Here's how to cook chicken, quinoa and broccoli nuggets for your fussy kids
Author of "One Handed Cooks" is here to help.
By Bianca M
September 16 2019
In our brand new weekly video series, "Feeds for Fussy Kids", author of "One-Handed Cooks" Allie Gaunt is back with a special recipe that kids will adore! Chicken nuggets.
However, these aren't your typical nuggets. Instead, Allie finds a way to hide all the nutrients of quinoa and broccoli in the mix, without kids ever knowing the difference.
"Today we’re making ‘Quinoa, chicken and broccoli nuggets’" says Allie. "They’re super nutritious and super yum."
WATCH: Allie Gaunt walks you through the simple yet amazingly delicious recipe for her healthy chicken nuggets that your kids will be obsessed with:
"I have a few friends whose babies are allergic to gluten, so I did a bit of research and discovered - quinoa.
"It has so many nutritional qualities your child will benefit from and it’s easy to digest and low in allergens so you can introduce it to your baby early."
After explaining how to make the recipe (which will be explained below), Allie instructs one extra fun step - using your hands!
"Create tablespoon-sized balls about 1 cm thick. Dip this into the breadcrumbs and place the balls on your baking tray. Very gently squash to flatten them into a nugget shape.
"If you like you can brush them with melted butter."
"You and your children will love this, you can also serve it to your toddler with a side of mandarin and corn."
See below for the full recipe.
Ingredients
- ½ cup of water
- ¼ cup quinoa (white grain)
- 500g chicken mince (or finely chopped chicken)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (packet, fresh or gluten-free)
- 1 tsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- ½ tsp fresh thyme
- ½ cup finely grated cheese
- ½ cup cooked broccoli
- 3 tbs butter, melted (optional)
Method
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 200°C and line a tray with baking paper. -
Step 2
In a small saucepan bring water and quinoa to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat but leave the saucepan on the hot plate for another 5 - 10 minutes. Remove the lid, fluff with a fork, and set aside to cool. -
Step 3
In a medium bowl, combine the minced chicken, quinoa, and broccoli. Mix to combine. In a separate bowl combine the breadcrumbs, cheese and herbs. -
Step 4
Using your hands, create tablespoon-sized balls (1 cm thick) and dip in the breadcrumbs. Place the balls on the baking tray and gently squash to flatten into a nugget shape. Brush with butter (if using). -
Step 5
Bake for 10 - 15 minutes, then turn each nugget and bake for a further 10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and nuggets are brown.