CHICKEN NUGGETS WITH HIDDEN VEGETABLES RECIPE FOR HAPPY PLATES
Sometimes it feels like kids won’t eat their veggies because they know they’re good for them, right? You make a delicious, nutritious meal, set their plates down, and they cross their arms at the first vegetable they see. You can try the “one more bite” tricks and ice cream-after-dinner bribes (hey, I get it!), and still no luck.
Want to know a little secret? They’re not eating the meals because those veggies are lying there in plain sight. It’s true! Not every kid is a fan of veggies, and that’s okay. But what I’ve learned is that kids will happily devour a chicken nugget—no second thoughts, no pushing their plates away. With this in mind, I thought, “Why not get creative?”
And that leads us to one of my newest favorite recipes, chicken nuggets with hidden veggies! These nuggets are crispy, tasty, and totally toddler-friendly—even by little picky eaters (our biggest critics!). Plus, they’re perfect for everything from snack box sets to dinners for the family. It’s a meal everyone will enjoy.
Chicken Nuggets With Hidden Vegetables Recipe for Happy Plates
Making chicken nuggets from scratch can sound a little… overwhelming. Sometimes you just want to toss some frozen nuggets in the air fryer and call it a day. But—it truly is much easier than you may think! Even I was surprised by how little prep it takes. Still, that peace of mind you get knowing that your kids are eating all of those good-for-you ingredients? Worth every second.
Not to mention, this recipe is incredibly versatile—every parent's dream! You can mix it up with different dipping sauces, have fun with seasonings, and even experiment with various veggies. (Bonus points if you make fun nugget shapes.)
Speaking of different veggies, it’s worth exploring which ones pull their weight in nugget form. Before we dive straight into the recipe, let’s take a look at our options.
What Vegetables Go With Chicken in Nuggets?
We’re not just looking at which veggies you can use in chicken nuggets—we also have to consider taste, texture, and consistency. Here are all the veggies I recommend using for kid-friendly nuggets:
Carrots: Naturally sweet and full of potassium, iron, and calcium
Zucchini: Adds moisture to the nuggets, but make sure to squeeze out any excess water!
Sweet Potatoes: Slightly sweet and a little savory
Broccoli: Full of vitamins and minerals, hard to taste when finely blended
Cauliflower: Neutral taste but adds bulk and a healthy dose of extra nutrients
Onion: Adds vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and a boost of flavor!
Spinach: Fantastic source of fiber and iron—just finely chop and avoid adding too much
How to Make Chicken Nuggets With Vegetables Hidden in Them
When making recipes, I really love to incorporate a few different variations for tummies with sensitivities or allergens. The first recipe is every day friendly—full of ingredients most eaters can tolerate. If you’re looking for a gluten-free alternative, jump over to recipe two below!
Every Day Friendly:
Ingredients:
1 lb ground chicken
⅓ cup steamed and finely chopped broccoli florets
½ cup mashed sweet potatoes (cooked and cooled)
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg
2 tsp onion powder
2 ½ tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp ground paprika
¼ cup all-purpose flour
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil spray
Instructions:
Step 1: If you’re using an air fryer, preheat it to 375°F. If you’re using your oven, preheat it to 400°F. Make sure to line whatever you’re using—a basket or a baking sheet—with parchment paper.
Step 2: Add your sweet potato and broccoli into a food processor and process until smooth. Once the two are blended, place them into a large mixing bowl.
Step 3: Add the ground chicken and all of your seasonings to the veggie mix. Using either your hands or stirring soon, mix the ingredients until well combined.
Step 4: Scoop out small portions of the mixture and begin shaping them. You can either create traditional nugget shapes or use cookie cutters to get creative! After that, dredge each nugget in flour, dip it in the egg, and then coat it in breadcrumbs.
Step 5: Lightly spray your basket or baking sheet with olive oil to prevent your nuggets from sticking. Then, place the nuggets in a single layer—not too close!
Step 6: If you’re airfrying, cook the nuggets for 12-15 minutes. If you’re using the oven, cook them for 18-20 minutes. Flip the nuggets at the halfway point.
Step 7: Once finished, they’re ready to serve and enjoy!
Tip: Serve with BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or ketchup for a little additional flavor (and excitement!).
Gluten-Free:
Ingredients:
1 lb ground chicken (or in this case, ground turkey could work, too!)
1 ½ tbsp of coconut or avocado oil
½ cup mashed sweet potatoes
⅓ cup steamed and finely chopped broccoli florets
⅓ cup coconut flour
Gluten-free breadcrumbs (Good & Gather and Panko both have great options!)
2 tsp onion powder
2 ½ tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil spray
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F, or your air fryer to 375°F. Line either your baking sheet or your air fryer basket with parchment paper.
Step 2: Using a food processor, add in the sweet potato and broccoli and process until everything is smooth and well-blended. Then, transfer them over into a large mixing bowl.
Step 3: Add your ground chicken (or ground turkey) and all your seasonings to the mixing bowl. With this gluten-free mixture, go ahead and add in your coconut or avocado oil, as well as the coconut flour. Then, using your hands or a stirring spoon, mix everything together until it’s evenly blended.
Step 4: Scoop out small portions of the mixture and begin shaping them. Form them into a traditional nugget shape, or have some fun with it and use cookie cutters!
Step 5: Once you’ve shaped your nuggets, roll them through your gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Step 6: Lightly spray your basket or baking sheet with olive oil spray. Then, place the nuggets in a single layer, making sure not to put them too close to each other.
Step 7: If you’re using an air fryer, cook your nuggets for 12-15 minutes. If you’re using the oven, cook them for 18- 20 minutes. Don’t forget to flip them over halfway!
Step 8: Once they’re finished cooking, serve and enjoy!
Tips for Freezing, Storing, and Veggie-Boosting Your Nuggets
With your veggie chicken nuggets ready to go, let’s explore a few easy tips to level up mealtime and keep things convenient.
Have a few nuggets left over? Pop them into an airtight container and stash them in the fridge. You get to save your hard work and have a ready-to-go meal or snack for later. (Yes, that means an immediate answer for that notorious “What’s for dinner?” question). Cooked homemade chicken nuggets are safe in the fridge for 3-4 days. After that, toss them.
If you’re dealing with a kiddo who’s pickier about how veggies look rather than taste, you can create what I like to call veggie-loaded nuggets! Use up to three veggies that complement each other (like carrots, spinach, and broccoli), and mix them together. It’s an easy and delicious way to really pack in those nutrients.
Looking for a new side to go with your healthy chicken nuggets? I have just the thing—and it’s just as easy to make! Check out my sweet potato sticks recipe.
Struggling to find ways to get your kids to eat their veggies? Just make these chicken nuggets!
Getting your kids to eat veggies can feel like an Olympic sport, trust me, I get it. That’s why I’ve really been into finding new and easy ways to incorporate veggies into kid-friendly meals! When you add nutritious ingredients to tastes and textures they’re already comfortable with, it makes snack and mealtime a breeze.
Want even more super healthy and incredibly yummy recipes? Check out these posts:
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