Parmesan Chicken Nuggets with Two Dipping Sauces

There’s no need to resort to fast food chicken nuggets when you have this recipe that transforms boneless, skinless chicken breasts into a kid-friendly finger food. Serve these nuggets with carrots, celery and jicama cut into matchsticks to maximize the dipping fun.

 

Parmesan Chicken Nuggets with Two Dipping Sauces

 

1 1/2 cups (6 oz./185 g) panko (Japanese bread crumbs)

1/4 cup (1 oz./30 g) grated Parmesan cheese

2 tsp. dried oregano

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

2 eggs

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 2 lb. (1 kg) total, cut into 1 1/2-inch (4-cm) chunks

 

For the honey-mustard dip:

5 Tbs. (3 fl. oz./90 ml) honey

5 Tbs. (2 1⁄2 oz./75 g) Dijon mustard

1 1/2 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted

Kosher salt

 

For the ranch dip:

1/4 cup (2 fl. oz./60 ml) mayonnaise

1/4 cup (2 oz./60 g) sour cream

1/3 cup (3 fl. oz./80 ml) buttermilk

1 tsp. cider vinegar

1 garlic clove, minced

2 tsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

2 tsp. chopped fresh dill

1 tsp. minced fresh chives

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

 

Preheat an oven to 375°F (190°C). Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray, line with aluminum foil and coat again.

 

On a large plate, whisk together the panko, Parmesan, oregano, 2 tsp. salt and 3⁄4 tsp. pepper. Beat the eggs in a large, shallow bowl.

 

Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Dip each chicken piece in the eggs, then dredge in the seasoned bread crumbs. Place the nuggets on the prepared pan as you work. Bake the nuggets, turning once about halfway through, until the coating is nicely browned and the chicken is opaque throughout, 15 to 20 minutes.

 

While the chicken nuggets are baking, make the sauces:

 

To make the honey-mustard dip, in a bowl, stir together the honey, mustard and melted butter and season with salt. Set aside.

 

To make the ranch dip, stir together the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, cider vinegar, garlic, parsley, dill and chives. Season with salt and pepper.

 

Serve the nuggets hot, with the two dipping sauces on the side. Serves 4.

 

For more fresh ideas about how to prepare chicken, whether for
a quick family meal or an impressive weekend spread, check out our
Chicken Night: Dinner Solutions for Every Day of the Week.