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Home / Recipe Type / Mains

Crispy Homemade Chicken Nuggets (Gluten-free, AIP/Paleo)

February 2, 2021 Modified April 12, 2025 By Nicole Charles 23 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links.

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These gluten-free Homemade Chicken Nuggets are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and so flavorful! Made with ground chicken and crispy pork panko, they’re a quick and easy snack or appetizer that kids and adults alike will love! Plus, these chicken nuggets are egg-free, grain-free, and AIP/paleo!

Overhead shot of a white plate with parchment paper topped with golden chicken nuggets and a glass bowl with brown sweet and sour dipping sauce, and cilantro to garnish. Plate is on a grey background.

This post contains affiliate links.

These Homemade Chicken Nuggets are juicy and tender inside with a perfectly golden brown, light, and crunchy exterior! This chicken nuggets recipe is ideal for people with allergies since it’s free of grains, gluten, eggs, dairy, and nuts! They come together in no time and include only six ingredients.

Ground chicken is seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, and salt, formed into nugget pieces, then coated in pork panko or crushed pork rinds. Pork panko is a salty, grain-free, and gluten-free alternative to breadcrumbs that creates a wonderfully crispy, crunchy coating that gets golden brown when cooked.

It holds the nuggets together instead of a traditional flour and egg mixture, traditional breadcrumbs, or other meat fillers used to bind fast-food chicken nuggets. I made these in the air fryer but you can also easily make these on the stovetop with some additional olive oil!

These homemade chicken nuggets are served with an optional tangy sweet and sour sauce for an easy, kid-friendly meal that adults will also love!

What You’ll Need

Measured out ingredients to make Homemade Chicken Nuggets in glass bowls. Pictured clockwise from top: ground chicken, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, olive oil, with ground pork rinds in the center.

⭐️ I’ve made my own pork panko by crushing pork rinds or pork chicharrones in a bag, then pulsing them in a food processor to break them up further!

How To Make Chicken Nuggets

Step 1. Season the chicken
In a large bowl, add ground chicken, olive oil, sea salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Use a spoon to mix and fully combine.

Large glass bowl with ground chicken, olive oil, salt, garlic powder and onion powder.
Chicken nugget mixture in a glass bowl with a spoon used for mixing.

Step 2. Shape the Nuggets
Use your hands to form nugget-sized chicken pieces, about 1 inch long and 1/2 inch wide. Ensure they are uniform in size so they cook evenly.

Chicken mixture formed into small balls or nugget-sized chicken pieces, on a piece of parchment paper.

Step 3. Bread the chicken
Dip or roll each chicken piece in the pork panko, ensuring it is completely covered with the pork panko coating.

Pork panko coated chicken nugget pieces, on parchment paper.

Step 4. Cook the chicken nuggets
In the air fryer: Brush or spray the basket with a light coating of olive oil or avocado oil and preheat the air fryer to 400F. Add the nuggets in an even layer, ensuring the basket isn’t overcrowded. You can work in batches to avoid crowding. Air fry the chicken for 10 minutes, using tongs to flip each piece at the halfway mark.

On the stovetop: Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 TBSP olive oil. Evenly layer nuggets in the pan and lightly pan-fry the chicken until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Flip the chicken pieces with tongs and cook another 3 minutes on the other side. Remove them from the skillet with a slotted spoon and gently blot them with a paper towel to absorb excess oil, if necessary.

Golden brown air fried Homemade Chicken Nuggets on a white plate.

Expert Tips & Tricks

  • Check for doneness by checking the internal temperature is 165F.
  • Double this nugget recipe during meal prep so that you always have a kid-friendly AIP snack on hand. It’s easy to reheat from frozen – check the Storage Instructions.
  • Note on Air Fryer: Many have asked and this is the air fryer I have. It’s my first air fryer and I’m happy with it so far. I chose this one because I wanted an Instant Pot and love the 11 in 1 functionality. After speaking with the manufacturers on Instagram they confirmed that the air fryer basket coating was made of ceramic and did not include PTFE or PFOA chemicals.  

What To Serve With Homemade Chicken Nuggets

As an appetizer or snack, serve these chicken nuggets with the suggested homemade tangy sweet and sour dipping sauce, nomato sauce, guacamole, or other condiments like honey mustard or BBQ sauce (both AIP reintros).

As a main dish, these chicken nuggets pair perfectly with green banana fries, or sweet potato wedges. Serve with greens like smashed broccoli, cucumber salad, or sautéed kale salad to make it a complete meal.

A brown hand dipping a golden brown chicken nugget into a small glass bowl of brown sweet and sour sauce surrounded by chicken nuggets, on parchment paper.

Why Are My Chicken Nuggets Not Crispy?

