When you’re in the mood for a fun, flavorful, and healthier twist on a classic comfort food, Baked Teriyaki Chicken Nuggets are the way to go. These crispy, golden nuggets are packed with sweet and savory teriyaki flavor, offering the perfect combination of crunchy exteriors and tender, juicy chicken inside, all without the need for deep frying.
What sets these chicken nuggets apart is the teriyaki sauce. While traditional nuggets often get their flavor from breadcrumbs or seasonings, these are marinated in a rich teriyaki glaze. The sauce, with its balance of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a touch of sweetness from honey or brown sugar, infuses the chicken with layers of umami flavor. After baking, the chicken nuggets take on a slightly caramelized, sticky coating that’s irresistible.
The best part about Baked Teriyaki Chicken Nuggets is how easy they are to prepare. Simply cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, marinate them in the sauce, coat with breadcrumbs or panko for extra crunch, and bake until golden. You’ll get the crispy texture you crave from fried nuggets, but without all the oil and mess. Plus, because they’re baked, they’re much lighter and healthier, perfect for serving as a snack, an appetizer, or a main dish.
These nuggets are incredibly versatile too. Serve them with steamed rice and a side of vegetables for a full meal or offer them with a tangy dipping sauce, like extra teriyaki or even a creamy garlic sauce, for a fun snack. They also make great additions to salads or wraps, adding protein and flavor in every bite.
Whether you’re preparing a weeknight dinner for the family or looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer, Baked Teriyaki Chicken Nuggets bring big flavor with minimal effort. They’re a delicious, guilt-free alternative to traditional fried chicken nuggets, and they’re sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless (450 g) , skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce (120 ml)
- 1/4 cup honey (60 ml)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp ginger grated
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (120 g)
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (30 g) , grated
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a small bowl, whisk together the teriyaki sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger.
- In a separate bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper.
- Dip each chicken nugget into the teriyaki sauce mixture, then coat it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing down gently to adhere the breadcrumbs.
- Place the coated chicken nuggets onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or sprayed with cooking spray.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the chicken nuggets are golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve the baked teriyaki chicken nuggets with additional teriyaki sauce for dipping, if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition
The garlic and ginger really make it taste “restaurant-y.” I served it with rice and broccoli and everyone went back for more.
Baked teriyaki chicken nuggets? Sounds weird but I gave it a shot. They were actually pretty good!
These nuggets are so tasty! I can’t believe how easy they were to make! My kids loved them. 😍
Easy and yummy! But what is panko? Can I use regular crumbs?
Nuggets = happiness! Can’t wait to make these again!
Absolutely! You can’t beat homemade nuggets! I also added some chili flakes for a kick. So good!
My husband said they tasted like cardboard, but I think he’s just picky. I liked them!
Maybe he was too critical! I thought these were delicious, why not try seasoning them differently next time?
These are ok, nothing special. Chicken’s chicken, i guess.
These chicken nuggets are amazing! My kids loved them!
I’m so glad you liked them! They were a hit at my party too! 🎉
Really? I tried making them and they turned out kind of dry. Maybe I did something wrong?
So I followed the recipe but my chicken was still kinda pink. Is that normal?
Baked? Who has time for baking? Just buy them frozen. 😂
I followed it pretty much exactly, but mine tasted a little too sweet. I’ll reduce the honey next time or add more garlic/ginger to balance.
yesss chicken nuggets but healthier-ish lol. parmesan with panko is a game changer. super easy.
I accidentally used regular breadcrumbs instead of panko and they weren’t as crunchy. Still good flavor though. Definitely worth sticking with panko.
These were fantastic! My kids loved them, and I loved how easy they were to make. Definitely a keeper!
Okay… I may have measured the honey wrong (oops). Mine came out sweeter than planned, but my kid still loved them. Fix the ratio and it’s probably perfect.
Ha! I’ve totally done the “oops” honey thing too 😅 If it’s sweeter, I’d just nudge the honey down a bit next time and keep the rest the same—probably spot on like you said.
What’s teriyaki?? Sounding fancy and complicated… is it spicy? I don’t want my chicken to be spicy!!
Are you sure this is teriyaki? When I think teriyaki, I think soy sauce, not honey.
These nuggets were a hit at my family dinner! Very tasty!
I used soy sauce instead of teriyaki and they were still good! Experiment, folks!
My kid absolutely loved these. Asked for ‘more nugget sauce’ like we were at a fancy restaurant. Will make again for sure.