This fun, shortcut Chicken Nugget Parmesan is perfect for nights when you need dinner fast. Just bake frozen chicken nuggets, top with marinara and cheese, and pop them back in the oven. Serve over spaghetti or with a side salad for a kid-friendly twist on the classic chicken Parmesan.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Super simple and fast - no dredging or deep-frying required.
- Minimal fuss - the freezer section does most of the work.
- Comfort food vibe - all the flavor of chicken parm in a fraction of the time.
- Family-friendly - picky eaters will dig the nuggets, and you'll love the ease.
- Great for leftovers - make 4 servings that can stretch into lunch or dinner again.
If you're working through my Dinner Rhythm Blueprint, this is an ideal Grace Night Meal. On busy nights this dish hits the sweet spot: quick, satisfying, and 100% doable.
Note from Andi
I used to avoid chicken parm because it felt too involved. The more times I tried making healthier, simpler versions, the more I realized that a dish doesn't need to be made from scratch to feel homemade and special.
If this is your first time using frozen nuggets in a recipe like this, embrace the simplicity. Use a nugget brand you already trust, pick your favorite sauce, and you've got dinner done.
Love more shortcut comfort-food recipes? Check out my quick Taco Casserole or this lighter Taco-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash.
Recipe Ingredients
- 24 frozen chicken nuggets
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Cooked spaghetti or noodles - for serving (optional)
Step-By-Step Instructions 👇👇
Step 1: Prepare the Nuggets
Preheat oven to 425 °F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Spread 24 frozen chicken nuggets in a single layer on the sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
👉 Air fryer option: Cook nuggets at 375 °F for 8-9 minutes, flipping halfway through.
👉 Toaster oven: Follow the same step on foil and bake at 425 °F for about 5 minutes until cheese is melty.
Step 2: Add Sauce and Cheese
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and flip the nuggets over. Keep the nuggets close together.
Now spoon about 1 cup marinara sauce over the nuggets, then top with 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Step 3: Bake Until Melty
Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 6 - 9 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling with golden edges.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Serve the chicken nugget Parmesan over cooked spaghetti or rice, or pair it with a bagged Caesar salad for a quick, family-friendly dinner.
Recipe Tips
- Use a rimmed baking sheet so any melted sauce or cheese stays contained.
- Use a spoon for the marinara so the sauce gets evenly distributed.
- Want more flavor? Sprinkle on Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes before baking.
- Add a side of roasted veggies or a spinach salad (or a store-bought bagged salad works great here too!) to round out the meal.
Variations & Substitutions
- Swap protein: You could try breaded chicken strips or burger patties instead of nuggets.
- Sauce switch: You could use spaghetti sauce, tomato-basil sauce, pizza sauce or even BBQ sauce.
- Cheese choices: Try this with cheddar, provolone, or an Italian blend instead of mozzarella.
- Slider version: Use Hawaiian rolls and add the nuggets inside for mini sandwiches.
Storing Leftovers
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Oven or air fryer works best to keep crispiness; microwave is okay in a pinch but may soften the nuggets.
- Freezer: Not ideal, once baked, nuggets tend to get soggy when frozen.
Make It a Dinner Rhythm Meal Plan
If you're following my Dinner Rhythm Blueprint, this nugget bake fits beautifully as a meal hack that stretches:
- Option 1: Serve fresh from the oven with sauce and cheese over spaghetti.
- Option 2: Reheat leftovers and scoop into wraps, tortillas or dinner rolls for an easy lunch.
- Option 3: Use any remaining nuggets as protein in a homemade Greek salad.
FAQs
Yes! You can bake or air fry your own breaded chicken pieces, then follow the same steps from adding marinara and cheese onward.
Absolutely. Cook the nuggets at 375°F for 8-9 minutes, flip them, add sauce and cheese, then air fry for another 3-4 minutes until the cheese melts and bubbles.
Any store-bought marinara works. Choose one that's lower in sugar and not too watery. A thick pizza sauce also works great here.
Yes. Provolone, cheddar, or an Italian blend all melt beautifully. Mozzarella gives that classic stretchy texture, but feel free to mix it up.
You can bake the nuggets in advance and refrigerate them. When ready to serve, add sauce and cheese, then bake for 5-8 minutes until hot and melty.
Use air-fried or baked chicken nuggets, part-skim mozzarella, and a no-sugar-added marinara. Serve with a salad or veggies instead of pasta.
Easy Chicken Nugget Parmesan Bake
Ingredients
- 24 frozen chicken nuggets
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Cooked spaghetti or rice - for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread 24 frozen chicken nuggets in a single layer and bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and flip each nugget.
- Spoon 1 cup marinara sauce evenly over the tops, then sprinkle with 1½ cups shredded mozzarella and ¼ cup Parmesan.
- Return to oven and bake for 6-9 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- For extra crispiness, broil 1 minute at the end, watching closely.
- Serve warm over cooked spaghetti or rice, or pair with a salad for a quick dinner idea.
Recipe Notes:
- Use a rimmed baking sheet to catch any melty cheese or sauce overflow.
- Any nuggets work: panko, homestyle, or air fryer-style.
- Don't overload with sauce-it can make nuggets soggy.
- Add Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
- Best served fresh, but leftovers reheat well in the oven or air fryer.
Nutrition Info
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and is per serving.
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