Crunchy Asiago Chicken Nuggets.
Like, it’s own food group.
It’s inexplicably a salty, savory, melt-in-your-mouth group of food.
Remember those big fenced in sections of brightly colored balls you used to play in as a little kid? Or as a teenager? Or… last week as a 28 year old freak who wears too much eye makeup? They are smack dab in the center of amusement parks and I think, even… McDonalds? Hmmm. Ew.
Yeah, first… I think those are pretty gross right? Tons of fun and a kid’s dream come true. I used to love the things. But then some grown ups told me they are filled with disease. Germ city. Right? I know you know and you know that I know and we still want to ignore it and play in them anyway. And then I heard on the news or something that they are usually filled with snakes? Okay. Deal breaker. For real, legit snakes slithering through those ball pens. That may seriously be the best dream come true turned into terrible, horrible nightmare. Ugh. The news ruins everything. So do grown ups.
But whatever… just imagine if those things were filled with cheese. It would be cheese up to your knees. Unless you’re really tall. Then it would be up to your ankles. You’d have to bend down more to eat your cheese. Thank goodness I’m short and have tree trunks for legs.
If I had to pick a favorite cheese I would cry. Because I could never, ever do it. I’d throw a full out tantrum. Without going in to too much detail, it’s in the realm of the asiago-sharp cheddar-gorgonzola-gruyere-brie family. Something like that.
Which explains these chicken nuggets! This is definitely a meal that helps marriage communication over here. I love cheese. He loves chicken. He also loves cheese, but would probably eat the square slices of goo wrapped in plastic if I didn’t pluck a Benjamin off of our money tree out back and come home with five different bricks of coagulated milk.
I also make chicken nuggets to make up for my misdoings like that. It works. You should try it. Chicken nuggets with super powers. I like.
Crunchy Asiago Chicken Nuggets
serves 2-4
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 cups low-fat buttermilk
2 cups panko bread crumbs
1 cup seasoned regular bread crumbs
1/3 cup flour (any is fine, I used whole wheat)
1/2 cup freshly grated asiago cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup dijon mustard
1/4 cup honey
2-24 hours before serving, cut chicken breasts into nugget-like chunks. Season with the salt and pepper then add to a bowl and pour buttermilk over top. Let soak for at least 2 hours or overnight.
When ready to bake, heat oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, then lay a wire rack on top and spray with non-stick spray. Add honey and mustard to a bowl and mix, then set aside. Add bread crumbs, flour, cheese, garlic powder and paprika to a bowl and mix thoroughly. Remove each nugget directly from the buttermilk to the bread crumb mixture and coat, then set on the wire rack. Repeat with the rest, then spritz each nugget with olive oil or non-stick spray. I usually just use Pam because I like the “spritz” it gives.
Bake for 7 minutes, then remove pan from oven and gently flip each nugget with kitchen tongs and spritz again with oil or spray. Bake for 7 minutes more, then serve hot with honey mustard.Â
Off to water that tree… it’s gonna be hot today!
162 Comments on “Crunchy Asiago Chicken Nuggets.”
Okay, my niece and nephew went into one of those yesterday and I almost cried – I will never ever let my kids go into those play places.. mainly because I will never ever take them to fast food joints. But chicken nuggets remind me of my childhood. Nice jo.
This looks amazing! I love chicken nuggests, these look amazing with the asiago!
LOVE the new look, girl!
UGH…I LOVE cheese. Why does it hate me? Life really isn’t fair…
These look amazing! The site looks beautiful Jessica!
Thanks friend!
I love asiago cheese, so I know I will love these! I just happen to have come chicken in the fridge…I think I know what we are having for dinner tonight! :-)
I have been following you for a little while, actually making BBQ Chicken Enchiladas tonight, however, you keep coming up with these great nugget recipes! Even though my kids would be excited to have chicken nuggets every night, my husband would say, “chicken again!” I definitely have to add this one to the list!
BTW, love the new sleek site!
Enjoy the enchiladas! :)
These look so much better than McDonald’s. Forget those fast food chains, if you open up a restaurant, put these on the menu, build your own playground with a trampoline filled with sanitized colored balls, and I’ll be there!
