Check out my recipe for making Ninja Foodi Grill BBQ Chicken Nuggets using the grill function!
Chicken nuggets are so incredibly popular. But, if you're like me, you kind of wonder what's inside frozen chicken nuggets when you are eating them. Making your own chicken nuggets at home helps to ensure that you are eating...chicken...and nothing else! This recipe is for BBQ chicken nuggets that have been grilled using the Ninja Foodi Grill. There is no breading or any unknown ingredients.
This recipe was made using the Ninja® Foodi® Smart XL Pro Grill & Griddle, but any Ninja Foodi Grill can be used for this recipe.
I like to buy boneless skinless chicken breasts when they go on sale at the grocery store. I usually will buy them in bulk and then come home and package one or two breasts in a freezer bag and throw them in the freezer until I'm ready to use them. Separating the chicken out into smaller packages before freezing helps make dinner planning (or lack thereof) much easier!
I almost always buy boneless skinless chicken breasts. But, if you prefer you can use thighs for this recipe, just make sure that they are boneless and measure the temperature with the probe or instant-read thermometer.
While you can bake or roast chicken nuggets on a pan in the oven, I find that grilling them adds so much flavor and texture. THe bbq sauce carmelizes nicely and adds a bit of a crispy texture to the perfectly tender and juicy chicken "nuggets." If you don't want to use bbq sauce, you can use any other sauce that you would like. You could even switch things up and add teriyaki sauce or soy sauce to add a totally different flavor!
Tips for making Ninja Foodi Grill BBQ Chicken Nuggets
Traditional chicken nuggets that are frozen and breaded, cook up really nicely if you air fry them. For air fryer chicken nuggets, just add the nuggets to the air fryer basket, lightly spray the nuggets, and air crisp until hot and crispy. For bbq chicken nuggets, using fresh chicken, the grill function is the best option if you are using an indoor grill!
Whenever you are grilling chicken, you need to use a probe or thermometer to check for the internal temperature. Because chicken varies in size and thickness, there is no rule of how long you should cook chicken. Instead, cook chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Serve chicken nuggets with mac and cheese, french fries, potato salad, green beans, corn on the cob, or any of your favorite side dishes! BBQ chicken nuggets are really good on top of a salad or in a wrap too!
Yes! Preheating is important! If you don't preheat the grill, you will be cooking on a cold surface. Make sure that you fully preheat the grill before adding food. If you don't preheat, you won't get any grill marks and the food will not have the grilled flavor that we are going for.
Usually, if the Ninja Foodi Grill is producing a lot of smoke, it's because something is burning. In most cases, there is something on the grill that has a higher sugar content like bbq sauce or a low smoke point oil or butter. While there is a fan inside of the unit to help with this, it's best to avoid adding high-sugar or low-smoke oils until the very end of the cooking cycle. For example, when making chicken wings, if you add the sauce at the beginning of the cooking time, the sauce will burn and produce a lot of smoke. If you wait until the very end to coat the wings, less smoke will be produced because the sauce is cooking for a shorter period of time.
Yes! You can. Just be careful what you are using in the marinade as you don't want it to burn on the grill. Things like brown sugar and honey should be avoided as they will burn quickly on the grill. To marinate chicken nuggets add all your marinade spices to a medium bowl and cover for anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours in the refrigerator. When ready to grill, remove the chicken from the bowl and grill as directed.
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What you'll need to make Ninja Foodi Grill BBQ Chicken Nuggets:
Ingredient substitutions and tips for making Ninja Foodi Grill BBQ Chicken Nuggets:
The full ingredient list is found at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.
Chicken Breasts- I prefer to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I cut them into 1-inch chunks before cooking. To save time, you can use raw chicken tenders and cut them into smaller pieces. If preferred, you can use chicken thighs- just make sure they are boneless. The cooking time may vary if using different cuts of chicken. Use the probe or instant-read meat thermometer to make sure the chicken is cooked throughout.
Salt and Black Pepper- I prefer to freshly grind both my salt and pepper, but you can use whatever kind you have on hand. Also, you can use flavored seasoning salts to add more flavor.
Avocado Oil- Any oil that is non-aerosol and that does not contain lecithin can be used. Olive Oil or canola oil are good substitutes and are easily found in non-aerosol form at the grocery store.
Barbeque Sauce- Choose your favorite barbecue sauce. I usually have Sweet Baby Ray's in the pantry, but you can use any type of bbq sauce that you would like...even homemade! There are so many varieties of bbq sauces out there. Choose from sweet and spicy, tangy, or even honey bbq sauce.
