The Best Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe (Gluten-Free & Paleo)

This recipe appears in the Thrive Market cookbook, Healthy Living Made Easy. Find the ingredients in this shopping list.

Chicken nuggets have long been a nostalgic favorite — golden, crispy bites that appeal to kids and adults alike. But for those avoiding gluten, the classic crumb coating is often off-limits. That’s why a gluten-free chicken nuggets version is so appealing: it retains all the comfort and crunch without the wheat.

In paleo and clean-eating kitchens, cooks have adopted nut flours, egg “breading,” and smart seasoning blends to reinvent nuggets in a way that’s still enjoyable standing alone or dipped. While the recipe is inspired by paleo baking, its gluten-free nature is what makes it versatile, approachable, and broadly usable for dietary restrictions.

Whether served as a casual dinner, party food, or kid-friendly meal, these nuggets deliver on texture, flavor, and simplicity. Crisp on the outside, juicy inside, and packed with seasoning, they’re the kind of dish that helps make clean eating feel indulgent.

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Homemade Chicken Nuggets

Recipe Details

Yield: 20 nuggets
Active Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Ingredients

• 1/2 cup coconut flour, divided
• 2 tablespoon ground flaxseed
• 1 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, divided
• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 3/4 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup melted ghee or olive oil

Recipe Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Stir together 1/4 cup coconut flour, ground flaxseed, and **1/4 teaspoon sea salt on medium-sized plate. Set aside.
3. Place ground chicken, egg, remaining 1/4 cup coconut flour, remaining 1 teaspoon sea salt, onion powder, minced garlic, and black pepper together in a large bowl and mix to combine, taking care not to overmix.
4. Scoop out 1 1/2 tablespoon-sized balls and place on baking sheet. Flatten each ball into a small patty, the shape of a chicken nugget.
5. Dip each nugget into the coconut flour mixture, coating each side, and place back on baking sheet.
6. Bake in oven 15 minutes. Brush each nugget with melted ghee or olive oil and bake for 5 more minutes. Serve warm.

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Chicken Nuggets Nutrition Facts

*Estimated per serving (recipe yields 20 nuggets, 4 nuggets per serving). Based strictly on Thrive Market’s ingredient amounts.

Serving Size	4 nuggets
Calories	≈ 160 kcal
Protein	≈ 14 g
Carbs	≈ 5 g
Sugar	≈ 1 g
Fiber	≈ 2 g
Fat	≈ 9 g

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Chicken Nugget Variations & Tips

• Nut-free option: Use pumpkin seed flour or sunflower seed meal instead of almond flour if you have nut allergies.
• Spice mix: Mix in paprika, garlic powder, or chili powder to the “breading” for an extra flavor boost.
• Double dip for crunch: Dip first in beaten egg, then in almond flour + sea salt, then back in egg, and again in almond flour.
• Bake vs fry: For a lighter version, bake on a lined sheet at 425 °F; flip halfway to crisp both sides.
• Make ahead: Form nuggets and freeze on a tray ahead of time. When ready, bake or air-fry from frozen with a couple of extra minutes.
• Use chicken thighs: For extra juiciness, substitute chicken breast with thigh meat, cut into nugget pieces.

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Best Chicken Nugget Pairings

• Homemade ketchup or barbecue sauce (gluten-free) — classic dip you can control clean ingredients.
• Ranch or herbed yogurt dip (dairy-free or dairy-based) — creamy balance for crispy nuggets.
• Sweet potato fries or baked potato wedges — hearty side to round out the plate.
• Coleslaw or crunchy cabbage salad — freshness and crunch contrast the nuggets.
• Fresh fruit slices or vegetable sticks — lighten the meal with crisp, refreshing bites.

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When to Make Chicken Nuggets

• Weeknight family dinners — quick, kid-friendly but still clean.
• Game day or casual watch parties — crowd-pleasing finger food with dietary flexibility.
• Lunchboxes or meal prep — store well and reheat without losing texture.
• Kids’ birthday or playdate snacks — healthier alternative to typical fried nuggets.
• Picnic or potluck gatherings — serve cold or warm with dips for convenience.

Photo credit: Paul Delmont