I love this idea! Cheese is a food group. I know so.
I love these! Chicken and cheese are always a good combination, and with added bread crumbs, why not!? They are kind of like grown-up chicken nuggets, but ones kids would eat too :)
cheese is TOTALLY a food group, and probably the best one out there. besides, you know, butter or cookies. ;)
I love your blue/turquoise bowl!
Thanks!
Thanks for a tasty looking recipe that I am SURE tastes a million gazillion times better then anything you could get at a fast food joint.. Honestly.. just the smell of all the grease makes me sick! When my boyfriend occasionally grabs something from there.. I make him eat it outside!
The smell usually grosses me out too!
Lovee this! I agree, cheese definitely deserves its own food group…and by combining cheese AND chicken, I think you’ve made a meal both you and Mr.How Sweet can enjoy to no end :)
Oh my do these chicken nuggets look incredible. I LOVE asiago cheese!
Ah – the ball pits. I don’t want to even think about what was in there. Yuck.
Scary. I know.
I used to love those ball pits. What were our parents thinking! I shudder whenever I think about it. Chicken nuggets used to be my favorite food group as a kid. Now mine is cheese too. I LOVE cheese!
Is it weird to want these for breakfast? I hope not.
I adored the ball pits until one fateful day at McDonald’s, when I witnessed a four year old peeing directly into the ball pit. Heartbroken. :(
Ugh. I think i just threw up a little bit.
LOL this post made me laugh for several reasons. Firstly, when I was little, my younger sister (who is 3 years younger than me) and I were playing in one of those “fun” ball pits at Chuck E. Cheese and my sister nearly drowned in it. My mum noticed and told me (because I was in the pit) to pull her up. I could only see her leg so I just pulled her leg straight up and held her upside down, which I’m sure was quite a sight. Secondly, my roommate would totally agree with your very first statement. While I use the same knife and cutting board to prep pretty much every meal of my own, her prep utensils ALWAYS include the cheese grater!
Oh my… I don’t mean to laugh at your sister drowning in plastic balls but that is pretty funny… lol!
FYI – You’ve got a small typo – hone instead of honey. I seriously sat here for 5 minutes going… “hone? what is that? I’ve never heard of hone…” Ha!
Hahahah – thanks! Fixed it. :)
Ewww- the thought of all of the germs in those pits totally freaks me out! But they were SO awesome to play in as a kiddo. mmm I want one of these nuggets. I love at home chicken nuggets because you can make them just as tasty as restaurant ones, with less of the bad stuff. Asiago sounds like an awesome add in.
yuuuum!!!! you can never have too much cheese! :D
Cheese definitely IS its own food group :D And I love chicken.
These look absolutely delicious….for now I just get to look 46 days to competition! and I would never be able to choose a cheese either. I am a cheese-aholic and not afraid to admit it lol.
46 days! Good luck!
Totally making these – the hubs will love ’em! Oh… almost forgot to mention how much I like your revamped blog look! I’m partial to the simple white background for food blogs; I think it showcases the food better :).
Thanks Lauren!
Dear God, thank you my vegetarian challenge is over so I can make these delicious nuggets. Amen.
I think food bloggers should have the ability to create food groups, it’s only fair.
Love the new blog design!
Oooh yes I agree. And thanks!
I will be looking at these (while drooling) at a far distance!
Goat cheese baby. That’s the way to go! But these look great.
The site is stunning!
Chicken nuggets with super powers – love it. These would be a big hit in my house.
Delicious! Asiago cheese is so for real. It’s so good.
Have I been reading your blog through a reader for too long? I LOVE the new design of your site! These nuggets sound delish. Have a super start to the week!!
Nope – just changed it on Sunday night! :) You have a great week too Kim!
are you serious with the snake thing??
These look outrageous :) cheese is most definitely a food group.
I am serious. How scary is that?
Wow! Your site looks so good! It´s so light and fresh! Perfect for the summer :-) Im loving these chicken-nuggets as well, Im making these sometime this summer.
