These Sweet Potato Chicken Nuggets are baked until golden and packed with flavor. They are a healthy, kid-friendly dinner made with simple ingredients, and they happen to be Whole30 and Paleo too.
Sweet Potato Chicken Nuggets
If you are looking for a healthier homemade nugget recipe that still tastes like something your family will actually want to eat, these sweet potato chicken nuggets are the answer.
They are tender on the inside, lightly crisp around the edges, and packed with savory flavor with just a little natural sweetness from the shredded sweet potato. It is one of those easy weeknight dinners that feels wholesome without being boring.
Another reason I love this recipe is that it works for everybody at the table. These baked chicken nuggets are Whole30 and Paleo, but they are also super kid-friendly, which means you do not have to make one dinner for yourself and another one for everybody else. That alone deserves a little applause.
Why You’ll Love These Sweet Potato Chicken Nuggets
- They are baked, not fried
- Made with simple, real-food ingredients
- Whole30 and Paleo friendly
- Great for kids and adults
- Perfect for meal prep or easy weeknight dinners
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe comes together with a handful of simple ingredients:
- Ground chicken, for a tender and juicy nugget base
- Sweet potato, shredded, for moisture and a touch of natural sweetness
- Coconut flour, to help bind the mixture
- Coconut oil, for richness and moisture
- Spices, to bring everything to life
That is it. No breadcrumbs, no flour coating, and no complicated steps.
How To Make Sweet Potato Chicken Nuggets
Making these sweet potato chicken nuggets is super simple. You just mix everything in one large bowl until combined.
Then shape the mixture into small nugget-sized pieces and place them on a prepared sheet pan.
Bake until cooked through and lightly golden on the outside.
The best part is the smell when they come out of the oven. They are savory, cozy, and so good that everybody suddenly appears in the kitchen asking when dinner will be ready, even if they were “not hungry” five minutes ago.
Tips For Success
- Shred the sweet potato finely so it mixes easily into the chicken
- Do not overmix, or the nuggets can become dense
- Use a parchment-lined baking sheet for easier cleanup
- Shape them evenly, so they bake at the same rate
- Serve right away for the best texture
What To Serve With Them
I love serving these with guacamole, which keeps the meal Paleo and Whole30 friendly. A crisp green salad is also great if you want to balance the natural sweetness of the sweet potato.
You can also pair them with roasted vegetables, fruit, or your favorite dipping sauce, depending on who is sitting at your table.
Are These Healthy Chicken Nuggets?
Yes, these sweet potato chicken nuggets are a healthier twist on classic nuggets because they are baked and made with simple ingredients. They skip the traditional breadcrumbs, flour, and deep frying, but still deliver plenty of flavor and a satisfying texture.
They are one of my favorite ways to make a homemade chicken nugget dinner feel a little more wholesome without anybody complaining. That is always the dream, right?
I hope you give these delicious Sweet Potato Chicken Nuggets a try. If you make them, tag me on Instagram @LivingSweetMoments so I can see your version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make sweet potato chicken nuggets ahead of time?
Yes. You can shape the nuggets ahead of time and refrigerate them until ready to bake. You can also bake them in advance and reheat before serving.
Can I freeze sweet potato chicken nuggets?
Yes. Let the cooked nuggets cool completely, then freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Reheat in the oven until warmed through.
Are these sweet potato chicken nuggets Whole30 and Paleo?
Yes. These baked sweet potato chicken nuggets are made with simple ingredients and are both Whole30 and Paleo-friendly.
Why is my chicken nugget mixture too wet?
The mixture should be moist but still hold together when pressed. If it feels too wet, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of coconut flour. Finely shredding the sweet potato also helps the mixture bind better.
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground chicken?
Yes. Ground turkey can be used instead of ground chicken in this recipe. The texture may be slightly different, but it still works well.
Sweet Potato Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 cups finely shredded sweet potato about 2-3 sweet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons coconut flour
- 2 green onion sprigs finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside
- In a large bowl, add all ingredients and mix with your hands until fully combined. The mixture should be moist but hold together when pressed.
- Using a tablespoon or small scoop, portion the mixture and shape into nuggets about 1/2-inch thick. Place on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 24–27 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Nuggets are done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Allow nuggets to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving
Notes
- Make sure to finely shred the sweet potato, so it blends evenly into the chicken
- If the mixture feels too wet, add 1–2 teaspoons of coconut flour
- Do not overpack the nuggets or they may turn dense
- These are soft and tender inside, not crispy like fried nuggets
- Serve immediately for the best texture
Nutrition
More Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes
Instant Pot Orange Chicken
Quick Chicken Teriyaki Rice Bowls
Slow Cooker Chicken And Black Beans
Hi1 I am so excited to try these out on my family – I have some monster sweet potatoes from the farmers market that I need to use up. I have a quick question – Do you shred the sweet potato raw (like w a box grater) or do you bake the sweet potato, then mix the soft sweet potato with the other ingredients? In the recipe, it sounds like the former, but in the picture, it looks like the latter. Thanks for the clarification!
Hi Julie, I shred it raw with a box grater. Then mix! Hope that helps
I can’t wait to try these with my 5 year old! Can I make a large batch and freeze these?
Yes, you can make in advance and freeze!
Do you freeze raw? Do you defrost before heating?
I freeze them raw and they go directly to the oven (no defrosting)
These are delicious! Thank you for sharing! I made them up for my 1 year old and she loves them!
Glad you and your 1-year-old liked them!
Hey there! Do you think I could substitute whole wheat flour for the coconut flour? I know it wouldn’t be paleo then, but I don’t have coconut flour and I want to try them tonight!!
I haven’t tried it with coconut flour but if you do, let us know if it worked!
Is there any way to make these with no flour(as in no nut flours or coconut flour, etc) ?
Yes, but honestly I haven’t tried it with other flour. If you do let me know how they come out
Hey just curious where the actual recipe went?
Sorry Amanda! there’s a glitch in the software I am on the process of fixing it!
Hi! Have you ever cooked and frozen these (rather than frozen them raw)?
I have not because I am afraid of the final texture. If you do, please let me know how they come out
Could I make these with cooked mashed sweet potato. I baked mine before fully reading the recipe
They texture will be off
I made these today my 1 year old and they were at HIT! My husband tried them and also loved them… he “hates” sweet potato and I haven’t had the heart to tell him, and don’t know if I ever will 🙂
hahhahaha Stacy! Glad your baby and your husband enjoyed them!
These are absolutely delicious. I used my food processor to grind my own chicken because it’s not easy getting to the store these days. I also used white flour without any issues. I think they could be amazing in burger form too.! Thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome Cassandra! glad you enjoyed them! Great idea on the burger shape, will definitely try it!
These are awesome! Never feeding my kids those gross foster farm frozen chicken nuggets again!
yay!! thanks for your feedback! glad your kids loved them!