These homemade chicken nuggets might not get crispy if the pork panko or pork rinds you use are stale. Otherwise, this chicken nuggets recipe is pretty foolproof and you should get crispy, crunchy nuggets regardless of which cooking method you use!

White plate with parchment paper topped with golden chicken nuggets and a glass bowl with brown sweet and sour dipping sauce and cilantro for garnish.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Fridge: Store leftover chicken nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave, oven, toaster oven, or air fryer.
Freezer: Store the cooled, cooked nuggets in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. You can place parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together. Reheat in the oven to let them re-crisp.

Looking for more AIP appetizers? Check out:

  • Green Banana Fries
  • Balsamic-Glazed Chicken Wings
  • Guacamole with Preserved Lemons
  • AIP Beef Patties
  • Juicy Beef Meatballs
  • Stuffed Sweet Potato Cakes

If you try these Homemade Chicken Nuggets I would appreciate it if you would give it a rating and short review. Also, be sure to snap a picture of the finished product and share it with me on Instagram by tagging @healmedelicious.

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A brown hand dipping a golden brown chicken nugget into a small glass bowl of brown sweet and sour sauce surrounded by chicken nuggets, on parchment paper.

Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe (Gluten-Free, AIP/Paleo)


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 11 reviews

  • Author: Nicole Charles
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 20 nuggets 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Description

These easy Homemade Chicken Nuggets are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and so flavorful! Made with ground chicken and crispy pork panko, they’re quick and easy to make, and sure to be a family favorite! Plus, these chicken nuggets are egg-free, grain-free, gluten-free and AIP/paleo!


Ingredients

Units Scale

Chicken Nuggets

  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1 TBSP olive oil
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 cup pork panko/ground pork rinds

Sweet and Sour Dipping Sauce 

  • 3 TBSP coconut aminos
  • 2 TBSP apple cider vinegar
  • 3 TBSP pineapple juice (unsweetened)
  • 1 TBSP nomato sauce
  • 2 TBSP coconut sugar
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1 TBSP arrowroot or tapioca starch + 1 TBSP water

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl combine ground chicken, olive oil, sea salt, garlic powder and onion powder and mix to combine.
  2. Use your hands to form small nugget-sized pieces (about 1 inch long and 1/2 inch wide) and set aside on a plate.
  3. Add pork panko/ground pork rinds to a large bowl and dip each nugget into the panko, coating it completely on both sides.
  4. To make these nuggets in an air fryer, place the nuggets into the air fryer basket lightly coated with olive oil and fry on 400F for 10 minutes, flipping over at the 5 minute mark.*
  5. To make these nuggets on the stovetop, heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat with 2 TBSP olive oil. Add nuggets in an even layer to pan and cook ~ 3 minutes per side.
  6. Serve warm on their own or with a sauce of your choice like the sweet and sour sauce below.

Sweet and Sour Dipping Sauce

  1. To a small saucepan over medium heat add coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, nomato sauce, pineapple juice, coconut sugar and sea salt and bring to a simmer.
  2. Combine arrowroot or tapioca starch with water and make into a slurry.
  3. Pour the slurry into the simmering sauce and use a whisk to combine. Whisk continuously until sauce begins to thicken. Remove from heat immediately.

Notes

* If your air fryer is large enough for all the nuggets to sit in an even layer you can make them all at once. If not, work in batches to avoid crowding the basket.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Air Fryer; Stovetop; Baked
  • Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag @healmedelicious — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Categories: AIP, All Recipes, Appetizers, Chicken, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Mains, Paleo, Sides, Whole30

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Vanessa

    January 12, 2025 at 6:12 pm

    Do you think it would work to cook these in the oven?

    Reply
    • Nicole Charles

      February 27, 2025 at 3:03 pm

      I’d recommend pan frying if air frying isn’t an option. Made a note of this in the recipe!

      Reply
  2. Taylor K.

    March 25, 2024 at 12:17 pm

    I’m really impressed with how these turned out! I wasn’t quite sure how I would like a pork rind breading because I myself am not a pork rind fan. Although, my son is grain free and I have yet to find a store-bought version he can have. These are it!! I love the taste! They were so quick and easy to make. I used EPIC! Pink Himalayan Salt Baked Pork Rinds which are a clean food brand so I feel really good about giving these to my son! I will forever be grateful to those who create and share recipes who help mom’s like me who are always on the search for allergy friendly meals! So, thank you so much!! I’ll be making these and freezing them for quick and easy protein-filled lunches!

    Reply
  3. Kursten

    June 6, 2023 at 11:55 am

    Had anyone tried baking them in the oven? Not sure what temp or how long.

