Name: High-Protein Chicken Nuggets with Dipping Sauces
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 600 g Chicken Breast (bite-sized pieces); 45 g Skyr / Greek Yogurt (0.2% fat); 15 g Mustard; 1 tsp Smoked Paprika; 1 tsp Garlic Powder; 1 tsp Onion Powder; 1 tsp Salt; 0.5 tsp Pepper; 70 g Unsweetened Cornflakes; 15 g Parmesan Cheese, grated; 1 tsp Smoked Paprika; 1 tsp Garlic Powder; Cooking Spray; 60 g Skyr / Greek Yogurt (0.2% fat); 15 g Mayonnaise; 15 g BBQ Sauce; 10 g Honey; 0.75 tsp Mustard; 0.5 tsp Smoked Paprika; 0.5 tsp Garlic Powder; 0.25 tsp Salt; 90 g Skyr / Greek Yogurt (0.2% fat); 15 g Mayonnaise; 1 tbsp Lemon Juice; 0.5 tsp Garlic Powder; 0.5 tsp Onion Powder; 0.5 tsp Dried Dill; 0.5 tsp Dried Parsley; 0.25 tsp Salt; 0.25 tsp Pepper

Jump to Recipe

If you love crispy chicken nuggets with a golden, crunchy coating and juicy chicken inside, you need to try these high-protein chicken nuggets. We wanted homemade chicken nuggets that deliver all the flavor and crunch of the classic version but without deep-frying, and these cornflakes chicken nuggets turned out even better than we hoped. They’re easy to make in the air fryer or oven and pair perfectly with a dipping sauce.

Many homemade chicken nuggets can end up dry or lose their coating while cooking. Our simple Skyr marinade helps keep the chicken tender and juicy while ensuring every bite stays deliciously crispy. To make them even better, we serve them with two protein dips you’ll want to eat on repeat: a creamy honey-mustard BBQ dip and a classic ranch dip. Whether you enjoy these air fryer chicken nuggets for lunch, dinner, or as a snack, they’re a macro-friendly recipe we keep coming back to.

Nutrition (Per Serving – Recipe Makes 3 Servings)

Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein
509 kcal	31 g	16 g	56 g

One Serving of Chicken Nuggets without Sauces

Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein
388 kcal	23 g	9 g	50 g

Calories and macronutrients are per serving and are approximate. Actual values may vary depending on the specific ingredients used. For informational purposes only.

Close-up photo of High-Protein Chicken Nuggets with Dipping Sauces served on a stone plate

Why Choose This Recipe?

Extra Crispy without Deep Frying

We wanted crispy chicken nuggets that deliver real crunch without deep frying. The secret is cornflakes, which create a much crispier coating than traditional breadcrumbs. These air fryer chicken nuggets come out golden, crunchy, and seriously satisfying every time.

High-Protein & Macro-Friendly

Each serving of these high-protein chicken nuggets packs around 56 g of protein, making them a great macro-friendly option for lunch or dinner.

No Eggs Needed

These chicken nuggets without egg are proof that you don’t need eggs for a great coating. Instead, Skyr works as a marinade and binding base, helping the cornflakes stick perfectly to the chicken while keeping the nuggets juicy at the same time.

Two Homemade Dips

If you love chicken nuggets with dipping sauce, these two protein-rich dips make every bite even better. We serve them with a creamy homemade ranch sauce and a bold honey-mustard BBQ sauce, perfect for dipping and enjoying every bite even more.

What You Need for These High-Protein Chicken Nuggets

All ingredients for High-Protein Chicken Nuggets with Dipping Sauces

Here you can see the ingredients for these high-protein chicken nuggets. See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients with all quantities.

Ingredients Explained

Chicken Breast: the main protein base of the recipe. We use chicken breast because it’s lean, high in protein, and perfect for making crispy chicken nuggets.
Skyr: the base of the marinade that keeps the chicken juicy and tender while also replacing egg as a simple binder.
Mustard: adds a subtle kick and flavor.
Cornflakes: our secret for extra crispy chicken nuggets, creating that crunchy coating we love.
Parmesan: adds extra flavor and helps build a golden, crispy crust for even more delicious bites.
Cooking Spray: helps the coating crisp up and turn beautifully golden in both the air fryer and oven.

