Healthy Chicken Nuggets with Veggies

These healthy chicken nuggets with veggies are easy to make and are a delicious addition to lunch or dinner. They are juicy and tender on the inside, and you can easily adjust how crispy you want the exterior to be for babies and toddlers.

Healthy Homemade Chicken Nuggets

We are HUGE fans of chicken nuggets, especially the ones from Chick fil-a! While they’re not the healthiest, I’m a huge believer in teaching our kids from early on that all foods fit.

The more we categorize foods as “good” or “bad” and try to restrict from eating certain foods, the more we and our children will crave those foods and feel guilty or ashamed when we “give in.”

Instead of attaching moral judgements to food, let’s focus on striving for a balanced and varied diet and teaching our kids to listen to our body’s hunger and fullness cues, rather than trying to adhere to strict rules or labels about food.

All this to say, give yourself FULL permission to enjoy your favorite fast food chicken nuggets. And if you have the energy and desire to make some homemade chicken nuggets, this recipe will be waiting for you!

It’s super easy to make with a short list of ingredients. I always like to incorporate veggies to boost nutrition and flavor.

Serve with a side of your favorite vegetables, fruits, and some carbohydrate like pasta, bread, or quinoa. An easy peasy lunch or dinner for toddlers and the whole family.

And you can’t serve chicken nuggets without some type of dip! Ketchup, ranch, hummus…all are welcomed!

If you are looking for a vegetarian option, try these veggie nuggets!

Ingredients

• Ground chicken – much easier to work with than chicken breast or thigh. It also makes the nuggets easier for babies and toddlers to chew. You can also use ground turkey, if preferred.
• Carrots
• Cauliflower – adds great texture and helps stretch a pound of chicken. You will be able to get at least 30 nuggets our of the mixture! It also blends in really well with chicken.
• Bread crumbs – you can use regular or panko bread crumbs depending on how crispy you want the nuggets to be. I like to use whole wheat regular breadcrumbs for babies.
• Seasonings – I like to use Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Feel free to experiment with your favorites. Here are some great herbs and spices for babies and toddlers.
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add cauliflower and carrots to a food processor and process until finely chopped.
2. In a large bowl, add all the ingredients. Mix until combined. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and using your hands, form into balls.
3. Add breadcrumbs to a large raised plate or bowl. Roll in breadcrumbs. Flatten slightly into a nugget shape. Dino nuggets are super fun for the kids too.
4. Place on a parchment paper lined baking tray. Spray the top with oil spray to make the nuggets crispier (optional).
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Tips for Success

• Feel free to swap with whatever vegetables you’d like. Broccoli, sweet potatoes, spinach, zucchini...
• You can add some grated cheese for extra flavor, like parmesan or cheddar cheese.
• If you desire crunchier veggie nuggets, then use panko breadcrumbs. Note that pre-baking panko before coating will help achieve a nice golden color for your nuggets. Personally, I can do without the extra step and my kids never seem to mind.
• Flip halfway to ensure both sides are cooked evenly.

Serving Suggestions

These baked veggie chicken nuggets are delicious on their own. But since most kids love to dip, you can serve with their favorite condiment, like ketchup, ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, etc.

If you want to boost nutrition, try some of these veggie-loaded dips!

For babies

To achieve a soft, moist texture, skip the breadcrumbs or use regular breadcrumbs instead of panko for a less crispy exterior.

For 6-8 month olds, you can offer the whole nugget to gnaw on and suck the juices Once they are able to break off a large chunk, cut in half width-wise so it’s thin, or into bite-sized pieces.

Related: Healthy finger foods for babies

For Toddlers

This stage is all about independence and wanting to make choices so let’s give it to them. Serve the chicken nuggets along with fruits, veggies, or any of these finger foods.

And don’t forget to continue offering foods your toddler doesn’t like (yet!). Currently, my toddler has been refusing carrots (which she loved just a week ago), so I included a small piece for exposure.

This may seem silly, BUT it’s presence is powerful! Even though your child may not eat it today, the more they see the food in question, the more they will fell safe around it. And one day, they will surprise you!

Storage

Transfer homemade nuggets to an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

To freeze, I recommend flash freezing. This is how I like to freeze muffins too. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!