Chicken nuggets hold a special place in many of our hearts. Those bite-sized pieces of breaded and fried chicken take us right back to childhood when nuggets were a regular feature on the family dinner table or a special treat during a night out.
As adults nuggets may not be an everyday dinner staple anymore but they remain an indulgent comfort food perfect for satisfying cravings and nostalgia. When only a frozen chicken nugget will do, it pays to know which brands and products truly deliver on taste and texture.
With so many options lining grocery store freezer sections these days, how do you know which frozen nuggets are worth your money? By turning to the experts of course!
I compared reviews and taste test findings from top food sites like Taste of Home, AllRecipes, and Today to see which frozen chicken nuggets come out on top. Here are the best frozen chicken nuggets according to food experts:
Perdue Simply Smart Organics Breaded Nuggets
Reviewers praise these organic nuggets for their crispy, golden exterior and tender, tasty chicken interior. The nuggets are made from minced chicken and have a mild flavor profile suited for kids’ palates. However, adults appreciate the high-quality texture and crunch factor. These nuggets are also gluten-free, making them a great option for anyone avoiding gluten.
Whole Foods 365 Crunchy Nuggets
You can count on Whole Foods’ store brand for quality, and their crunchy breaded nuggets don’t disappoint. Testers found these tasted the most natural and fresh, similar to homemade nuggets. There’s a satisfying crunch and plenty of chicken flavor. The mild flavor makes these ideal for kids, but adults love the quality and texture, too.
Banquet Chicken Nuggets
There are times when you just want a classic frozen nugget, and Banquet’s has them. Reviewers say this cheap option has a great umami flavor and a soft, juicy texture like fast food nuggets. The chunks are thin and uniformly shaped, and they have that familiar seasoned coating that nugget fans love. Put these tasty treats from the past in the oven for a hot and crunchy treat.
Just Bare Chicken Breast Chunks
Food experts agree these lightly breaded chunks are nearly identical to Chick-fil-A’s famous nuggets. Made from whole chicken breast pieces, these have actual chicken texture and flavor. There’s a satisfying crunch from the light, crispy batter coating. The premium quality comes through in every tender, juicy bite.
Tyson Naturals Gluten-Free Nuggets
Finding gluten-free nuggets with ultra-crispy coatings can be tough, but Tyson Naturals delivers. These browned panko-style chunks have spices like garlic and pepper baked right in. Reviewers rave about the crunchy texture and flavor packed into each bite. Made with minced chicken, these nuggets will satisfy any gluten-free eater.
Bell & Evans Breaded Nuggets
Fans of nuggets with less breading love these. Bell & Evans chunks are made from whole chicken breast pieces with just a light, crispy coating. You get juicy, meaty chicken flavor in every sizable bite. The focus stays on the quality chicken texture instead of the breading.
Perdue Dinosaur Shaped Nuggets
Perdue’s dinosaur shapes are fun when you need a little humor with your nuggets. These have the classic dinosaur shapes in a crunchy coating that kids will love. Reviewers say these are tender and tasty because they are made from good all-breast chicken. Kids love these because of their cute shapes, but adults also enjoy them because the chicken is tasty.
Applegate Organic Chicken Nuggets
If you want an organic nugget made from free-range chicken, Applegate is a great bet. These chunky nuggets are made from whole breast meat with a light, crispy breading. Testers found them juicy and said they had an appealing crunch. While on the chewy side, the chicken and coating flavors get rave reviews.
Trader Joe’s Breaded Chicken Nuggets
It’s easy to see why people are crazy about TJ’s frozen chicken nuggets. They get good reviews for having a satisfying crunch and a crispy outside, especially when cooked in an air fryer. The nuggets have a coating made of a mix of spices, such as garlic and onion powder. Testers thought they were some of the tastiest nuggets around.
Pilgrim’s Chicken Nuggets
Don’t forget about this basic frozen brand; their breaded nuggets are still good. Reviewers say that Pilgrim’s nuggets have a crispy, seasoned coating that is “nicely salted” and full of flavor. The chicken is juicy and tender, and it tastes like chicken. It’s clear why these are fun for both kids and adults.
Criteria for Judging the Best Frozen Chicken Nuggets
When evaluating store-bought frozen chicken nuggets, food experts consider several factors:
Coating – The ideal nugget has a coating that bakes up crispy, crunchy, and golden brown. Seasoning in the breading provides flavor.
Chicken Quality – Whole chicken pieces or minced chicken can both be used. Reviewers want moist, tender chicken with good flavor.
Overall Flavor – The coating and chicken should combine for delicious, crave-worthy flavor.
Special Diets – Having gluten-free and organic options expands the appeal.
Kid Appeal – Nuggets with fun shapes or mild flavors cater to kid preferences.
Price – Budget-friendly frozen nuggets have a place in the freezer alongside premium options.
Tips forCooking Frozen Chicken Nuggets
To get the best results from frozen chicken nuggets:
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Follow package instructions for baking temperature and time.
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Use a baking sheet for crispiest results. Line it with parchment for easy cleanup.
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Bake in a single layer, not overlapping, so they crisp up.
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Brush nuggets with a little oil for extra crispy coatings.
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Flip halfway through for even browning if needed.
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Finish under the broiler if they need extra browning.
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Bake an extra 1-2 minutes for very crispy nuggets.
