Baked Chicken Nuggets with BBQ Dipping Sauce

What kid doesn’t love a chicken nugget? With this recipe for Baked Chicken Nuggets, you can rest assured that your kids are getting good for them protein that’s been baked, not fried. No fillers, just good quality ingredients. Why not make enough for the whole family?

Pair Recipe with Baked Chicken Nuggets with BBQ Dipping Sauce with:
Broccoli Tots with Healthy Ranch Dressing

For the chicken nuggets:

2 large, skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into even, bite-sized pieces

½ tsp kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

1 tbsp Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil, plus extra

6 tbsp whole wheat Italian seasoned breadcrumbs

2 tbsp panko

For the BBQ Sauce:

½ tsp Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

½ yellow onion, diced

¼ cup Colavita Strained Tomatoes

2 tbsp tomato paste

3 tbsp maple syrup

1 ½ tbsp molasses

1 tsp Colavita Balsamic Vinegar

1 tsp soy sauce, tamari or coconut aminos

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1 tsp sea salt

½ tsp paprika

¼ tsp cayenne pepper

½ tsp chili powder

½ tsp ground pepper

Dash of cinnamon

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and drizzle it with a little Colavita Olive Oil.

Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with 1 tbsp Colavita olive oil.

In another bowl, add the breadcrumbs, panko and parmesan cheese. Mix well.

Put a few pieces of chicken at a time into the breadcrumb mixture to coat, then place them on the baking sheet.

Lightly drizzle the tops of the nuggets with Colavita olive oil then bake 8 - 10 minutes. Turn over then cook another 4 - 5 minutes or until cooked through.

TIP: You can put Colavita Olive Oil in a spray bottle for a more even, fine olive oil mist.

For the Sauce:

Add the Colavita Olive Oil oil to a medium saucepan and heat over medium-low heat.

Add garlic and onion and sauté until fragrant, about 5 minutes, being careful not to let the garlic burn.

Add Colavita Strained Tomatoes, tomato paste, maple syrup, molasses, Colavita Balsamic vinegar, soy sauce and mustard into the pan. Stir to combine.

Add in seasonings and spices and stir to combine.

Allow mixture to come to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook for about 12-15 minutes, stirring frequently. Do not let the mixture boil.

Use right away or let cool and refrigerate for later use.

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Baked Chicken Nuggets with BBQ Dipping Sauce