken recipes. Will definitely do this again!
I love how crispy the cornflake coating is on the outside. It has a nice flavor that’s a little different from traditional bread, too. I like it!
Baked roast chicken bites looks delicious. Perfect treat for superbowl.
These homemade golden roast chicken bites are an absolute winner! Tried this recipe, and my kids absolutely love it. The crispy exterior combined with the juicy tenderness of the chicken makes it a delightful treat for the entire family.
These chicken bites with a golden cornflakes crust were so flavorful and crispy. The kids just couldn’t get enough of them. This was certainly a recipe I’m going to make more often!
Cornflake chicken nuggets are the best! Thank you for this wonderful recipe! They turned out perfectly!
I am always on the hunt for delicious chicken recipes. These chicken bites sound like the perfect main or appetizer. I think I will make them for game night. They will be a hit with the family.