Rating: 3.62
(54)

Paleo Baked Chicken Nuggets

August 30, 2023

Who doesn’t love chicken nuggets? Crispy, tender, and easy to eat, they’re a favorite for both kids and adults. But if you’re following a paleo diet or looking for a healthier alternative to traditional fried nuggets, paleo baked chicken nuggets are the answer. These nuggets are made with wholesome, nutrient-dense ingredients, offering a crispy outside and juicy interior without any of the guilt.

The key to paleo chicken nuggets is the coating. Instead of breadcrumbs or flour, which are not paleo-friendly, you can use almond flour and coconut flour to create a crunchy, golden crust. These gluten-free alternatives provide a light, crispy texture and pack in healthy fats and protein. For added flavor and crunch, you can mix in some ground flaxseed or sesame seeds.

For seasoning, the sky’s the limit. Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and sea salt combine to give the nuggets a savory flavor. You can also add a bit of cayenne pepper for a kick or fresh herbs like parsley or thyme to bring in some freshness. The best part is that the coating sticks perfectly to the chicken, creating an irresistible crunch once baked.

To make paleo chicken nuggets, simply cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, dip them in a beaten egg, then coat them with the almond-coconut flour mixture. Arrange the nuggets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake them at a high temperature, around 400°F, until golden brown and fully cooked.

What makes these nuggets even better is that they’re baked, not fried, meaning less oil and less mess. They’re a healthier option that still satisfies that crispy, craveable craving.

Serve your paleo baked chicken nuggets with a side of avocado dip, mustard, or your favorite homemade dipping sauce. Whether as a snack, meal, or party appetizer, these nuggets will be a hit!

Paleo Baked Chicken Nuggets
Paleo Baked Chicken Nuggets
3.62 from 54 votes
Delicious, crispy baked chicken nuggets perfect for a paleo-friendly meal.
Servings 4 people
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tbsp almond milk unsweetened
  • Cooking spray or olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized nuggets.
  • In a shallow bowl, mix together the almond flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  • In another shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and almond milk.
  • Dip each chicken nugget into the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off, then coat in the almond flour mixture. Place on a baking sheet.
  • Repeat until all nuggets are coated.
  • Lightly spray the nuggets with cooking spray or drizzle with a little olive oil to help them brown in the oven.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the nuggets are crispy and cooked through.
  • Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces.

Nutrition

Calories: 242kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 25gFat: 13gFiber: 2g
Calories: 242kcal
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: chicken nuggets, Paleo
Cooking Method: Baked
Time: 30-45 Min
Level: Easy
Tried this recipe?Mention @coolinarco or tag #coolinarco!
Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar deangelo.ortiz2018 says:

    3 stars
    chicken is good, not so much the almond flour. It taste different.

    1. User avatar Siona Atreides says:

      4 stars
      I love almond flour! But I get it, it does have a unique flavor. Have you tried mixing it with regular flour? That might help!

  2. 5 stars
    These nuggets are a game changer! Finally a healthy version that my kids love! 😍

  3. User avatar darla.cronin says:

    5 stars
    Loved these!! I used coconut flour instead and they were amazing!! #BestNuggetsEver

  4. 4 stars
    This was super easy to make! I added some cayenne for a kick. Will definitely make again!

  5. 3 stars
    Good except I think I forgot the salt. Need to pay more attention next time lol.

  6. User avatar Harry Beard says:

    5 stars
    Very tasty! I dipped mine in hot sauce and loved every bite! Well done!

  7. User avatar jacob.funk1968 says:

    2 stars
    Not sure why they didn’t turn out like the picture. Mine were soggy. Maybe I used too much almond milk?

    1. User avatar lizbeth.von34 says:

      4 stars
      Soggy nuggets? That sucks! Maybe your oven temp wasn’t right? I always double check mine to be sure. Good luck next time!

    2. 3 stars
      I think almond milk might make it soggy, yeah. Stick to the recipes. Also, a bit of oil helps for crunch!

  8. 5 stars
    Quick, easy, and healthier! What else can you ask for? You rock!

  9. User avatar Hillman Hunter says:

    1 star
    Paleo? More like pale-no. These taste like cardboard.

  10. User avatar elisha.little1953 says:

    5 stars
    These were sooo good! My kids loved them and I love that they’re healthy. Will make again!

  11. User avatar Eddie the Computer says:

    2 stars
    Not a fan. They turned out kinda dry and the flavor was bland. I expected better.

    1. User avatar ilana.wolf says:

      2 stars
      I dunno what you did, but these were really good to me! Sounds like user error? 🤷‍♂️

    2. 5 stars
      I found the perfect way to make them juicy! Maybe try marinating the chicken for a bit before coating. It might help with the dryness!

  12. User avatar britteny.terry says:

    4 stars
    Good flavor, but mine weren’t that crispy after 20 min. Maybe my nuggets were too big or I didn’t use enough spray. Still tasted great with ranch.

    1. User avatar Eddie the Computer says:

      5 stars
      Yeah I ran into that too—20 min wasn’t enough for thicker nuggets. I usually cut them smaller and bake closer to 25–30, flipping and giving them a bit more spray/oil. Glad the flavor still hit though!

