My toddler may be the only child who refuses chicken nuggets — which, if you ask me, feels like a parenting win. He prefers bold flavors like curry or even roasted Brussels sprouts, and we rarely eat out, so nuggets aren’t a regular in our house. When I recently made a batch, he barely touched them unless they were smothered in ketchup, opting instead for roasted carrot fries. Even if my little one wasn’t impressed, my husband and I loved these. They satisfy that fast-food craving without the grease: Healthier Baked Chicken Nuggets (Gluten Free).
These nuggets were inspired by a Paleo Chick-fil-A recipe and adapted to be oven-baked rather than pan-fried. Years ago my husband and I made the original while following a Paleo way of eating, but I dislike standing at the stove frying in batches. To get the same crispy, golden result with less fuss, I borrowed the technique I use for extra-crispy baked potato wedges: roast the nuggets in a well-oiled rimmed baking tray so they brown nicely without deep-frying.
The process is simple and yields juicy, flavorful nuggets. The chicken pieces are marinated in pickle juice to add moisture and subtle tang, then moved into a quick egg-and-coconut-milk wash. I coat each piece in a mixture of gluten-free flours and spices and place them on a tray with melted coconut oil. Bake them for about 12–14 minutes on one side, flip, and bake another 12–14 minutes until golden and crisp. The result is a tender, flavorful nugget that tastes like it was fried but is much easier and cleaner to prepare.
Healthier Baked Chicken Nuggets {Gluten Free}
Based on the secret to great chicken at Chick-fil-A, these baked nuggets are soaked in pickle juice to stay juicy and flavorful while remaining gluten free.
20 minutes
30 minutes
50 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 – 2 pounds chicken breast
- 1/2 cup pickle juice
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup coconut milk
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into nugget-size pieces, about 1 inch each. Place the pieces in a zip-top bag with the pickle juice and marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight for more flavor.
- Preheat the oven to 425º F.
- In a small bowl, beat the egg with the coconut milk. Drain the pickle juice from the bag, then add the egg mixture to the bag and let the chicken sit while you prepare the coating.
- Put the 1/4 cup coconut oil in a rimmed baking tray. If the oil is solid, warm the tray in the oven briefly until the oil melts and coats the pan.
- In a bowl, combine the coconut flour, almond flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, onion powder, and ground pepper.
- Remove the chicken pieces from the bag one at a time, shake off excess egg mixture, and roll each piece in the flour-spice mixture until fully coated. Arrange the coated pieces on the oiled baking tray in a single layer.
- Bake for 12–14 minutes, then carefully flip each nugget and bake another 12–14 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
Recipe inspired by a Paleo Chick-Fil-A recipe. Baking in a well-oiled tray helps achieve a crisp exterior similar to pan-frying, with less mess.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 436
Total Fat: 21g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 160mg
Sodium: 890mg
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 5g
Protein: 50g
Nutritional data is automated; final values depend on specific ingredients and any changes you make.
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a comment or share a photo and tag @the_schmidty_wife — I love seeing your creations!
If you enjoyed this recipe, tag #theschmidtywife on social media — I’d love to see your photos!
Follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more recipes and updates.
Peace & Love
Lauren, The Schmidty Wife
P.S. If you want other chicken ideas, try my baked chicken nuggets with hidden quinoa or my easy Southwest chicken recipes.
Please note some links may be affiliate links; I only recommend products I trust. I may earn a commission if you purchase through those links.