Oven "Fried" Chicken Nuggets

So in our quest to lose weight and get healthier, I am always trying to come up with new ways to cook things we love to eat, but lighter, less fat/calories, and a nutritional bargain. I like fancy, complex food as much as any other foodie, but sometimes you just want some salty, crunchy chicken nuggets!

These are healthier for a number of reasons, first and foremost because they are baked and not fried. I use buttermilk because it's low in fat, it is far more flavorful than regular milk, keeps the chicken moist, its thickness helps bind the Panko without using egg, and it is a familiar flavor associated with traditionally fried chicken.

These are so yummy that my child who is sometimes iffy about meat ate a TON of them! This also doubles as a quick/easy/affordable weeknight meal for busy folks! Hope y'all enjoy!

2 large chicken breasts, trimmed
1 1/2 cups low fat buttermilk
1 tsp hot sauce
1 tsp dried chive
1 tsp dried dill
1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 cup grated parmesan
1 3/4 cups panko bread crumbs
1 1/2 tbsp chicken boullion powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp paprika

Mix together the buttermilk, hot sauce, dill, chives, and garlic powder and set aside to meld the flavors.

Cut the chicken breasts into 1 1/2 inch chunks and submerse in the buttermilk mixture. Allow to sit for 30 minutes at room temperature (if you are going to marinade longer, refrigerate). In the meantime, combine all the dry ingredients in a shallow dish and preheat the oven to 400º.

Once marinated, drain off as much buttermilk as you can from the chicken. (Too much buttermilk will keep the chicken from crisping up like it should in the oven) Dredge each chicken nugget in the dry mixture and place on a parchment lined baking sheet*. Be sure to really press it down into the chicken.

Bake at 400 until the chicken is cooked through- roughly 15 minutes.

*parchment paper is better than foil or the bare baking sheet because it will allow the chicken to crisp up on the bottom and keep it from sticking/losing the bottom coating.