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Better Than the Snack Bar Baked Chicken Nuggets…with all the sauces. And I do mean ALL the sauces. Never enough sauce. These chicken nuggets are breaded and seasoned, oven-baked, then dipped in an assortment of sauces. Everything from creamy honey mustard, to caesar, to BBQ, to ranch. The options are endless and so delicious. This is what I call snack bar food at home. These nuggets are baked, not fried, and so much tastier. Serve with oven-baked french fries and veggies for an easy kid-friendly summer dinner that’s so much fun and full of flavor.
Well, this is a fun recipe! I speak about this every single summer, but to me, summer is about taking yourself back to being a kid for a few months. Which includes enjoying all the fun summertime food. Growing up on the lake in Ohio meant our summers were hot and humid. If we weren’t swimming in the lake, we were at the pool. The pool was always slightly preferred because, hello…the snack bar. Anyone who spent their childhood summers at their local pool knows all too well about the snack bar.
They’re not fancy, but they’re the best. I was a chicken fingers and soft-serve ice kind of kid, but my brothers lived on the slushies.
Anyway, these chicken fingers are inspired by those snack bar chicken fingers that I’d get all summer long.
But I also had another source of inspo, my brother Creighton. Creigh loves himself some chicken nuggets. Mickey D nuggets, freezer nuggets, high school cafeteria nuggets (he says those were the best)…he loves them all.
But the most important factor to a good nugget?
The sauces. Crieghton says you need lots and lots of sauces. He’s a double-dip kind of guy, and he also loves to mix sauces. So this week I set out to recreate his favorites, but to make them even better and healthier too. We’re also not frying these nuggets, we’re baking them!
We’re not frying these nuggets, we’re baking them! So start by mixing up an egg with some pickle juice and then toss in the trimmed chicken tenders. The is our “glue”, it helps adhere the breading onto the chicken. The pickle juice is key. I’ve heard this is what Chick-Fil-A does for their nuggets. And I have to say, it really does add something special.
Next, combine finely crushed cornflake crumbs with Panko breadcrumbs. The cornflakes are key. As the chicken bakes in the oven, the breading “fries” and becomes extra crisp.
Now bake the chicken in the oven until it crisps all over. My secret is to gently drizzle the chicken with olive oil before it bakes. This helps the coating to really crisp up nicely in the oven. You can’t skip this step, it’s crucial.
Ok, so there are a lot of sauces to this recipe. I of course do not expect you to make them all. Though if you are having a dinner party I would recommend whipping them all up. This gives everyone some delicious options for dipping.
For now, instead of making them all, pick one or two of your favorites. Each of the sauces is incredibly easy to mix up and requires nothing fancy. These don’t take much time at all.
Included in today’s recipe are creamy honey mustard, caesar dressing, sweet chili, and BBQ ranch. Of course, ketchup is always recommended as well. Oh, and a buffalo sauce or Cane’s Sauce would be great too, but I had to draw the line somewhere…trust me I wanted to make and include them all!
Each sauce is just as easy as the next. Simply combine all the ingredients and taste for salt. No cooking or blending in a food processor is required!
All the sauces are SO GOOD! My favorite is honestly good ole’ ketchup, but I do really love the honey mustard. It is SO GOOD, my favorite combo right now. And that homemade caesar dressing (also very obsessed with this).
Which sauce or sauces are you all about??
So curious to know? Please, please tell me in the comments. And if I missed any great ones, you have to inform me of them!
So in the end, Creighton was EXCITED! In fact, he said I made his week with these. He said the sauces are all “gas”…whatever that means.
Got to love him. He’s always got something funny to say.
I’d recommend serving these with home-baked french fries and plenty of veggies on the side. Great for a weeknight, fun for a summer dinner party, or even to take on a picnic. However you serve these up, they’re guaranteed to be a hit!
Looking for other fun, kid-friendly dinners? Here are some favorites:
Easy Southern Style Baked Mac and Cheese
Peanut Butter Mocha Oreo Ice Cream Sandwiches
Lastly, if you make these Better Than the Snack Bar Baked Chicken Nuggets, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
These were incredible! Verdict from the entire family is that the Home made Caesar dressing is the ultimate dip. Will always make this dressing now. Thank you!
Hey Julia,
Happy Wednesday! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try! xTieghan
Do you think I could make these in the air fryer? And if so what temp and how long? Love all of your recipes!! 🙂
Hey Claryssa,
I’ve never tested these in the air fryer, I’m sure they would turn out well for you! Let me know if you give the recipe a try:) xTieghan
I made these last night and they were easy and AWESOME! So much healthier than fried, preservative-laden store bought nuggets. I did half the recipe for 2 people. I’m not a pickle fan so did not have pickle juice. I used apple cider vinegar instead. But I can see where the pickle juice might give it a certain flavor. Any other suggested substitute for that flavor?
Hey Barbara,
Fantastic! I am thrilled that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a go! You could use lemon juice in place of the pickle. xTieghan
These were awesome. Me and my wife were eating them off our kids plates lol.
Hey Andrew,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it!! xTieghan
These were easy and delish! So far everything I make from HBH is awesome!
Hey Christy,
Happy Monday! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxTieghan
It’s so hot where we live and we do not have ac. Do you think instead of using the oven you could cook these in an air fryer?
Hey Kylee,
I haven’t tested this, but I’m sure it would work just fine for you! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
I’ve been eaten chicken nuggets for several times, but this one looks quiet unique. Really want to try and improvise.
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Thanks so much!
I made this for a gathering of friends with kids from 3-6yo. There were many “kids friendly” options but all of the kids flocked to this. Having a variety of dips helped. Even the picky eaters loved these nuggets!!
Hi Erin,
Happy Friday!! I am delighted that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
Dill pickle or sweet pickle juice?
Hey Deb,
I used dill pickle juice, but either one will work just fine. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Would you change anything about time and temp with chicken breasts (cut in half to be thinner)?
Hey Suzanne,
I would follow the recipe as is:) I hope you love them, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I made these last night with gf corn flakes and panko. BEST chicken tendies I’ve ever had in my life! Seriously- make this recipe now!
Hey Melissa,
Awesome! I am delighted that this recipe was enjoyed and truly appreciate you giving it a try! xTieghan
I made these last night with gf corn flakes and panko. BEST chicken tendies I’ve ever had in my life! Seriously- make this recipe now!
Hey Melissa,
Awesome! I am delighted that this recipe was enjoyed and truly appreciate you giving it a try! xTieghan
Do you know how well these would freeze and taste warmed in microwave? Oven always better I’m sure, but my college girl is always-on-the-go:). Thank you for beautiful yummy recipes:)
Hey Sherri,
I think that would be just fine to do! I hope you enjoy the recipe. Please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Everyone loved them. Really easy to prepare! Will definitely make again.
Well done!
Thank you!!
Kimberly
Hey Kimberly,
Fantastic! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I am so glad that it was enjoyed!! Have a great Tuesday. xxTieghan
Absolutely delicious! Everyone loved them. Really easy to prepare!
Well done!
Thank you!!
Kimberly
Hey Kimberly,
Fantastic! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I am so glad that it was enjoyed!! Have a great Tuesday. xxTieghan