Thank you Astri!
I agree there are far too many fabulous cheese’s out there to pick just one to be my favorite. And these look great!
Those look amazing. Definitely making some this weekend!
Oh, yeah. Cheese should definitely be its own food group. And these chicken nuggets? Uh huh. Making them tonight.
Oh my goodness….LOVE the new look and absolutely LOVE this recipe. Definitely a good way to start off the week right after a “holiday.” :)
Cheese is definitely a food group in my book. These look ah-mazing!
Pretty sure my husband is going to request this one soon. Yum.
Seriously – i love the new look!
Once again, all I have to say is Cheese Plant. Invent one of those and Id be a master gardener :)
If you dont have a wire rack and cook them directly on the lined cookie sheet, do you think they would not be crispy? Should you maybe cook it at a higher temp or something? what do you think….
I wouldn’t cook them at a higher temperature because 450 degrees is already pretty high – I think they will still be crispy, you may just lose a little bit of the breading? But I thill think they would be great!
Jessica, these look fantastic. Any ideas on what could be subbed in for the Dijon mustard? My bf hates mustard with a passion. Maybe I could just use more honey?
The dijon and honey are just used for the dipping sauce, so maybe you could just serve it to him with some ranch or bbq? :)
Oh got it–scary that I read the whole post, and in my mind I decided they were marinated in it. Haha.
Love the new layout and these look SO good!
Mmm these look amazing. Chicken Nuggets were the ONLY thing I would EVER eat at McDonalds. I hated burgers and wouldn’t touch the fries (except to lick the catsup off… odd child, I know. And I always, ALWAYS had to have three different dipping cups for my nuggets: honey mustard, BBQ, and catsup. I wouldn’t touch a McD’s c’nugget today…. But these on the other hand…? Hook me up!
Cooked to perfection!
Ahh – these look amazing. Cheese is definitely it’s own food group.
Will you make these into a Happy Meal for me? With some kind of foodie french fries and a super fun toy? Please and thank you!
That could be a new recipe post… the happy meal!
I rarely if ever comment because I’m not a cook and don’t have anything to add, but I absolutely love your blog. And I have to say: “Cheese is totally a food group” … truer words were never spoken! I LOVE CHEESE. Cheese is my fifth child.
Thank you Katherine! And thank you for commenting. :)
Yum these chicken nuggets look great! Ever since I saw the movie Patch Adams, I think it would be fun to ‘swim’ in a big container of pasta! LOL! I know I am weird- but hey bright colored balls, cheese or noodles, whatever floats your boat… right?
If you’re weird, there is no hope for me!
Your site looks amazing! I love the new look! Can’t wait to try these chicken bites.
Thanks Ashley!
this recipe is going right on this week’s meal plan! Looks so yummy!
OMGoodness! I am in L-O-V-E!!!! I have to admit….I have not been following your blog as much as I would like to….I know, I know….SHAMEFUL! Between softball (which is going to be the death of me), bowling team, end of school year activities & such….I have barely had time to breathe!! However, this morning I had a few minutes of free time & what do I see but these AWESOME chicken nuggets?!?!?!?!? This is seriously a recipe I needed, right at this moment!!! I have EVERY ingredient in my pantry & fridge! We have softball again tonight….I am SO getting ready to cut up my chicken, season it & then off to the buttermilk soak they go!!! My daughter is STARVING when she gets home from softball & this is something I can whip up in no time….Did I mention she LOVES chicken….in any form????? Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! Bethany will have yummy chicken nuggets for dinner tonight after a long softball game! You ROCK! :)
You are the best Amber!
No, after making these last night….I must disagree!! YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!! OMGosh! These are so amazingly fantastic!!!!!! Bethany & I ate them last night, took some next door to the in-laws (who adored them also!) & saved a few for the Hubbs when he got home from working night shift…..Needless to say, there are NONE left!! Your recipe was a HUGE hit around here!!! I swear I was about drool just smelling them bake!!! Again, Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!
***PS- If you have not made these….DO IT NOW!!! You will not regret it!! YUMMMMY! ***