- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total time
- 45 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 295 kcal
Quick summary
“Juicy pieces of chicken breast seasoned with garlic and smoked paprika, breaded in whole wheat panko flour with grated parmesan cheese. Roasted in the oven or airfryer until golden and served with homemade fresh herb aioli.”
What you need to know
- Cutting the chicken breast into uniform 3 to 4 cm pieces ensures even cooking without drying out the meat.
- Whole wheat panko flour mixed with parmesan cheese provides a much crispier crust than regular flour.
- The light aioli sauce made of mayonnaise with Sicilian lemon, parsley, and chives balances the meat with acidic freshness.
Ingredients
Main
- g, skinless and boneless Chicken Breast
- cup Whole wheat panko breadcrumbs
- cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- teaspoon Smoked paprika
- teaspoon Garlic powder
- teaspoon Salt
- teaspoon Ground black pepper
- units Large eggs
- tablespoons Milk (or plant-based drink)
- tablespoons (for greasing or spraying) Extra virgin olive oil
- cup (for the Herb Aioli Sauce) Light mayonnaise
- tablespoon (for the Herb Aioli Sauce) Fresh chopped parsley
- tablespoon (for the Herb Aioli Sauce) Cebolinha fresca picada
- tablespoon (for the Herb Aioli Sauce) Sicilian lemon juice
- small clove (for the Herb Aioli Sauce) Finely chopped garlic
Instructions
Principal
- Prepare the ChickenWash the chicken breasts and pat them dry with paper towels. Cut the chicken into pieces of approximately 3-4 cm, in the shape of nuggets. Season evenly with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, ensuring each piece is flavored.
- Breading StationIn simple terms: prepare three deep plates. In the first one, place the whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs mixed with grated Parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. In the second, beat the eggs with the milk. The third plate will be for the breaded chicken.
- Perfect BreadingDip each piece of chicken first in the egg mixture, making sure to cover all sides. Then, transfer it to the panko mixture, pressing gently so that the coating adheres well. This step is crucial for the final crunch.
- Prepare to BakePreheat the oven to 200°C (or the air fryer to 190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease with olive oil. Arrange the breaded nuggets on the baking sheet, ensuring they do not touch so they bake evenly. Drizzle more olive oil on top to brown.
- Cook the NuggetsBake in the oven for 18-22 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and cooked through. In the air fryer, cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket a few times. The short answer is: the chicken must reach 74°C internally.
- Herb Aioli SauceWhile the nuggets bake, combine light mayonnaise, chopped parsley, chives, lemon juice, and minced garlic in a small bowl. Mix well and adjust the salt and black pepper to your preference. This fresh sauce perfectly complements the flavor.
Chef's tips
- Dry the chicken cubes with paper towels before dipping in the beaten egg so the breading adheres well.
- Press the chicken pieces firmly onto the panko mixture to cover the entire surface of the protein.
- Spray extra virgin olive oil over the nuggets on the baking sheet to get a uniform golden color.
Variations
- Add 1 coffee spoon of cayenne pepper or calabrian chili flakes to the flour for spicy nuggets.
- Add fine lemon zest to the panko flour to perfume the crispy crust of the nuggets.
- Substitute the aioli sauce with artisanal barbecue sauce or sweet and spicy pepper jelly to accompany.
Substitutions
- Whole wheat panko flour can be replaced by traditional panko, flaked corn flour, or fine rolled oats.
- The light mayonnaise in the aioli sauce can be substituted with plain whole Greek yogurt for a lower calorie content.
- Chicken breast can be substituted with lean pork loin in cubes or firm white fish fillets.
How to store
Store in a closed container lined with paper towels in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat and restore the crispy texture, place in the air fryer at 180°C for 4 minutes or in the oven at 200°C for 7 minutes.
Can it be frozen?
Freeze the already breaded raw nuggets on a baking sheet for 2 hours and store in sealed bags for up to 90 days. To bake, place directly from the freezer into an oven at 200°C for 25 minutes without thawing.
What to serve with
Pairs perfectly with rustic roasted potatoes with rosemary, cabbage and carrot slaw, and ice-cold craft beer.
Frequently asked questions
Doesn't the chicken breast dry out inside?
Cutting medium pieces of 3 to 4 cm and roasting for a maximum of 20 minutes preserves the meat's internal juices; the panko crust acts as a barrier that retains the moisture of the protein.
How to make baked nuggets crispy as if they were fried?
The secret is to use panko flour (oriental bread flakes) mixed with parmesan and spray olive oil on top; the high oven at 200°C toasts the flakes creating a crispy crust without immersion in oil.
How long do nuggets take to bake in the airfryer?
In the air fryer preheated to 190°C, the nuggets bake for about 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to brown evenly on all sides.
Can the herb aioli be made with raw garlic?
Yes, mince the garlic clove very finely or crush it into a paste to distribute evenly in the mayonnaise with the Sicilian lemon, bringing the characteristic flavor of aioli without spicy pieces.
