Description
These Cauliflower Chicken Nuggets are a fun and nutritious way to enjoy nuggets without the guilt. Made with lean ground chicken and finely chopped cauliflower, they’re crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and perfect for dipping. Great for kids, meal prep, or a healthier game day snack!
Ingredients
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1/2 head cauliflower (about 2 cups finely chopped)
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1 lb ground chicken
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1/2 cup breadcrumbs (regular or gluten-free)
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1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
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1 large egg
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon onion powder
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1/2 teaspoon paprika
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/4 teaspoon black pepper
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Optional: olive oil spray for baking or air frying
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400°F (or preheat air fryer to 375°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray air fryer basket.
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Steam or microwave cauliflower until just tender, then finely chop or pulse in a food processor until rice-like.
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In a large bowl, mix cauliflower, ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, and all seasonings.
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Scoop about 1–2 tablespoons of the mixture and shape into nugget-sized pieces.
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Place nuggets on the prepared baking sheet or in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray with olive oil.
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For oven: Bake for 18–20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through.
For air fryer: Air fry for 12–15 minutes, flipping once, until crispy and fully cooked. -
Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
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You can freeze these before or after cooking. Just reheat in the oven or air fryer.
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For extra crunch, coat the nuggets in panko breadcrumbs before baking or air frying.
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Swap Parmesan for nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option.