  13. User avatar genaro.hudson says:

    5 stars
    Tried these tonight—so crispy for being baked! The paprika/garlic combo is on point. I did need to flip a little more often so they browned evenly, but overall super easy.

    1. User avatar blanch.damore1969 says:

      3 stars
      Not gonna lie, almond flour nuggets sound kinda dry to me. Did you spray enough? I followed the steps and mine were okay but not that crispy—maybe my oven runs hot.

    2. User avatar rozella.purdy says:

      5 stars
      Yes!! I had the same issue with uneven browning—flipping a bit more (like every 7–8 minutes) fixed it. The paprika/garlic flavor is legit, and they stay crispy longer than I expected.

  14. User avatar rusty.streich says:

    2 stars
    Nuggets? They just look like chicken pieces! Not very creative. Not impressed. 👎

    1. User avatar ed.rodriguez40 says:

      5 stars
      I think they’re creative! Using almond flour is awesome. Not everything has to be super fancy! 😊

  15. User avatar vergie.lowe99 says:

    5 stars
    Yum! My new go-to snack. I added some cayenne for a kick! Perfect for my paleo diet.

    1. 2 stars
      Cayenne?! Isn’t that too spicy for chicken nuggets? I’m skeptical about that mix.

    2. User avatar shella.koss34 says:

      5 stars
      That sounds delicious! I’m gonna try it with some hot sauce next time. Love this recipe!

  16. User avatar Pasta Fasta says:

    2 stars
    Meh. Dry and kinda egg-y. Could be my oven though.

  17. 5 stars
    These nuggets were super easy to make! My kids loved them, and I feel good knowing they’re healthy.

    1. 5 stars
      I’m so glad to hear that! My kids love them too. It’s a win-win when they eat healthy without any fuss!

    2. User avatar zita.schmeler says:

      2 stars
      Really? My kids didn’t like it. Maybe they ain’t into healthy foods? Or I did somethin’ wrong?

  18. User avatar terminatorXYZ says:

    5 stars
    OMG these r so easy! I don’t bake much but I nailed it. Thanks for the easy recipe!

  19. User avatar freddy.kris98 says:

    5 stars
    Tasty! Even the picky eaters at my house enjoyed them. Thumbs up from me!

    1. User avatar larry.reilly says:

      5 stars
      I’m so glad to hear that! Picky eaters can be tough, but it sounds like you nailed it! 😊

    2. 2 stars
      Not sure about these, I mean chicken nuggets without breadcrumbs? Sounds weird. 🤔

  20. User avatar rich.landlord says:

    2 stars
    I doubt these are good. Doesn’t chicken need breadcrumbs? Where’s the crunch?

  21. 4 stars
    I’m skeptical about almond flour as a breading, but I’ll admit it works. The texture is a little different than regular nuggets, kinda crunchy and light.

  22. User avatar Jordan Brekke says:

    1 star
    My nuggets burned. I need a better oven or something. 😩

  23. 3 stars
    Tried this recipe but it didn’t turn out like I thought… the coating was kinda bland. Maybe I added too much almond milk?

  24. 4 stars
    Yum! I used coconut flour instead of almond – didn’t have any. Turned out fine! Will make again.

    1. User avatar rudolph.gaylord says:

      5 stars
      That’s awesome! Coconut flour works well too, nice substitution! 🥥

  25. User avatar Vroomfondel says:

    5 stars
    These chicken nuggets were a hit with my kids! We dipped them in honey mustard and they loved it! Will make again!

    1. User avatar sharonda.auer71 says:

      5 stars
      I’m glad your kids loved it! Honey mustard sounds like a fun dip. Can’t wait to try this myself!

  26. 3 stars
    Took me way too long to prepare! I thought it was a quick meal. Wouldn’t recommend if you’re in a hurry.

  27. User avatar dominique.prosacco says:

    2 stars
    How do you even make these gluten free? I thought all nuggets were breaded, confused here.

  28. User avatar denese.bailey1963 says:

    4 stars
    Simple and delicious! I added some chili powder for a kick. Worth the time to make!

    1. 5 stars
      Love it! Chili powder sounds like a great idea! I’m definitely trying that next time. 😊

  29. 3 stars
    Not gonna lie, 400°F for 20 minutes was not enough for my chicken—had to bake like 10 more. Also, cutting into nuggets takes forever lol.

  30. User avatar tissues_with_issues says:

    4 stars
    Super easy and tasty! I used regular milk instead of almond milk since that’s what I had. Still turned out great!

  31. User avatar gema.deckow1998 says:

    1 star
    Why are you making chicken nuggets healthy? Just make it the regular way. It’s chicken, not health food.

  32. 2 stars
    Ugh, wish I could eat these but I’m allergic to almonds. 😢

  33. User avatar Ben Thair says:

    3 stars
    Paleo diet is dumb. Chicken nuggets should be fried, not baked with almond flour.

  34. User avatar andre.boyer says:

    2 stars
    Not sure why everyone loves this recipe. They turned out dry and kinda bland for me.

    1. User avatar vannessa.kling1955 says:

      4 stars
      I’m sorry to hear that! Maybe try seasoning them more or cooking them a bit less next time. They can be so tasty!

    2. User avatar patricia.spinka says:

      3 stars
      I think they taste great! Just because something isn’t your style doesn’t mean others won’t enjoy it. Give it another shot!

3.62 from 54 votes
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