These homemade chicken nuggets are made with ground chicken and coated in a grain free breading. The nuggets are baked in the air fryer and turn out tender, juicy and full of flavor. This chicken nugget recipe is gluten free, paleo friendly and nut free.
Since stepping away from gluten and fast food nearly a decade ago, it's been quite some time since I've enjoyed a chicken nugget.
Even though you can find gluten free store-bought chicken nuggets these days, I decided making my own was the way to go. As, there's nothing better than homemade in terms of ingredients and quality.
These homemade chicken nuggets are exactly what I was craving! They're made with ground chicken, dipped into a whisked egg and then coated in a grain free breading that's made from spices and cassava flour.
This chicken nugget recipe is not only gluten free, but paleo and nut free as well. They're a kid favorite and a healthy dinner option the whole family can enjoy.
Why You'll Love these Homemade Chicken Nuggets
- Gluten Free and Grain Free - made with a blend of cassava flour and spices
- Made with Ground Chicken - these nuggets use ground chicken instead of cut chicken breasts or thighs
- Paleo - no grains, refined sugar, vegetable oils or any other questionable ingredients
- Kid Friendly - great for a family dinner
- Cooked in the Air Fryer
Ingredients
Only 9 ingredients are needed to make these paleo chicken nuggets. You can find the full recipe in the recipe card below (near the end of the post), but here's a list of what you'll need:
- ground chicken
- cassava flour
- granulated garlic
- salt
- cumin
- egg
- paprika
- turmeric
- chili powder
How to Make Chicken Nuggets with Ground Chicken
These chicken nuggets are baked in the air fryer. I own the Breville smart oven, so instructions will be given for that particular device.
- First, grease the wire rack or air frying basket that your chicken nuggets will bake on.
- Next, combine the ingredients for the nuggets. This includes the ground chicken, cassava flour, garlic, salt and cumin.
- Use a large cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons in size) to scoop the nuggets. Shape the nuggets into ovals, dip them in the whisked egg, then coat them in the breading.
- Place the nuggets on your greased wire rack. Be sure to have a drip pan underneath to catch any juices from the chicken.
- Place the nuggets in your air fryer (middle rack). Set the function to "air fry" and cook at 425 degrees F for 10-12 minutes. No need to preheat the air fryer.
- Once done, let the nuggets cool a couple minutes, then serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Tips and Tricks
- Grease the wire rack for your nuggets - be sure to grease the wire rack that your chicken nuggets sit on so that they don't stick. I just used a little avocado oil and greased the rack with my hands.
- Use cassava flour - this recipe has only been tested with cassava flour. Although a gluten free blend may work instead, I cannot guarantee results. Cassava flour is an excellent paleo and gluten free baking flour. If you want to learn more about it, check out my cassava flour guide.
Storage
These gluten free chicken nuggets should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge, and are best eaten within 5 days. You can reheat them in the microwave, air fryer, toaster oven or oven.
FAQ
I recommend cassava flour for best results, as that's all I've tested. That being said, a gluten free flour blend might work in its place.
Yes, this is a paleo chicken nugget recipe. It's made with grain free flour and spices - all paleo approved.
More Gluten Free Dinner Ideas
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these reader favorites:
Homemade Chicken Nuggets With Ground Chicken (Gluten Free)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 chicken nuggets
Description
These homemade chicken nuggets are made with ground chicken and flavored with spices like cumin and paprika. They're gluten free, paleo and whole30 approved!
Ingredients
Nuggets
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 3 Tbsp cassava flour
- ¾ tsp granulated garlic
- ¾ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cumin
Egg Coating
- 1 large egg
Breading
- 3 Tbsp cassava flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp cumin
- ⅛ tsp chili powder
Instructions
- First, grease the wire rack or air frying basket that your chicken nuggets will bake on.
- Next, combine the ingredients for the nuggets. This includes the ground chicken, cassava flour, garlic, salt and cumin.
- Whisk the egg in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, combine all ingredients for the breading: cassava flour, paprika, turmeric, cumin and chili powder.
- Use a large cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons in size) to scoop the nuggets. Shape the nuggets into ovals, dip them in the whisked egg, then coat them in the breading. Be sure to cover all sides of the nugget in both the egg mixture and the coating.
- Place the nuggets on your greased wire rack. Be sure to have a drip pan underneath to catch any juices from the chicken.
- Place the nuggets in your air fryer (middle rack). Set the function to "air fry" and cook at 425 degrees F for 10-12 minutes. No need to preheat the air fryer.
- Once done, let the nuggets cool a couple minutes, then serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
I own a Breville Smart Oven which has an air frying function, so instructions are given for this particular device. That being said, any smart oven or air fryer will work similarly.
Katie
My family and I love these chicken nuggets! Enjoy!
Sharon
I don’t have an air fryer, so could these be baked in an oven?
Katie
Yes, baking them in the oven will work. But I've only made them in my air fryer, so don't have all the details you'll need to bake them in the oven.