Steps for making Ninja Foodi Grill BBQ Chicken Nuggets:
Directions for making Ninja Foodi Grill BBQ Chicken Nuggets:
1. Cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes and season with salt and pepper.
Using the Smart Ninja Foodi Grill
1. Turn the Ninja Foodi Grill "ON."
2. If you have the Smart Ninja Foodi Grill, insert the probe into a piece of the chicken and choose the "GRILL" option. Push the "PRESET" button and turn the dial until it reads "CHICKEN." Press "DONENESS" and turn the dial until it reads "WELL."
3. Push "START" and close the lid. The Ninja Foodi Grill will start to "PREHEAT."
4. Once preheated and the grill says "ADD FOOD," open the lid and lightly spray the grill plate with avocado oil.
5. Add the chicken. Since the chicken is cut into small pieces, it will cook quickly and will be flipped quickly. For this reason, I leave the lid open while cooking.
6. After about 4 minutes, or when the Ninja Foodi Grill says "FLIP" (whichever is sooner), flip the chicken.
7. Cook for about 3 minutes and then brush with sauce. Once the sauce is added, flip the chicken several times to fully coat all sides of the chicken. Continue to cook until the Ninja Foodi Grill says "GET FOOD." Plate chicken and serve with barbeque sauce to dip in.
Using an Instant Read Thermometer
1. Turn the Ninja Foodi Grill "ON."
2. If your grill does not have the Smart feature, push the "FUNCTION" option and turn the dial until it is on "GRILL." Push the"TEMP" button and choose "HIGH." Push the "TIME" button and choose 8 minutes.
3. Push "START" and close the lid. The Ninja Foodi Grill will start to "PREHEAT."
4. Once preheated and the grill says "ADD FOOD," open the lid and lightly spray the grill plate with avocado oil.
5. Add the chicken. Since the chicken is cut into small pieces, it will cook quickly and will be flipped quickly. For this reason, I leave the lid open while cooking.
6. Flip the chicken after 4 minutes.
7. Cook for about 3 minutes and then add sauce. Once the sauce is added, flip the chicken several times to fully coat all sides of the chicken. Continue to cook until the internal temperature of the chicken is at 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Plate chicken and serve with barbeque sauce to dip in.
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Ninja Foodi Grill BBQ Chicken Nuggets
Rate this Recipe Print Recipe Pin RecipeEquipment
- Silicone Tongs
Ingredients
- 2 Chicken Breasts (Large-Boneless and Skinless- Cut into 1 inch cubes)
- Pinch Salt
- Pinch Pepper
- Avocado Oil
- 2 Tablespoons Barbeque Sauce
Instructions
- Cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes and season with salt and pepper.
Using the Smart Ninja Foodi Grill
- Turn the Ninja Foodi Grill "ON."
- If you have the Smart Ninja Foodi Grill, insert the probe into a piece of the chicken and choose the "GRILL" option. Push the "PRESET" button and turn the dial until it reads "CHICKEN." Press "DONENESS" and turn the dial until it reads "WELL."
- Push "START" and close the lid. The Ninja Foodi Grill will start to "PREHEAT."
- Once preheated and the grill says "ADD FOOD," open the lid and lightly spray the grill plate with avocado oil.
- Add the chicken. Since the chicken is cut into small pieces, it will cook quickly and will be flipped quickly. For this reason, I leave the lid open while cooking.
- After about 4 minutes, or when the Ninja Foodi Grill says "FLIP" (whichever is sooner), flip the chicken.
- Cook for about 3 minutes and then add sauce. Once the sauce is added, flip the chicken several times to fully coat all sides of the chicken. Continue to cook until the Ninja Foodi Grill says "GET FOOD." Plate chicken and serve with barbeque sauce to dip in.
Using an Instant Read Thermometer
- Turn the Ninja Foodi Grill "ON."
- If your grill does not have the Smart feature, push the "FUNCTION" option and turn the dial until it is on "GRILL." Push the"TEMP" button and choose "HIGH." Push the "TIME" button and choose 8 minutes.
- Push "START" and close the lid. The Ninja Foodi Grill will start to "PREHEAT."
- Once preheated and the grill says "ADD FOOD," open the lid and lightly spray the grill plate with avocado oil.
- Add the chicken. Since the chicken is cut into small pieces, it will cook quickly and will be flipped quickly. For this reason, I leave the lid open while cooking.
- Flip the chicken after 4 minutes.
- Cook for about 3 minutes and then add sauce. Once the sauce is added, flip the chicken several times to fully coat all sides of the chicken. Continue to cook until the internal temperature of the chicken is at 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Plate chicken and serve with barbeque sauce to dip in.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only.
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