Healthy Chicken Nuggets with Sriracha Ketchup

One of our favorite spots to watch the Kansas games in Denver, CO is at Stoney's.   Their array of dipping sauces is a large part that I keep going back.  My favorite is sriracha ketchup which I find myself putting on anything I can get my hands on.  I wanted to make a lighter version of chicken nuggets to go with sweet but spicy sauce.  These are incredibly easy and miraculously good for not being deep fried in batter.  Instead they are baked to a light crunchiness and inner juiciness! 

Ingredients:

-2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts

-2 eggs, egg whites only

-1/2-3/4 cup whole wheat bread crumbs

-1 tsp garlic powder

-1 tsp dried oregano

-1/2 tsp smoked paprika

-1 tsp Italian seasoning blend (or a mix of dried basil, thyme, sage)

-1/4 cup ketchup (4 Tbsp)

-1-3 Tbsp sriracha

Before I start the steps, check out my first 5x5 cooking video for this recipe. Basically, it's five, 5-second clips of the steps. If the sizzling of them coming out of the oven doesn't make you want a chicken nugget then I don't know what will!

First, preheat your oven to 425 degrees.  In a small bowl whisk together the two egg whites. 

Next, on a plate evenly spread the 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tsp of Italian seasoning.  If you don't have some of these spices and herbs, use what you have and/or what sounds good.

Next, cut your two chicken breasts into pieces about the size of chicken nuggets.  That IS what we're making after all. Season them with salt and pepper

Working with 2-3 nuggets at a time, coat in the egg whites, then roll in the bread crumb mixture and place on a baking sheet sprayed with non-stick spray. 

Bake in the oven at 425 for 8-10 minutes and then turn each nugget over.  Bake for another 5 minutes. Check to make sure the biggest nugget is cooked all the way through.  The center should be white and opaque, not pink and clear.  

To make the Sriracha Ketchup simply mix the two, using mostly ketchup.  I used about 4 Tbsp ketchup and 1 Tbsp Sriracha. My roommate, Annie, likes it even spicier so I think she did equals parts of both. 

These nuggets would be great for kids...or grown ups that want to eat a 6-piece Chicken Nugget from McDonalds every night but know the reality that would cause for your hips.  I think these would be great for a party as well..then you can't personally eat all 24 in one sitting. :)