Recipe Variations

You can easily customize these high-protein chicken nuggets recipe to match your own taste.

Chicken thighs instead of breast: if we want extra juicy homemade chicken nuggets, we go for chicken thighs instead of chicken breast. They add more flavor and make the nuggets even more tender.
Panko instead of cornflakes: panko breadcrumbs also work for these crispy chicken nuggets. The coating turns out more even and fine, while cornflakes give a crunchier, more rustic texture for our baked chicken bites.
Make them spicy: for a spicy kick, we add cayenne, chili flakes, or a splash of hot sauce directly to the marinade. It’s an easy way to give these macro-friendly chicken nuggets a bit of heat.
Skip the parmesan: parmesan can be left out if needed. You’ll lose a bit of extra flavor, but the nuggets still stay crispy and delicious.

Any changes to the ingredients may affect the macronutrient values. If you modify the recipe, the nutritional values should be recalculated accordingly.

How to Make These High-Protein Chicken Nuggets

Seasoning chicken pieces and marinating them.

Steps 1–2: Marinate the Chicken

Start by cutting the chicken into small, even pieces so everything cooks evenly. Then add the marinade ingredients directly to the meat in a bowl and mix everything well. Let it rest for 10–15 minutes so the high-protein yogurt can tenderize the chicken.

Crushing cornflakes in a plastic bag with a metal rolling pin. Seasoning the crushed cornflakes in a bowl.

Steps 3–4: Prepare the Crispy Coating

Lightly crush the cornflakes, making sure to keep them coarse because too fine crumbs lose the crunch that makes these cornflakes chicken nuggets so special. In a hollow bowl, combine the cornflakes with grated parmesan and spices for an evenly seasoned coating.

Coating the marinated chicken pieces in the seasoned crushed cornflakes.

Steps 5–7: Coat the Chicken Nuggets

Coat each piece of chicken thoroughly and gently press the coating so it sticks well. This step is key for getting crispy chicken nuggets, so take your time here.

Placing the coated chicken nuggets on a baking rack. Then showing the baked chicken nuggets.

Steps 8–9: Air Fry or Bake & Make the Dips

Place the nuggets with space between them so they crisp up evenly. Then air fry at 200°C (390°F) for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway, or bake in the oven (fan) at 200°C (390°F) for 18–20 minutes on the middle rack. While they cook, prepare both dips and let them chill briefly so the flavors develop.

JuicyMacros Recipe Tip

Don’t Skip the Cooking Spray: we never skip the cooking spray, as it helps the coating turn beautifully golden and gives these air fryer chicken nuggets that perfect crispy finish.

How to Store These High-Protein Chicken Nuggets

Refrigerator
let the chicken nuggets cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge
keep for up to 3 days
reheat in the air fryer at 180°C (355°F) for 3–5 minutes or in the oven for 8–10 minutes
we don’t recommend the microwave, as it softens the cornflake coating
Freezer
let the nuggets cool completely, then freeze them first on a tray before transferring to a bag or airtight container
store for up to 3 months
reheat in the air fryer at 180°C (355°F) for 5–8 minutes or in the oven for 10–15 minutes

Similar Recipes

Here are more chicken recipes:

Or some more dinner & lunch recipes:

High-Protein Big Mac Wrap
Hot Honey Cottage Cheese Bowl

If this recipe was a hit for you, consider leaving a star rating and letting us know your experience in the comments below. 🙂

Recipe: High-Protein Chicken Nuggets with Dipping Sauces

High-Protein Chicken Nuggets with Dipping Sauces

Recipe by JuicyMacros – juicymacros.com

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: Main CourseCuisine: American

Servings

–

servings

Prep Time

minutes

Cook Time

minutes

Calories*

509

kcal

Carbohydrates*

Fat*

Protein*

These High-Protein Chicken Nuggets are one of our favorite macro-friendly meals. We make them with simple ingredients, coat them in crushed cornflakes for extra crunch, and cook them until perfectly crispy in the air fryer or oven.