    Reply
    • Nicole Charles

      February 27, 2025 at 3:29 pm

      i haven’t myself but can definitely recommend frying on the stovetop instead!

      Reply
  4. ahs

    March 30, 2022 at 9:47 pm

    Wow! These are showstoppers! I bookmarked this recipe while I worked to source panko! Happily, I found just the right bag in time for spring break. It felt so celebratory to dip (delicious) nuggets into *perfect* sweet and sour sauce! I served these with sweet potato fries and reheated the leftovers in the oven a few days later. Such a delight! Thank you as always, Nicole!

    Reply
  5. Ilene

    February 10, 2022 at 10:46 am

    Hello! These look great…just wondering how many nuggets you get with 1 lb of ground chicken? Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Ashley

      December 30, 2022 at 4:10 pm

      I think I got about 20.

      Reply
  6. Monica

    December 28, 2021 at 9:09 pm

    So good thanks Nicole !

    Reply
  7. Elizabeth

    September 15, 2021 at 7:54 pm

    The family loved these! I didn’t use the garlic or onion powder due to my youngest having some issues with it and used shredded unsweetened coconut instead of pork rinds. I am wanting to make a big batch and freeze some for after when baby 3 gets here in the winter. Do you know if this will work?

    Reply
    • Nicole Charles

      September 20, 2021 at 10:07 am

      Hi Elizabeth, glad you enjoyed. I think so but you’d have to reheat in the oven to re-crisp! Do let me know if you try

      Reply
    • Emanda S Gnacinski

      January 1, 2022 at 10:40 pm

      Have to cook off first then put on parchment paper in singles layer and freeze then package. So don’t stick together.

      Reply
  8. Kaitlin

    June 24, 2021 at 8:52 pm

    WOW ? These are so so good!! My only complaint is that my kids loved them too much and ate almost all of them so I only got to try 2 ? I will definitely double the recipe for my family next time. The texture is amazing & the panko makes such a delicious crunchy coating. They were very easy to make as well. Definitely going on a regular meal rotation. So thankful for you for creating this family friendly recipe!

    Reply
    • Nicole Charles

      June 24, 2021 at 9:05 pm

      Thanks so much for leaving a review Kaitlin! So glad you and kiddos enjoyed!

      Reply
  9. Paola

    May 1, 2021 at 9:36 pm

    This nuggets are AWESOMMMMMEEEEE!!! Thank you so much for the recipe…. it makes me feel less deprived while being on the AIP Paleo diet and reminds me of the times I indulged with Mc. Donald’s.

    Reply
  10. Faith

    February 13, 2021 at 6:15 pm

    Excellent! I’ve never had pork rinds before and when I opened the bag they smelt terrible so I was sure it would be a bust.

    Nope! So good! And so was the sauce! I’m going to attempt freezing some to pull out later.

    Reply
  11. Iris

    February 12, 2021 at 11:14 am

    These were delicious! I made some with ground chicken and some with ground shrimp (the shrimp ones were even better than the chicken). For the breading, I used half crushed plantain chips and half finely shredded coconut. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  12. Kat Lag

    February 9, 2021 at 3:25 pm

    Love this recipe. I dont have pork grinds so i use the regular jap breadcrumbs. Definitely will make this again soon.

    Reply
  13. Sam

    February 7, 2021 at 12:56 pm

    These nuggets are AMAZING! I used ground turkey (because that’s all I had) and was super skeptical of the pork panko, however I am converted! They had the perfect salty, crunchy, fatty coating especially to the dry ground turkey! The seasoning is simple and perfect, no need to jazz it up! These are tasty enough on their own, my family didn’t even use the dipping sauce!

    Reply
  14. Krys

    February 7, 2021 at 1:29 am

    These nuggets were really easy to make and the results were delicious. I didn’t have pork rinds so I used crushed cassava crackers and it worked perfectly. 10/10 would make again!

    Reply
    • Amanda

      February 11, 2021 at 8:27 pm

      This recipe is genius! It’s the recipe I didn’t know I needed. These taste delicious, just like “real” chicken nuggets. And it’s super easy, to boot.

      Reply
  15. Kris

    February 6, 2021 at 12:50 am

    These are delicious! I tried them with the green banana fries! Wow, even my husband was fooled. Every recipe I’ve tried of yours so far has been awesome. Thank you!

    Reply
  16. Michele Rutland

    February 4, 2021 at 6:54 pm

    Wow! Wow! Wow!
    These are AMAZING!
    I had pork rinds in the house so I made my own pork panko. They are perfect! Flavor and texture are spot on. My (non AIP) husband loved them too. So quick and easy to make. These are already a favorite.

    Reply

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Hi! I’m Nicole, the recipe developer, food enthusiast and photographer behind Heal Me Delicious. Read More

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