These gluten-free chicken nuggets that are actually crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside will change your life! A bold statement, I know, but it’s one I stand by!
These homemade chicken nuggets are made with simple, clean ingredients and cook up golden and crunchy without the need for processed coatings or additives. They’re easy to make, freezer-friendly, and perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or feeding kids who just want something familiar.
They’re also the perfect nuggets to pair with wraps, chicken caesar salad, and can be topped with pasta sauce and cheese for more of a chicken parmesan vibe!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy outer layer that reminds you of the nuggets from your childhood drive through days
- Tender, juicy chicken seasoned to perfection
- Simple pantry ingredients
- No additives, preservatives or fillers
- Kid-approved & family friendly
- Freezer/meal prep friendly
“They are the perfect recipe!!”
Ingredients
Please see recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full recipe details.
1. Chicken Breasts
When sourcing quality meat, it helps to connect with local farmers. Farmer’s markets have become a popular way to build community with food producers in the area. For an even more elevated health experience, choose a chicken that is corn and soy free.
2. Gluten-Free One-to-One Flour
A high-quality gluten-free one to-one flour blend provides a flour base for the batter/slurry. I prefer Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour for this recipe because it produces consistent results and fries up evenly.
3. Arrowroot Powder
Arrowroot powder is a light, grain-free starch that works as a natural thickener for sauces, gravies, puddings, and baked goods. It creates a silky, glossy finish without the heaviness of cornstarch and is easier on sensitive stomachs, making it a great clean-ingredient swap for gluten-free and allergen-friendly cooking. If you’d like to sub it out, this can easily be replaced at a 1:1 ratio with Tapioca Flour or Cornstarch.
4. Salt & Other Seasonings
A small amount of salt balances the flavor and deepens the savory flavors within the nuggets. Smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic power, and black pepper all work together to create an amazing flavor profile. You can adjust the ratio of these seasonings to your preference.
5. Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is my go-to healthy fat because it helps crisp up the nuggets without using seed oils. Avocado oil also has a high smoke point, which means your crust will brown beautifully without burning or tasting greasy. If you need to sub it out, try using olive oil or melted tallow.
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Making the Nuggets
The step-by-step guide to making gluten free chicken nuggets:
1. Cut chicken breast meat into chunks and add in the seasonings.
2. Mix until well combined (as seen above).
3. Shape the mixture however you’d like and coat in arrowroot powder. Place on a lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes so nuggets hold shape.
4. Whisk the flour slurry batter together. It should be thick, but not too thick. Adjust thickness by adding water.
5. Preheat oil and when it’s ready for frying (350F), dip the frozen nuggets in the batter and fry.
6. Enjoy your golden and crispy – better than you remember – gluten free nuggets!
Crispy Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
Chicken Patties
- 2-3 lbs Chicken Breast
- 2 tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper Ground
- 2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- *arrowroot powder for coating
Batter
- 1 cup Gluten Free Flour 1-to-1
- 1 cup Arrowroot Powder
- 2 tsp Baking Powder
- 2 cups Filtered Water
- 1 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 2 tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper Ground
Instructions
- In a food processor, shred all of the breast meat until small pieces are formed. Season the shredded meat with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic and onion powder and mix again until well combined.
- Form small, flat nuggets with the mixture. Coat the nugget patty in arrowroot flour and place on a lined 9×13 baking tray. Once the tray is filled with nuggets, place in the freezer for 30 minutes.
- While nuggets are setting in the freezer, mix up the nugget batter and set aside.
- In a large pot or wok on the stovetop, heat up tallow to 350°F.
- Take cold nugget patties and dip them into the nugget batter. Once well coated, place directly into the tallow.
- Fry until golden brown on both sides and repeat until all of the nuggets are done!
- To Reheat: Air fry on 400°F for 12-14 minutes.
Recipe Tips
Freezing the nuggets is extremely important before coating them so that they don’t fall apart in the slurry coating. Do not skip this step.
Use a cookie rack to place the freshly fried gluten-free chicken nuggets on to prevent them from getting mushy as they dry.
Prep/Storage Options:
- Make and freeze: These nuggets can be made completely and then frozen flat and spaced out on a parchment/silicone lined tray. Once frozen, bag them up and freeze for up to 6 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 12-15 minutes or air fry at 350°F for 8-10 minutes.
- Prep & Freeze: You can prep the seasoned meat into nugget shapes, coat in arrowroot powder and freeze them spaced out on a parchment/silicone lined tray. Once frozen, bag them up and freeze for up to 6 months. When you’re ready to make them, mix up the slurry and dip the frozen coated nuggets into the slurry and fry according to the instructions. This allows you to quickly prepare the nuggets and bake the amount you want when you’re ready to eat them fresh.
- Refrigerate: Once the nuggets have been fried, they can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes or airfare at 350°F for 8-10 minutes.
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