Are you staring at a bag of frozen chicken nuggets and wondering what on earth to do with them? Trust me, I’ve been there! As a busy parent trying to feed hungry mouths while juggling soccer practice dance class and homework, chicken nuggets have saved me countless times. But serving them with the same old sides can get boring fast.
Today, I’m going to share my absolute favorite ways to transform those humble chicken nuggets into delicious, family-pleasing meals that require minimal effort. These recipes need 5 ingredients or less, making them perfect for those chaotic weeknights when you barely have time to breathe, let alone cook!
Why Chicken Nuggets Make a Great Dinner Base
Before diving into the recipes let’s talk about why chicken nuggets are such a fantastic dinner shortcut
- They’re already cooked – just heat and eat
- Kids actually love them (no dinner battles!)
- They’re versatile and can work in many different recipes
- They’re affordable and keep well in the freezer
- Some brands offer decent nutritional value with real chicken and no trans fats
Easy Dinner Ideas Using Chicken Nuggets
1. Chicken Mashed Potato Bowl
This comfort food classic is like a hug in a bowl, It reminds me of those fast-food bowls but tastes so much better homemade!
Ingredients:
- Mashed potatoes (instant or homemade)
- Chicken nuggets, fully cooked
- Mixed vegetables
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Gravy
Directions:
Place mashed potatoes in individual serving bowls. Arrange your cooked nuggets around the edge. Sprinkle veggies and cheese in the center, then drizzle with warm gravy. So satisfying and everyone in my house cleans their plate!
2. Honey Mustard Chicken Chopped Salad
When you want something a bit lighter but still filling, this salad is perfect. The nuggets add protein and crunch!
Ingredients:
- Chicken nuggets, fully cooked
- Salad mix
- Sliced avocado
- Crumbled bacon
- Honey mustard dressing
Directions:
Chop all ingredients except dressing. Toss together in a large bowl and serve with honey mustard drizzled on top. I like to make my own honey mustard, but store-bought works great too!
3. Buffalo Chicken Pizza
My kids go CRAZY for this one. It’s spicy, cheesy, and ready in about 15 minutes!
Ingredients:
- Chicken nuggets, fully cooked and chopped
- Refrigerated pizza crust
- Buffalo sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Shredded cheese (mozzarella with some cheddar)
Directions:
Roll out pizza crust on a baking sheet. Pre-bake at 400°F for 5-8 minutes. Spread buffalo sauce and ranch on the partially baked crust. Add nuggets and cover with cheese. Bake another 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melty and perfect.
4. Sweet and Sour Chicken
Takeout vibes without the cost or wait time!
Ingredients:
- Chicken nuggets
- White or brown rice
- Sweet and sour sauce
- Frozen or canned peas & carrots
Directions:
Cook rice according to package directions. Mix in the cooked peas and carrots. Coat your nuggets in sweet and sour sauce and serve over the rice mixture. My 5-year-old thinks I’m a culinary genius when I make this!
5. Ranch Chicken Wraps
These make a perfect lunch or light dinner and kids can even help make them.
Ingredients:
- Tortilla wraps
- Lettuce
- Chicken nuggets, fully cooked
- Shredded cheese
- Ranch dressing
Directions:
Lay out wraps. Add lettuce, nuggets, and cheese. Drizzle with ranch dressing, roll up, and cut in half to serve. So simple but SO good!
6. Cheesy Chicken Sliders
These mini sandwiches are perfect for game day or a fun family dinner.
Ingredients:
- Slider buns
- Chicken nuggets, thawed
- Mayo
- Lettuce
- Cheese slices (cheddar or pepper jack)
Directions:
Place slider bun bottoms on a baking sheet. Top each with 2 nuggets and quarter pieces of cheese. Bake at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until cheese melts. Add lettuce, spread mayo on top buns, and assemble.
7. Chicken Parmesan Spaghetti Bake
This is comfort food at its finest! My husband actually requests this meal regularly.
Ingredients:
- Spaghetti, cooked
- Chicken nuggets
- Spaghetti sauce (about 2 24-ounce jars)
- Grated Parmesan
- Shredded mozzarella
Directions:
Mix cooked spaghetti with about ⅔ of the sauce in a baking dish. Top with nuggets, sprinkle with Parmesan and mozzarella. Bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes until bubbly.
8. Chicken Tacos
Taco Tuesday just got easier!
Ingredients:
- Chicken nuggets, fully cooked
- Tortillas
- Black beans
- Pico de gallo
- Sour cream
Directions:
Simply assemble nuggets in tortillas with beans, pico, sour cream and any other favorite toppings. We like to add avocado and a squeeze of lime too!
9. Chicken and Waffle Breakfast Sandwich
Who says nuggets are just for dinner? This breakfast/brunch option is amazing!
Ingredients:
- Frozen waffles
- Chicken nuggets
- Maple syrup
- Butter
- Bacon (optional)
Directions:
Toast waffles, heat nuggets, and cook bacon if using. Make sandwiches with waffles as the “bread” and nuggets in the middle. Drizzle with maple syrup before serving.
10. Loaded Chicken & Waffles Nachos
This is what I make when we have friends over for game day – always a hit!
Ingredients:
- Belgian waffles, cut into triangles
- Chicken nuggets, chopped
- Cooked bacon and sausage, chopped
- Shredded cheese
- Maple syrup
Directions:
Arrange waffle pieces on a platter. Top with nuggets, bacon, sausage and cheese. Drizzle with maple syrup just before serving.
11. Honey-Garlic Chicken & Rice Bowls
A healthy-ish option that comes together in minutes.