Cook Mode

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Ingredients

Chicken & Spices
600 g Chicken Breast (bite-sized pieces)
45 g Skyr / Greek Yogurt (0.2% fat)
15 g Mustard
1 tsp Smoked Paprika
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Onion Powder
1 tsp Salt
0.5 tsp Pepper
Crunchy Coating
70 g Unsweetened Cornflakes
15 g Parmesan Cheese, grated
1 tsp Smoked Paprika
1 tsp Garlic Powder
Cooking Spray
Honey-Mustard BBQ Dip
60 g Skyr / Greek Yogurt (0.2% fat)
15 g Mayonnaise
15 g BBQ Sauce
10 g Honey
0.75 tsp Mustard
0.5 tsp Smoked Paprika
0.5 tsp Garlic Powder
0.25 tsp Salt
Protein Ranch Dip
90 g Skyr / Greek Yogurt (0.2% fat)
15 g Mayonnaise
1 tbsp Lemon Juice
0.5 tsp Garlic Powder
0.5 tsp Onion Powder
0.5 tsp Dried Dill
0.5 tsp Dried Parsley
0.25 tsp Salt
0.25 tsp Pepper

Directions

Marinate the Chicken
Cut the chicken breast into evenly sized bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl. Add the Skyr, mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until every piece is evenly coated. Let marinate for 10–15 minutes. This helps tenderize the chicken and allows the flavors to develop while creating a sticky surface for the coating to cling to.
Prepare the Crispy Coating
Lightly crush the cornflakes in a bag with your hands or a rolling pin. Transfer to a shallow bowl and mix with the grated Parmesan, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
Coat the Chicken Nuggets
Coat each chicken piece in the cornflake mixture, pressing gently on all sides so the coating sticks well. Shake off any excess coating before placing the nuggets on a plate or tray.
Arrange and Spray
Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in your air fryer basket or on a lined baking tray. Avoid overcrowding, as this can prevent the nuggets from crisping up properly. Lightly spray with cooking spray for a golden, crispy finish.
Air Fry or Bake Until Crispy
Cook until the coating is crisp and the chicken is fully cooked:
– Air Fryer: 200°C (390°F) for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.
– Oven (fan): 200°C (390°F) for 18–20 minutes on the middle rack, flipping halfway.
The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F) or when the center is no longer pink.
Make the Dipping Sauces
To prepare the dips, combine the ingredients for each sauce in separate bowls and whisk until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Recipe Video

Notes

Optional Serving Suggestions: air fryer fries, side salad, potato wedges, roasted vegetables
Nutritional values for one serving of chicken nuggets without dips:
388 Calories* | 23g Carbs* | 9g Fat* | 50g Protein*
Storage:
– fridge: store in airtight container for up to 3 days, reheat in air fryer or oven (avoid microwave)
– freezer: freeze first on a tray, then store up to 3 months, reheat in air fryer or oven
*Calories and macronutrients are per serving and are approximate. Actual values may vary depending on the specific ingredients used. For informational purposes only.

Have you tried this recipe yourself?

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Recipe FAQs

Can you make chicken nuggets without eggs?

Yes, you can easily make chicken nuggets without egg. Use Skyr instead, which works as a binder and helps the coating stick while keeping these high-protein chicken nuggets juicy and crispy in the air fryer or oven.

How do you keep homemade chicken nuggets crispy?

Avoid overcrowding the tray or air fryer so the hot air can circulate properly. Keeping the cornflakes coarse instead of crushing them too fine is key for extra crunchy chicken nuggets.

Can I freeze baked chicken nuggets?

Yes, you can freeze them after baking and once they’ve cooled completely. They reheat well in the air fryer or oven and are perfect for a quick, macro-friendly snack anytime.

What sauce goes best with chicken nuggets?

We love serving them with our honey-mustard BBQ dip for a sweet, smoky flavor and a creamy ranch dip for freshness.