I am always on the lookout for a bargain when doing our grocery shopping – especially when it comes to meat. Yep, I’m that person you see pretending not to stalk the staff member who is putting out new stock or marking things down. Recently my stalking paid off and I scored 2kgs of organic chicken mince for less than half price. Lining up at the checkout I already knew I wanted to try and make my own chicken nuggets, as I knew the boys would eat them. When I got home with my bargain buy and had split up the majority of it into portions and packed away in the freezer, I finally had time to begin searching for some recipe inspiration. After coming across this recipe from One Handed Cooks, I was ready to get started on my own version of Zucchini and Quinoa Chicken Nuggets.
My eagle eyed little helpers immediately spied I was up to something in the kitchen and naturally they wanted in on the action to. Thankfully this recipe is simple to put together and there were plenty of opportunities for the boys to get their hands dirty – literally.
Before we knew it, our ‘nuggies’ were lined up in rows on the baking trays ready to go into the oven. While they were cooking the boys thankfully kept themselves entertained pulling out the contents of our DVD cupboard, and by the time we had finished packing it up our nuggets were out of the oven and cool enough for them to enjoy. We served them with a really simple salad (which they naturally ignored) but these are good enough to eat on their own too.
These nuggets were a HUGE hit with the boys, and we’ve since included them as part of our regular meal rotation.
Zucchini and Quinoa Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 500 g of chicken breast mince
- 1/4 cup of uncooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1 zucchini
- 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup of very finely grated tasty cheese - use the finest setting on your grater.
- 1/2 tablespoon of mild paprika - optional
Instructions
- Line two baking trays with greaseproof paper and preheat your oven to 200 degrees.
- Use the finest setting of your grater to grate the cheese and place into a small bowl.
- Chop the parsley finely and place it along with the bread crumbs and paprika (if using) into the bowl with the cheese. Set aside until needed.
- Place the water and quinoa into a small saucepan and cook over a medium heat until all the water has absorbed and the quinoa is light and fluffy. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Grate the zucchini into a large bowl before adding the chicken breast mince and cooled cooked quinoa. Using a metal spoon to mix together all the ingredients until they are combined.
- Use another metal spoon to scoop the chicken mixture and roll into balls with your hands.
- Place the chicken balls into the bowl with the grated cheese, bread crumbs and herbs and lightly toss to cover the entire ball with the mixture.
- Place the coated chicken balls on your lined baking tray, and using the palm of your hand, slightly flatten the ball before using the knuckle of your thumb to indent the side - giving you the shape of a ‘normal’ chicken nugget.
- Repeat this process until all the chicken mixture has been used.
- Place the baking trays into the preheated oven, and bake for 20 - 25 minutes or until the nuggets have completely cooked through and are golden. Use a pair of tongs to turn your nuggets over halfway through the cooking time to ensure they are evenly cooked.
- Remove cooked nuggets from the oven and serve.
Do your kids like to help out in the kitchen?
Please tell me I’m not the only one who has kids which like to pull out all the DVD’s and destroy the house?!?!
Kat - The Organised Housewife says
WOW!!!! These look AMAZING! They are going straight on this weeks meal plan or sure.:)
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
Thanks Kat, they were a huge hit with the boys 🙂
Ana says
My kids all loved chicken nuggets, but they were always on the lookout for hidden vegies! I wouldn’t mind these for my own lunch though, with the zucchini and quinoa. They look delicious, thanks for the recipe.
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
Ha, my kids aren’t that smart yet – no doubt the time will come! I admit I may have had a couple with my lunch the next day, they were yummy when added to my salad.
Nicole- Champagne and Chips says
Healthy chicken nuggets! Such a brilliant idea. I bet your boys will never go back to the ‘fake’ ones again either.
I am a bargain hunter too 🙂
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
Nope I don’t think they will. We’ve made them a few more times and now have a handy supply in the freezer. So much better for them!
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says
Love me a supermarket bargain! I make something similar without the chicken but adding chicken would turn the bite into a nugget in one easy step! Inspired! Looks like you have some budding sous chefs in your midst!
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
I certainly do have some budding sous chefs in my house, they love it! I’d love to see your recipe for a non chicken version. Have a great weekend lovely lady x
Dannielle from Zamamabakes says
I think I know another 3 little kidlets who would love these ‘Nuggies’ of yours Lauren.
I ‘m always on the lookout for healthy but economical meal ideas, these are brilliant.
Great pics. xx
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
Thanks Dannielle, hope your kids enjoy them too x
Renee says
Lauren, these look amazing. I’m definitely going to try these over the next couple of days. They sound like a sure-fire winner.
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
Thanks Renee, hope the girls love them 🙂
Julie says
These look really I must try to do some home made nuggets. My daughter loves cooking, mostly just to lick the sugar.
Julie
laurenm83 says
Haha, licking the spoon is my boys favourite part!
Kathy says
Gotta love some healthy chicken nuggets Lauren. So good getting the quiona in. I’ve been trying crumbing with 2 parts quinoa and one part breadcrumbs for a healthier crumb – a bit messy but healthier.
laurenm83 says
Thanks Kathy. I like the sound of your crumb mixture, must give that a try.
Natalie @ Our Parallel Connection says
These look fantastic and easy too. I would give these to my kids as an after school snack alternative as they are a little older (8,11,13,14) so it would keep them full until dinner. Thanks
laurenm83 says
That’s a great idea Natalie!
Jess - A Little Part of the World says
These absolutely look the goods!! My kids love chicken nuggets and I would love to make them with some other goodies in them. These are PERFECT!!! The kids will be eating these this weekend.
laurenm83 says
Thanks Jess, I hope the kids enjoyed them 🙂
Caitlin says
These look amazing. We have a lot of chicken these days since my father bought an organic chook farm last year. (Inglewood farms, provides Macro chicken at Woolworths and Inglewood chicken at Coles.) Next time I get a bag of 2nd fillets, I know what I’ll be trying out! (The only drawback is that we normally get drumsticks or wings, they don’t sell as well as the fillets!) Pinning for later!
laurenm83 says
Wow, that sounds wonderful Caitlin! What are your favourite chicken recipes?
Karin @ Calm to Conniption says
These look really great for the whole family. Ari is hopeless in the kitchen but magnificent at smashing up the DVD draws! Does my head in!
laurenm83 says
I feel your pain, my boys have just been tag teaming our DVD drawers this morning 🙁