Ingredients:
- Chicken nuggets
- Rice
- Your favorite vegetables (zucchini, bell peppers, sugar-snap peas)
- Soy sauce
- Honey and minced garlic mixed together
Directions:
Cook rice and sauté vegetables. Heat nuggets. Combine in bowls and drizzle with the honey-garlic mixture and a splash of soy sauce.
12. Copycat Chili’s Honey-Chipotle Chicken
Restaurant flavor without the restaurant price!
Ingredients:
- Chicken nuggets
- Honey
- Chipotle in adobo sauce
- Ranch dressing mix
- Butter
Directions:
Bake nuggets according to package instructions. Mix honey, chipotle, ranch mix, and melted butter to create sauce. Toss nuggets in sauce and serve.
13. Chicken Cobb Salad
A classic made easy!
Ingredients:
- Chicken nuggets
- Mixed greens
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Avocado
- Bacon
- Blue cheese crumbles
Directions:
Arrange greens on plates. Top with sliced nuggets, chopped eggs, diced avocado, crumbled bacon, and blue cheese. Serve with your favorite dressing.
14. Gorgonzola Pear Chicken Salad
This fancy-sounding salad is actually super simple!
Ingredients:
- Chicken nuggets
- Mixed greens
- Sliced pears
- Gorgonzola cheese
- Walnuts
Directions:
Toss greens with sliced pears and walnuts. Top with nuggets and gorgonzola. Dress with a simple vinaigrette.
15. Chicken, Bacon, and Avocado Panini
The ultimate sandwich upgrade!
Ingredients:
- Bread
- Chicken nuggets
- Cooked bacon
- Sliced avocado
- Cheese
Directions:
Layer ingredients between bread slices and grill in a panini press or on a skillet until crispy and cheese melts.
16. Buffalo Chicken Wrap
Perfect for lunch or a quick dinner.
Ingredients:
- Tortilla wraps
- Chicken nuggets
- Buffalo sauce
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing
- Lettuce
Directions:
Toss nuggets in buffalo sauce. Place on wrap with lettuce and drizzle of dressing. Roll up and enjoy!
17. Chicken and Waffle Grilled Cheese
This might sound crazy but trust me – it’s amazing!
Ingredients:
- Waffles (instead of bread)
- Chicken nuggets
- Cheese slices
- Maple syrup
- Butter
Directions:
Make a sandwich using waffles as the bread, with nuggets and cheese in the middle. Butter the outside and grill until cheese melts. Serve with syrup for dipping.
18. Skillet Chicken Parmesan Dip
The perfect party app that people will make a meal out of!
Ingredients:
- Chicken nuggets, chopped
- Cream cheese
- Marinara sauce
- Italian seasoning
- Shredded mozzarella and parmesan
Directions:
Mix cream cheese, marinara, and seasoning. Add chopped nuggets. Top with cheeses and bake until bubbly. Serve with bread or crackers.
19. Cheesy Chicken & Spinach Calzones
These feel fancy but are actually super easy.
Ingredients:
- Refrigerated pizza dough
- Chicken nuggets, chopped
- Spinach
- Ricotta cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
Directions:
Roll out dough into circles. Fill with nuggets, spinach and cheeses. Fold over, seal edges, and bake until golden.
20. Chicken Cordon Bleu Dip
This one’s fancy enough for company but easy enough for a Tuesday!
Ingredients:
- Chicken nuggets, chopped
- Ham, diced
- Swiss cheese, shredded
- Cream cheese
- Dijon mustard
Directions:
Mix all ingredients and bake until bubbly. Serve with bread, crackers or veggies for dipping.
Tips for Working with Chicken Nuggets
- Choose a good quality nugget – it makes all the difference!
- Don’t overcook them – they can get dry
- Season them after cooking for extra flavor
- Chop them up for more even distribution in recipes
- Keep a bag in the freezer at all times for dinner emergencies
Final Thoughts
We all have those nights when cooking a fancy meal from scratch is just not happening. Having these chicken nugget dinner ideas in your back pocket can be a total lifesaver! They’re kid-friendly, adult-approved, and require minimal effort – the holy trinity of weeknight meals!
What’s your favorite way to transform chicken nuggets? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments!
Remember, sometimes the best meals are the ones that get you through a hectic day with minimal stress. Don’t let dinner time add to your chaos – embrace the nugget and make something awesome!
Sweet and Sour Chicken
Ingredients: Yummy Dino Buddies, White or Brown Rice, cooked to package instructions Sweet and Sour Sauce Frozen or Canned Peas & Carrots, cooked
Directions: In a large bowl, toss together rice and peas & carrots. Scoop an individual serving onto plates. Set aside. Coat Dino buddies in sweet and sour sauce. Place on top of rice. Serve with extra sweet and sour sauce.
Ranch Chicken Wraps
Ingredients: Wraps Lettuce Yummy Dino Buddies, fully cooked Shredded Cheese Ranch
Directions: Lay out wraps. Place lettuce, Dino Buddies, and shredded cheese liberally onto each wrap. Drizzle with ranch dressing. Roll up, and cut in half to serve.
Emeril Lagasse’s Chicken Nuggets Recipe
FAQ
How to turn nuggets into a meal?
Cook up the nuggets according to their package directions and boil a pot of pasta. Spoon some tomato sauce over the cooked nuggets and sprinkle them with Parmesan and mozzarella cheese and then return the nuggets to the oven until the cheese is melted. Serve the nuggets over the pasta with additional sauce.
What goes well with chicken nuggets?
Chicken nuggets pair well with classic sides like french fries, macaroni and cheese, and mashed potatoes. For a healthier option, serve them with vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, or a salad. You can also get creative by serving them with baked beans, incorporating them into a wrap or slider, or pairing them with a side of fruit cups for a balanced meal.