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Grilled Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Grilled chicken nuggets with golden grill marks on a white plate with honey mustard dipping sauce

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Homemade grilled chicken nuggets made with juicy chicken breast marinated in a simple apple cider vinegar blend and grilled to perfection in just 6 minutes. Quick, healthy, and packed with flavor – a great alternative to fried nuggets.

Ingredients

Scale
  • pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts – cut into evenly sized bite-sized pieces
  • ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Cut the chicken breasts into evenly sized bite-sized nugget pieces so every piece cooks at the same rate.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, brown sugar, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper until fully combined.
  3. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and toss until every piece is well coated. Cover the bowl tightly.
  4. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours. Do not exceed 4 hours or the texture will become mushy.
  5. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (375 to 450 degrees F). Oil the grill grates using a paper towel dipped in oil held with tongs.
  6. Grill the chicken nuggets for 3 minutes per side without moving them until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Look for golden grill marks and firm texture.
  7. Remove from the grill and let rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving to lock in the juices.

Notes

  • Cut chicken into evenly sized pieces so they all finish cooking at the same time.
  • Do not marinate longer than 4 hours or the nuggets will become mushy from the vinegar.
  • Always preheat the grill to medium-high (375 to 450 degrees F) for a proper sear.
  • Use a digital instant-read thermometer to confirm doneness at 165 degrees F.
  • An indoor grill pan works just as well if an outdoor grill is not available.
  • If nuggets stick to the grates, wait another 30 to 60 seconds – they will release naturally once the sear is complete.

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