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When can babies have chicken nuggets?
Can babies have chicken nuggets?
Babies can have an occasional chicken nugget from about 6 months if the crunchy coating is removed and the chicken is cut to a safe size. Homemade baked nuggets with a soft coating are the best option. Most nuggets have a wheat-based breading, and store-bought nuggets can be high in sodium.
How to serve chicken nuggets by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
At 6 months, plain chicken is a better choice than nuggets. If you do offer a homemade nugget, peel off the coating and blend the fully cooked chicken with a little broth, breast milk or formula and smooth vegetable puree, then serve it on a spoon.
7–8 months
Peel off any crunchy breading and shred the soft chicken into lumpy mashed vegetables, or offer it in strips about the size of two adult fingers. Homemade nuggets with a soft coating can be served whole if they are finger-shaped and squash easily.
9–12 months
Cut soft homemade nuggets or chicken from store-bought nuggets into bite-size pieces about the size of a chickpea. Remove hard, crunchy coating that does not soften easily.
12 months +
Once your toddler chews well, offer whole nuggets cut in half or in quarters, with the coating on if it is not very hard. Serve them with vegetables and a dip like plain yogurt, and keep fast food nuggets occasional.
Why it’s good
Chicken nuggets give protein for growth and some zinc and B vitamins from the chicken. Processed and fast food nuggets are often high in sodium and fat and contain less meat than homemade ones. Homemade nuggets made from chicken thigh give more iron and zinc than breast meat.
Safety notes
- Crunchy breading can break into hard, sharp pieces. Remove it for young babies or make nuggets with a soft coating.
- Cook chicken nuggets until the inside reaches 165 F (74 C). Heat frozen nuggets fully, even if the package says precooked.
- Store-bought and fast food nuggets can be high in sodium. Choose lower-sodium brands or make nuggets at home.
- Cool nuggets before serving, since the center can stay hot.
- Skip salty dipping sauces like barbecue sauce and ketchup for babies. Use plain yogurt, mashed avocado or unsalted hummus.
Introduce chicken nuggets on its own, then keep it in
Most chicken nugget breading contains wheat, a Top 9 allergen, and some brands use egg, milk or soy. Chicken itself is rarely an allergen. Check labels and introduce these allergens separately first if you can.
Chicken nuggets for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about chicken nuggets for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have chicken nuggets?
Babies can have chicken nuggets from about 6 months as an occasional food, with the crunchy coating removed. Homemade chicken nuggets with a soft coating are the best choice for babies.
Can babies have chicken nuggets?
Yes, babies can eat chicken nuggets now and then if the chicken is fully cooked, the hard breading is removed, and the pieces are the right size. Chicken nuggets should not replace plain chicken, which has less salt.
Are chicken nuggets a choking hazard for babies?
Chicken nuggets are a medium choking risk for babies because crunchy breading can break into hard pieces and chicken can be chewy. Remove the coating and cut the chicken into strips or small pieces for your baby's stage.
Are chicken nuggets a common allergen?
Chicken nuggets often contain common allergens, mainly wheat in the breading and sometimes egg, milk or soy. Chicken itself is not a common allergen, so check the ingredient list.
How do I serve chicken nuggets to a 6 month old?
To serve chicken nuggets to a 6 month old, peel off the breading and blend the fully cooked, cooled chicken with a little liquid and smooth vegetable puree, then offer it on a spoon. Soft chicken strips to hold can follow at 7–8 months.
Are frozen chicken nuggets OK for babies?
Frozen chicken nuggets are OK for babies occasionally if they are cooked through and the crunchy coating is removed. Many frozen chicken nuggets are high in sodium, so compare labels and choose lower-sodium brands.
Can babies have fast food chicken nuggets?
Fast food nuggets are salty and fried, so skip them before 12 months; toddlers can have them occasionally. Remove the coating and pair the chicken with fruit or vegetables rather than fries.
How do I make healthy chicken nuggets for babies?
To make healthy chicken nuggets for babies, cut chicken thigh into strips, dip in egg, roll in fine breadcrumbs or oat flour, and bake until cooked through. Skip the salt and add herbs or garlic powder for flavor.
Are chicken nuggets a good source of iron for babies?
Chicken nuggets are not a strong source of iron for babies, especially those made from white meat. Dark chicken meat, beef, lentils and iron-fortified cereal give more iron.
The takeaway
- Babies can have an occasional chicken nugget from about 6 months if the crunchy coating is removed and the chicken is cut to a safe size.
- At 6 months, plain chicken is a better choice than nuggets.
- Choking risk is medium. Wheat is one of the Top 9 allergens: offer a small amount first, watch for a reaction, then keep it in the diet regularly.
Read next
Sources
This guide follows current advice from these organizations.
- Starting Solid Foods American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Choking Hazards Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Choking Prevention American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- The Effects of Early Nutritional Interventions on the Development of Atopic Disease in Infants and Children Greer FR, Sicherer SH, Burks AW; American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics. 2019;143(4):e20190281
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Updated November 2026. Reviewed by our dietitians. Based on AAP, CDC and NIAID guidance. Written for healthy, full-term babies; not a substitute for your pediatrician. If your baby was born early, has a medical condition, feeding difficulties or a known allergy, check with them first (medical disclaimer). Always stay with your baby while they eat.