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If you’re the parent of a picky eater, you’ve probably come to your wits’ end at getting your child to eat veggies. Sweetpotato Chicken Nuggets are the perfect baby chicken nuggets and are also geared towards picky eating toddlers. These healthy homemade chicken nuggets are ready in just 30 minutes!

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Please note that sweetpotatoes is spelled as one word throughout this article, which is the proper spelling. You can learn more here.

As a Registered Dietitian and mom myself, I am well aware of the challenges of feeding children. These sweetpotato chicken nuggets are one of my solutions for the kids who love only beige foods.

You know the routine – one day they like something, the next, they don’t. You don’t want to put too much pressure on your child at mealtime (we promote intuitive eating for kids), but you want them to become an adventurous eater!

That’s why I develop kid-friendly recipes – with veggies included, just like these chicken sweetpotato nuggets.

These baby chicken nuggets are even great as a first food – no egg or major allergens, and you can omit the breadcrumbs or use gluten-free if needed! Chicken for baby led weaning is absolutely safe, and a great source of iron, zinc, protein and more!

I love these baby nuggets because the Vitamin C from the sweetpotatoes helps with iron absorption. So, they are a perfect iron rich recipe for babies!

Stressed about feeding your baby?
Unsure what foods to offer?

Check out our baby led weaning ebook that has several recipes for every time of day and a sample feeding schedule!

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Why You’ll Love Sweetpotato Chicken Nuggets

• Great for babies – These baby chicken nuggets are a great baby led weaning recipe – all safe ingredients, plus extra healthy fats from the flax seeds. We love these as a one year old dinner idea!
• Great for picky eaters – These also work great as baked chicken nuggets for toddlers because they are a familiar food (chicken nuggets) that we’ve added nutrition too. I like to pair with my toddler’s favorite dip, like ketchup or ranch, for their comfort. And sweetpotatoes are one of the best veggies for babies.
• Ready in under 30 minutes – As a busy parent, I’m sure you need quick and healthy 30 minute meals, ready fast, and these kids chicken nuggets are just that (Many more available in my meal prep ebook!). Pair with some microwave broccoli, rice and their favorite dip!
• Can be made in the oven or air fryer – Depending on what you have available and your preference, you can make sweetpotato nuggets in either the oven or air fryer.

Gather Your 5 Ingredients

We’re keeping it minimal, but still making our veggie chicken nuggets very flavorful.

• ground chicken – You could also use ground turkey
• cooked sweetpotato flesh – Use the microwave to get this ready in just 5 minutes!
• ground flax seed – These provide essential healthy fats for baby’s growing brains!
• panko or breadcrumbs – Use gluten-free in a 1-1 replacement if you prefer.
• spices – I used garlic powder, salt and Italian seasoning, but you can omit any or all of these.

How to Make Sweetpotato Nuggets

First, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper and some cooking spray.

Combine all of the ingredients (except panko) in a large mixing bowl and gently mix, using a wooden spoon or your hands. Set the panko aside in a small bowl.

Then, form the dough into small bites or balls, about the size of 1 Tbsp (I like to use a cookie scooper) and place them on greased baking sheet.

Slightly flatten them with your hand into nugget shapes or your desired shape. 

Place the baking sheet in the oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Let your nuggets cool for 5-10 minutes and serve with your favorite dipping sauce, like ketchup, ranch, guacamole or even this honey mustard yogurt dressing.

If making in the air fryer, cook at 400 °F for 11-13 minutes, flipping halfway.

Servings 25 nuggets

Sweetpotato Chicken Nuggets

Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RDN

If you're the parent of a picky eater, you've probably come to your wits' end at getting your child to eat veggies. Sweetpotato Chicken Nuggets are the answer to your problem – For the kids who love chicken nuggets, we've added nutritionally-dense sweetpotatoes, which also add a natural sweetness. These nuggets are ready in just 20-25 minutes!

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 22 minutes mins

Total Time 32 minutes mins

Ingredients  

1x2x3x

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1 cup cooked sweetpotato flesh
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp italian seasoning
• 3 Tbsp ground flaxseed
• 3/4 cup plain panko or breadcrumbs* optional, will add a little crisp, but can omit for babies

Instructions 

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper and some cooking spray.
2. Combine all of the ingredients (except panko) in a large mixing bowl and gently mix, using a wooden spoon or your hands. Set the panko aside in a small bowl.
3. Form the dough into small bites or balls, about the size of 1 Tbsp (I like to use a cookie scooper) and dip each small ball of dough into the panko bowl before adding to the baking sheet. Repeat until all of the dough mixture is used.
4. Slightly flatten them with your hand into nugget shapes or your desired shape.
5. Place the baking sheet with uncooked nuggets in the oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. (Final nuggets should be cooked to 165°F., using a food thermometer)
6. Let nuggets cool for 5-10 minutes. Enjoy paired with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

*Use gluten-free panko or breadcrumbs if needed. 

 

To make in air fryer: Cook in air fryer at 400 degrees F, for 11-13 minutes, flipping once. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 43kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 4gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 74mgPotassium: 125mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.4gVitamin A: 756IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 0.3mg

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