Baked chicken nuggets with cheese sauce (for a fuss-free night from the kids)

Audrey Michels

Contributing Writer

Nuggets are a crowd-pleaser, especially if that crowd is made up of children, but making them at home is so much better than getting them at a restaurant. This version is oven-baked on a wire rack, so the nuggets are crispy all over without ever being fried. This low-fat cooking method means you have some wiggle room when it comes to condiments, and the perfect dipping sauce (other than ketchup) is this gooey cheddar cheese sauce.

It might not be your first choice, but cheddar cheese is also a kid favorite. You could easily substitute your favorite cheese, or even a mixture (pepper jack, mozzarella, gruyere…), to create a more grown-up version, but if you’re looking to impress the little ones, this is the recipe you want.

Cooktop Cove

Baked chicken nuggets with cheese sauce

20 minutes

40 minutes

3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs

½ cup parmesan cheese, grated

1 teaspoon dried thyme

½ teaspoon dried basil

2 eggs

Spray oil

1 cup milk

4 teaspoons all-purpose flour

¼ teaspoon salt

1 ½ oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Preheat the oven to 400F.

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and top with a wire rack.

Cut the chicken breasts into nugget shapes, about 1 ½.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, thyme, and basil.

Add the eggs to a second bowl and whisk vigorously.

Dip each nugget in the egg, then in the breadcrumb mixture, and then place on the wire rack.

Before baking, spray each nugget with a spray olive oil or coconut oil.

Bake for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.

While the nuggets bake, in a medium saucepan mis together the milk, flour, and salt with a whisk.

Place the mixture over a medium heat, whisking regularly.

Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and whisk constantly until the mixture begins to thicken, about 2 minutes.

Add the cheese and nutmeg and whisk until a thick cheese sauce forms.

Once smooth and melted, transfer to a serving dish and cover to keep warm until the nuggets are finished.

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