Who doesn’t love chicken nuggets? For many families, frozen chicken nuggets are a staple weeknight dinner. But cooking them improperly has been linked to foodborne illnesses like salmonella.
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Just because your chicken has a golden-brown breading does not mean it’s fully cooked or ready to heat and eat.
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No one wants to inadvertently serve up a side of salmonella with dinner. The good news? It’s easy to cook this kid-friendly food safely.
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How Long to Cook Frozen Chicken Nuggets
You should follow the package directions, because cooking time and temperature vary widely from brand to brand. The cooking times below are guidelines; make sure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to kill any bacteria that may be lurking.
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In the Oven
Baking chicken nuggets can take anywhere from 10 to 23 minutes—or more. Preheat the oven and let the chicken cook for the full time recommended on the package to double down on safety.
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In the Air Fryer
Be careful when you air-fry frozen foods. The air fryer does make things crisp and delicious, but it can cause problems if food is undercooked, like this salmonella outbreak related to chicken. Keep chicken in your air fryer for 6 to 8 minutes. Be sure the air fryer is preheated.
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In the Microwave
The microwave is your fastest option, at 55 seconds to 2-1/2 minutes. However, the oven and air fryer will yield a crispier nugget.
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What Temperature Should Chicken Be Cooked To?
The safe internal cooking temperature for chicken is 165°. The easiest way to make sure you hit 165° each and every time? Pick up an instant-read thermometer. They’re easy to find and can save you a whole lot of hassle in the long run. As long as your readings hit that magic 165°-mark, you’ll know that the chicken nuggets are safe to eat.
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Even when you’re making tasty homemade chicken nuggets, the same temperature rule applies. Be sure the internal temperature of the chicken is at least 165° before you pull nuggets out of the oven or air fryer.
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Recipes for Homemade Chicken Nuggets, Tenders and Strips
Tex-Mex Chicken StripsI was looking for a way to amp up the flavor of regular chicken strips so I crushed up some leftover corn chips to create a crispy, flavorful coating. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken NuggetsI developed this recipe specifically to copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets. The first time I made them I knew I had a winner because the whole family fought over who got the last one! For a dipping sauce, combine equal parts barbecue sauce and Dijon mustard, then stir in honey to taste. —Jeni Pittard, Statham, Georgia
Skillet Plum Chicken TendersIf you love plums, this recipe is for you! I combine the fruit with chicken tenders for a quick, easy and flavorful meal. Serve with brown rice or orzo pasta. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Fried Chicken StripsI recently made this recipe of Mom's for my in-laws and they told me it was the "best fried chicken ever." Slicing the chicken breasts into strips cuts down on cooking time and ensures every piece is crunchy and evenly coated. Serve the homemade chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce. —Genny Monchamp, Redding, California
Everything Bagel Chicken StripsI love the flavor profile of everything bagels, so I re-created it with traditional breaded chicken fingers. Serve them with your favorite chicken finger dip. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
Spicy Chicken NuggetsWe devour these spicy chicken nuggets at least once a week. If you want to tone down the heat, skip the chipotle pepper. —Cheryl Cook, Palmyra, Virginia
Italian Chicken TenderloinsMy friend made this meal for my husband and me after our first child was born. Since chicken tenderloin recipes can be so caloric, I trimmed down the fat and carbs, but we love it just the same. —Beth Ann Stein, Richmond, Indiana
Easy Chicken StripsI came up with these crispy strips one night when I was looking for a fast new way to serve chicken. They also make delightful appetizers, especially when served with barbecue or sweet-and-sour sauce for dunking. —Crystal Sheckles-Gibson, Beespring, Kentucky
Chicken FriesKid-friendly and quick, these crunchy oven-baked chicken fries are coated with a mixture of crushed potato chips, panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Dip them in ranch dressing, barbecue sauce or honey-mustard sauce.—Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Seasoned Chicken StripsThese strips are designed for kids, but tasty enough for company. The tender strips are moist and juicy and would also be great on a salad. —Becky Oliver, Fairplay, Colorado
Citrus-Honey ChickenWe raise heirloom-breed chickens, so I'm always looking for chicken recipes. This one with oven baked chicken tenderloins and orange and honey flavors is tops at our house. —Beth Nafziger, Lowville, NY
Southern Fried Chicken StripsWhat's not to love with these crowd-pleasing golden fried chicken strips? A hint of garlic makes this fried chicken tenders recipe irresistible. —Genise Krause, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Crispy Sage Chicken TendersOne of my mom's favorite chicken recipes used fresh sage. Her version was smothered with gravy, but we like these
panko chicken tenders as they are. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan
Crispy Barbecue Chicken TendersThese crunch-coated chicken tenders are a little sweet, a little tangy and a whole lot of fun. In half an hour, your family's new favorite dish is ready to eat. When I have extra time, I roast garlic and add it to the sauce. —Andreann Geise, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Chili Chicken StripsInstead of ordinary bread crumbs, seasoned crushed corn chips coat these slightly crunchy chicken fingers. If your family likes food with some heat, use the full 1-1/2 teaspoons of chili powder. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Crispy BBQ Chip TendersThese crunchy chicken tenders are a little sweet, a little tangy and a whole lot of fun. In half an hour, your family's new favorite dish is ready to eat. When I have extra time, I roast garlic and add it to the sauce. —Andreann Geise, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Apricot Cranberry ChickenBefore we had kids, my husband and I used to make a lot of challenging recipes, but now we keep things a little simpler. This tangy chicken has big flavors that everybody likes. —Brooke Ruzek, Elk River, Minnesota
Apple-Mustard Chicken TendersMy husband says this dish is sweet and a little bit sassy, just like me. I like to use Granny Smith apples for a bit of tartness. Winesaps are great for this dish, too. —Linda Cifuentes, Mahomet, Illinois
Parmesan Chicken NuggetsMy 3-year-old went through a chicken-nuggets-and-french-fries-only stage, so I made these golden nuggets for him. Even the grown-ups like them! —Amanda Livesay, Mobile, Alabama
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