Baked Veggie Chicken Nuggets
Tender ground-chicken nuggets packed with grated zucchini and carrot, rolled in oats and baked. No added salt, and they freeze well.
Ingredients
Makes about 24 nuggets
Find it in these collections
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a tray with parchment. Brush the parchment with half the oil.
- 2
Mix the chicken, zucchini, carrot, egg, ½ cup of the oat crumbs, garlic powder and paprika until just combined.
- 3
Shape into small flat nuggets (about 1 tbsp each) and press each one into the remaining oat crumbs.
- 4
Set on the tray, brush with the rest of the oil and bake 15–18 minutes, turning halfway.
- 5
Check that the center of the thickest nugget reaches 165°F (74°C) with no pink inside. Cool before serving.
Serve it by age
9–12 months
Cut nuggets into small, soft pieces, or tear into thin strips for pincer practice.
12 months+
Serve whole nuggets, halved for younger toddlers, with plain yogurt (contains milk) or low-sodium hummus (contains sesame) for dipping, plus soft veggies.
health_and_safetyAllergens
Contains egg (top 9 allergen). Oats may contain wheat. Offer this after egg has been introduced on its own. For a first exposure, offer a small amount early in the day and watch for 2 hours. If your baby has severe eczema or a known food allergy, talk to your pediatrician before the first taste. The breadcrumb swap adds wheat; yogurt and hummus dips add milk and sesame.
sync_altSwaps
- swap_horizUse ground turkey instead of chicken.
- swap_horizUse plain, no-salt-added breadcrumbs instead of oats for the coating (contains wheat).
kitchenStorage
Fridge 3 days. Freeze cooked nuggets in a single layer, then bag, up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot, then cool before serving. For lunchboxes, pack cold with an ice pack.
Safety reminders
- No added salt, sugar or honey before 12 months.
- Always check texture: food should squash between your thumb and finger.
- Stay with your baby and keep them seated upright while eating.
- This recipe is general guidance for healthy, full-term babies and children. Ask your pediatrician first if your child was born early, has a medical condition, allergies or feeding difficulties (medical disclaimer).