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Air fry for crunchiest coatings, but follow package guidelines.
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Check for doneness at the minimum cooking time.
Match Made in Heaven: Best Dipping Sauces for Chicken Nuggets
Every good nugget needs an amazing sauce alongside for dunking. Here are ultimate dipping pairings:
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Honey mustard – The sweet tang is a classic nugget partner.
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BBQ sauce – Sweet, tangy, and lightly smoky, it’s an ideal nugget sauce.
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Ranch – Cool, creamy ranch perfectly balances hot nuggets.
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Chili sauce – Spicy and slightly sweet, it adds lots of flavor.
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Honey – For those who like things simple, you can’t beat warm honey.
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Sweet and sour sauce – It provides a bright pop of flavor.
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Marinara – For an Italian twist, go for marinara’s rich tomato flavor.
Don’t be afraid to get creative and make your own signature sauces, either. Blend ketchup, mayo, and sriracha for spicy fry dip, or whisk up fast honey mustard sauce.
Satisfy Your Inner Child with the Best Frozen Nuggets
Frozen chicken nuggets might seem like just a kids’ food, but plenty of adults secretly love their comforting flavor too. When only crispy, juicy nuggets will hit the spot, reach for highly rated products like Perdue Organic, Just Bare breaded chunks, or Tyson’s gluten-free options. With the right nuggets and dipping sauces, you can satisfy those childhood comfort food cravings in grown-up style.
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How We Taste-Tested the Chicken Nuggets
I cooked roughly a half dozen nuggets from each brand according to their package directions—all of them in the oven. I also tried each brand in an air fryer because some of them said that was the best way to make their nuggets crispy. Then my family taste-tested each nugget without any sauces and only some fresh chopped veggies for palate cleansing (my effort to count this taste test as a meal).
The tasting wasn’t truly blind because I had to keep track of the brands and cooking methods. However, I didnt take notice of which brands were gluten-free or air-chilled, or mentioned to anyone how long they took to cook or whether they used only breast meat pieces. The taste-testers were my 11-year-old, eight-year-old, 38-year-old partner, and me.
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How I Chose the Frozen Chicken Nuggets To Try
Set on trying as many brands of frozen nuggets as I could, I asked a few trusted friends (some parents and some not) for their recommendations. For this test, I chose to focus on nuggets or bites that are easy to find at grocery stores across the country. I visited Target, Whole Foods, Walmart, and Trader Joe’s in my nugget quest.
I didn’t discern between nuggets or bite-shaped but excluded popcorn chicken and strips. My food editor might not agree with me, but my younger taste-testers don’t like the shape of popcorn chicken or chicken strips as much because they have more breading.
Ranking Frozen Chicken Nuggets | Best with Babish
FAQ
What brands make the best frozen chicken nuggets?
Banquet’s frozen dinners are among the best you can find. A lot of them come with chicken nuggets. If chicken nuggets are your thing, skip the frozen dinners and head straight to Banquet Chicken Breast Nuggets. Nuggets like these are just as good as those you find as part of their frozen dinners.
What ingredients are in frozen chicken nuggets?
We only considered fully cooked frozen chicken nuggets in classic or kid-friendly shapes (like dinos), made of 100% chicken or a combination of chicken and plants, which could be cooked in the oven or microwave. This ruled out popcorn chicken, chicken “bites” of any kind, tenders and patties, and chicken nuggets designed for the air fryer.
How do you cook frozen chicken nuggets?
Almost every frozen nugget you buy at the store will tell you that it is fully cooked. In the case of Bell & Evans Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets, you should cook them until they reach 170 degrees in the middle. Another strange aspect of these nuggets is their thickness.
Are frozen chicken nuggets healthy?
Packed with high amounts of fat and calories, plus all kinds of unnecessary ingredients and fillers, breaded frozen chicken nuggets are a far cry from their lean protein counterpart. Like most other comfort foods, frozen chicken nuggets typically aren’t healthy or good for you—but that doesn’t mean you can never eat them!.
What is a good brand of frozen chicken nuggets?
The 12 Frozen Chicken Nuggets Contenders365 Whole Foods Market Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets. Applegate Naturals Chicken Nuggets. Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Bites. Banquet Chicken Breast Nuggets. Bell & Evans Frozen Chicken Nuggets. Good & Gather Chicken Breast Nuggets. Foster Farms Chicken Breast Nuggets.
What frozen chicken nuggets are closest to McDonald’s?
Pilgrim’s Pride brand Tempura Style Chicken Breast Nuggets are often cited as the closest frozen alternative to McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets.
What frozen chicken nuggets taste like Chick-Fil-A?
Several frozen chicken nuggets brands are often mentioned as having a taste similar to Chick-fil-A nuggets. Just Bare’s Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks, available at Costco, are a popular choice. Walmart’s Great Value Southern Style Chicken Bites are also frequently recommended by consumers.
Who has the best quality chicken nuggets fast food?
The Best Fast Food Chicken Nuggets, Ranked8th Place: Sonic Premium Chicken Bites. 7th Place: Burger King Nuggets. 6th Place: Wendy’s Crispy Chicken Nuggets. 5th Place: Shake Shack Chicken Bites. 4th Place: McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets. 3rd Place: Taco Bell Crispy Chicken Nuggets. 2nd Place: Chick-fil-A Nuggets.