These baked chicken nuggets and homemade honey mustard sauce are an easy way to satisfy fast food cravings at home!
Even though I love salads, vegetables, and all sorts of healthy goodness, as well as eating at local restaurants, sometimes fast food just sounds SO good. Do you know what I mean? I rarely indulge, except on road trips or nights that I really really have no desire to cook and we have no leftovers. [This is super rare.] To be completely honest, the health aspect is only part of the reason I don’t indulge that often. It’s the cost. It just seems ridiculous to me to spend $7+ on a “good” fast food meal… especially keeping in mind what fast food is really made of. So what to do, what to do. Make my own fast food, of course! Chicken nuggets and chicken tenders are my absolute fave. Always have been, always will be.
True, it takes longer. And it’s not exactly like what you’d get at a fast food place. But seriously… if it’s just the crunch of chicken and the endless vats of dipping sauce that you desire, this will be well worth it! I’m not going to lie; these chicken nuggets aren’t healthy. They’re baked, not fried, so there is some redeeming qualities to them, but healthy they are not. Their breading is held on by an unexpected blend of balsamic vinegar and honey, a combination that’s sweet and savory all at once!
Though you can dip these chicken nuggets in whatever sauce you like–ketchup, BBQ sauce, mustard… might I suggest this homemade Chick-Fil-A sauce? Before seeing this recipe I didn’t realize that Chick-Fil-A had their own special sauce besides their honey mustard, so I can’t vouch for the authenticity of this recipe. I can speak for the taste though–it’s amazingly, utterly, wonderfully delicious! So next time you have a craving for fast food, why not make some at home? I bet you have most of these ingredients in your pantry and fridge right now! I know I do. 🙂 Enjoy!
one year ago: Double Chocolate Banana Muffins
two years ago: Pesto Potato Salad
three years ago: Salmon with Lemon, Tarragon, and Garlic Sauce
four years ago: Summer Mexican Soup
Baked Honey Chicken Nuggets with Homemade Chick-Fil-A Sauce
from Macaroni and Cheesecake
Ingredients:
for chicken nuggets
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 1/2 cups bread crumbs, Panko if possible – if regular bread crumbs you may want to toast in a dry skillet for a few minutes until golden brown
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
for Chick-Fil-A sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon BBQ sauce
Directions:
Line a large sheet pan with foil and lightly grease with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
In a shallow bowl, whisk together honey and balsamic vinegar. Place bread crumbs in another shallow bowl. Roll chicken in honey then dip in bread crumbs, being sure to coat each side. Place on prepared pan and repeat until all chicken is used. Bake for 30 minutes or until cooked through.
After chicken is in the oven, whisk together all ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate while chicken cooks, about 30 minutes, to allow flavors to marry.
Serve chicken nuggets with sauce, ketchup, etc. Extra sauce will keep in the refrigerator for a couple weeks.
The Pajama Chef 
I love re-creating anything like this at home! These chicken nuggets sound so good – especially with the honey and balsamic vinegar! I had no idea Chick-fil-a had a special sauce but I’m usually all about any kind of dipping sauce! haha 🙂
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thanks ashley! dipping sauce is the best, huh? 🙂
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These look great! So glad you enjoyed them!
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thanks stephanie! great recipe!
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Yum, sounds good!
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thanks emily!
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OH my goodness! makin these soon i love chicken nuggets! ive been know to eat them for breakfast! but shhhhhh dont tell anyone 🙂
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thank you, mary! i like eating atypical foods for breakfast too 🙂
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Take-out at home is the best way to enjoy take-out, in my opinion! These look great.
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thanks joanne!
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Chicken nuggets are true comfort food and these homemade ones look especially awesome… The dipping sauce makes them even more so!!
Sues
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thank you, sues!
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Sarah: Please don’t buy your chicken tenders from China. McDonald’s purchased some chicken that was expired. Your recipes inspire, I might add. Love, Dad
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don’t worry, dad! i’m not sure the last time i had mcdonald’s anyway 🙂
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Recreating favorites like this is the best!!! Love the chicken nuggets 🙂
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thanks zainab!
On Thu, Aug 7, 2014 at 7:04 PM, The Pajama Chef wrote:
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I absolutely love crunchy baked chicken nuggets and tenders like this – one of my favorite things to make! And yours look divine with that sauce. YUM!
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thank you, amy!
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I’ve been dying to go to Chick-fil-a. Can you believe I’ve never been? Are there any in the northeast?
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i have no idea, but if you’re ever in the midwest or the south be sure to try it out 🙂
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weird, I love Chick Fil A but have never had the sauce!!! This sounds fantastic though!
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i need to look for it next time i’m there!
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