Hidden Veggie Chicken Nuggets
November 2, 2024
70 minutes
easy
30-35 chicken nuggets
This recipe is for 12 months baby & up
These Hidden Veggie Chicken Nuggets are a favorite in our household! I have been making them for my picky eater for the longest time, made with 3 different veggies like zucchini, carrots, cauliflower and baked to golden perfection. Not only do they encourage picky eaters to consume more vegetables, but they also ensure that kids receive balanced nutrition in a fun and familiar form. These are especially great on busy weeknights when I need something both nutritious and crowd-pleasing, not only do my kids devour them, but so do the adults! And I feel great knowing they’re getting protein and a boost of vitamins in every bite. I have served these for a snack, breakfast, lunch and dinner and they are a hit every time!
How to Serve:
Hidden veggie chicken nuggets are versatile and pair well with a range of dips and sides. Serve them alongside classic sides like homemade sweet potato fries, a side of broccoli, or some fruit to complement the meal. For dipping sauces, opt for healthier options such as homemade ranch, hummus, or a mild tomato ketchup with reduced sugar.
Nutritional Benefits:
Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein, which is vital for children’s muscle growth, energy, and overall development. Chicken breast also contains small amounts of iron and zinc. Iron is vital for the production of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood and helps prevent anemia. Zinc supports a healthy immune system and is crucial for cell growth and repair.
Zucchini is packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, and manganese. Vitamin C is essential for a healthy immune system, while potassium aids in proper muscle function and hydration. The fiber in zucchini supports digestive health, which is crucial for young children as their digestive systems develop.
Cauliflower is a powerhouse vegetable rich in vitamins C and K, as well as folate and antioxidants. Vitamin K plays a role in bone health, which is important for growing children, and the antioxidants help protect their cells from damage. Cauliflower is also high in fiber, which supports digestion, and its choline content contributes to brain development and a healthy metabolism.
Carrots are well known for their high beta-carotene content, which the body converts to vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for maintaining good vision and supporting a strong immune system. Carrots also contain fiber for digestive health and antioxidants that contribute to overall well-being.
Tips for Hidden Veggie Chicken Nuggets:
These do take a little more time to make, but they are specifically made for batch cooking and freezing. I try and make a batch every 2-3 weeks and stock my freezer with them. They are awesome for those busy days or a day that the kids are in a picky mood, I just pull a few out of the freezer and reheat either in the air fryer or microwave. (If in microwave, try not to over heat.
Make sure you flip the chicken nuggets after 15 minutes and give another good spray of oil, this step is very important to ensure you get a nice golden chicken nugget.
Substitutions:
Ground Chicken- Can be substituted with ground turkey
Egg- I haven’t tried replacing the egg myself, but can be tried with mustard, yogurt, flax egg or chickpea water (aquafaba).
Carrots, zucchini, cauliflower- I don’t recommend swapping the veggies with other veggies, since these have a mild flavor. I have made these without the cauliflower before and they came out good.
Breadcrumbs- You can use any store-bought breadcrumbs you like or homemade breadcrumbs. For gluten-free option you can use crushed corn flakes.
Avocado oil spray- An oil spray is NEEDED for this recipe, any neutral oil spray you have will work.
If you enjoyed this recipe, here are a few more you should try:
Ingredients
Adjust Servings
| 1.4-1.5 lbs. ground chicken breast | |
| 1 carrot | |
| 1 zucchini | |
| 1/3 cup riced cauliflower or finely chopped cauliflower | |
| 1 egg | |
| 1 tsp turmeric | |
| 1 tsp garlic powder | |
| 1 tsp onion powder | |
| 1 tsp salt | |
| pinch of black pepper | |
| 1 cup breadcrumbs | |
| Avocado oil spray or any neutral oil spray |
Directions
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Notes
13 Comments
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Amy
10/10 would recommend this recipe
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Eating With Zion
yayy!!! Happy you enjoyed it!
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Tasmyn
How can I make these suitable for my 10 month old?
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Eating With Zion
all the ingredients are safe for a 10 month old baby, the only reason I say 12 months is because of texture, but if your little one can chew it properly you can make it for them!
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Sharee
The best chicken nuggets! All 3 kids ate them, didn’t have enough to meal-prep in the end 😂
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Sinziana
What is the best way to defrost them? I tried by leaving them outside and they became mushy
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Eating With Zion
I usually put them in the toaster oven straight from the freezer and it comes out perfect! You can put in oven or airfryer as well.
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Lisa
Love these! My only complaint is now my toddler won’t eat regular chicken nuggets lol
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Eating With Zion
Lol I love that! Only the best for our little one’s!
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Cara
WOW! I didn’t have all the ingredients but made due with what I had and these are the best chicken ANYTHING I have made in a long time! Thank you!!! At what temperature and how long do you reheat from frozen and thawed in the air fryer? We have been cheating and using the microwave but it doesn’t have that satisfying crispiness lol
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Eating With Zion
Omg yesss! So happy to hear that you guys liked it! Honestly when I’m in a rush I reheat in microwave too, but if not I’ll put it in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes on 350F so it doesn’t dry out
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Cara
Kiddo and I had them fresh out of the oven the first time and after trying it like that, the microwave just won’t do! Hubby hates veggies but I think even he would love these! Thanks for such a great recipe!!!
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Wow, I’m not even kidding these are by far the best chicken nuggets we’ve ever made!