Better-Than-the-Snack-Bar Baked Chicken Nuggets with All the Dipping Sauces

Baked chicken nuggets that are better than the snack bar, served with all the sauces. And I do mean all the sauces, because there is never enough sauce. These nuggets are breaded, seasoned and baked in the oven, then dunked in everything from creamy honey mustard to Caesar, BBQ ranch and buffalo. The options are endless and every one is delicious. They are baked, not fried, and better for it. Serve them with oven fries and vegetables for an easy, fun, kid-approved summer dinner.

Summer, for me, is about being a kid again for a few months, and that includes all the fun summer foods. Growing up by a lake in Ohio meant hot, humid summers spent either in the lake or at the pool, and the pool had one big advantage: the snack bar. Anyone who spent childhood summers at a local pool knows the snack bar well. Nothing fancy, but the best. I was a chicken fingers and soft-serve kid. These nuggets are inspired by those snack bar chicken fingers, and by my brother Creighton, who loves chicken nuggets of every kind. According to him, the single most important part of a good nugget is the sauce, lots of it, ideally for double dipping and mixing. So this week I set out to recreate his favorites, only better and healthier, because these nuggets are baked, not fried.

The details

Start by whisking an egg with a little pickle juice, then toss in the chicken pieces. This is the glue that helps the crumbs stick, and the pickle juice is key; it adds a little something special. Next, mix finely crushed cornflakes with panko breadcrumbs. The cornflakes are what make the coating extra crispy as it bakes. Finally, drizzle the coated chicken lightly with olive oil before it goes into the oven. Do not skip this step; it is what makes the coating really crisp up.

While the nuggets bake, make the sauces

Yes, there are a lot of sauces here, and no one expects you to make them all. If you are feeding a crowd, though, making the full lineup gives everyone a fun choice. Otherwise, pick one or two favorites. Each sauce is simply stirred together in a bowl, no cooking or blender required, and takes only a minute or two. Today's lineup: creamy honey mustard, Caesar, sweet chili, BBQ ranch and buffalo. Good ketchup is always welcome too. Serve the nuggets with homemade fries and plenty of vegetables for a weekend dinner, a summer party or even a picnic.

Baked Chicken Nuggets with All the Sauces

Ingredients

• 1 egg, beaten
• 3 tablespoons pickle juice
• 900 g (2 lb) boneless chicken tenders, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 1/4 cups crushed cornflakes
• 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Kosher salt
• Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Creamy honey mustard

• 1/4 cup avocado oil mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 teaspoons pickle juice or lemon juice
• Pinch of cayenne

Caesar sauce

• 1/4 cup avocado oil mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 clove garlic, grated

Sweet chili

• 1/4 cup sweet Thai chili sauce
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• Zest and juice of 1 lime

BBQ ranch

• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
• Pinch of cayenne

Buffalo sauce

• 1/4 cup hot sauce (Frank's RedHot is a good choice)
• 3 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 230°C (450°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the egg and pickle juice. Add the chicken and toss to coat. In another bowl, combine the crushed cornflakes, panko, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne and a pinch of salt and pepper.
3. Dredge the chicken pieces through the crumb mixture, pressing so the crumbs adhere, and arrange on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining chicken. Drizzle the chicken lightly with olive oil. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is crisp.
4. To make each sauce, stir the ingredients together in a small bowl. Taste and season with salt as needed.

Nutrition information is an estimate only: about 190 kcal per serving of nuggets.