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Cilantro Chicken Nuggets
PIN THIS RECIPE!These are like chicken nuggets for grown ups. Pure genius.
I’m totes in Boston right now. And it’s hot as balls. After sitting on the airplane next to a man that smelled as though he hadn’t flossed his teeth in 8 years, for about 4 hours, then entering the humid air….I smelled AWESOME. I literally kept smelling myself in fear that people would think I actually smell like that man. That my usual stench is old man. Not that I usually smell good, but still, better than leftover-food-pushed-into-your-gums smell. Ew. I’m grossing myself out at this point.
It really is fantastic here though. I wouldn’t mind living here. It’s very humid. My skin is happy. But the city is a bit too high maintenance for me. Everyone wears suits here. I was just lil ole’ Colorado JB that had on my IWOD shirt from Renegade Fitness. Most comfy shirt ever, so I will wear it no matter where I am. Not sure I totally fit in….AND you have to pay for parking EVERYWHERE you go. Even when we went to Whole Foods. Yep, pay the parking piper.
Anywho. Guess what I did?! I joined a kickball league!! Yep. I did it! Ball sports aren’t really my thing…like at all. I didn’t play sports growing up. Such a shame. Gravity wouldn’t have been able to take control so much if I had been jumping and sprinting on a regular basis. Damn you stubborn and frightened teenage JB. Damn you. Anywho, the men that fill our kickball league are pretty damn good looking. Mmmmm hmmmm. I love kickball.
I hate when people don’t clean out their ears. So gross.
Boston has the prettiest trees in the world. What are those trees with the gorgeous pinkish flowers? I thought about jumping out of my friend’s car and picking one, but then thought twice about how I would look. And then thought about what the hell I would do with a dead flower. If I ever actually get a date or date a man at some point in my life, and he buys me flowers, disappointment will ensue. Wasting money on something that will not benefit my life in some way is dumb. A gift card to Whole Foods to prove his affection for me….now that’s how I know I’ve found the right man.
PrintCilantro Chicken Nuggets
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 1x
Ingredients
For the nuggets
- 1lb ground chicken or ground turkey
- 1 egg, whisked
- 1 bundle of cilantro, chopped (the more, the better!)
- 3 scallions, chopped
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1/2 cup Coconut Flour
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1–2 tablespoons Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil
For the dipping sauce
- 1/4 cup Coconut Aminos
- 1/8 cup white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon ground stone mustard (from the bottle/container-not powder)
- 1 teaspoon Raw Honey
Instructions
- Mix all of your nugget ingredients together: ground chicken, egg, cilantro, scallions, sesame oil, ginger, and salt and pepper.
- Now heat up a large skillet under medium heat and add 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil.
- Place your coconut flour in a shallow bowl.
- Make small balls from your nugget mixture, “nugget sized” and place each nugget in the coconut flour (being sure to only lightly dust the nuggets) then place in your skillet.
- Use a spatula to slightly flatten out each nugget. It only needs just a little press down.
- Cook on both sides for 5-7 minutes or until cooked through.
- While your nuggets cook, mix your dipping sauce ingredients together.
- Once your nuggets are done cooking, dip those little guys in the sauce and eat those grown up nuggets up!
Oh, Hi! I’m Juli.
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110 thoughts on “Cilantro Chicken Nuggets”
I thought it was only me who is always sat next to odd people on long plane trips! At least he wasn’t overweight and spilling out onto your seat too!
Ehhhhhhh I wouldn’t say that Suz lol
The world needs to enforce a scent free policy that not only includes offensive perfumes and colognes, but bad breathe and B.O as well. Also? A hygiene policy should be enforced by the airlines. If I can’t play my Ipod during take off, you cannot be smelling foul whilst next to me.
Nuggets? Look delicious. Now I’m hungry and it’s too late too cook. Damn.
Agreed Melissa. Damn smelly people
Magnolias! All of the Magnolia trees in Boston are in bloom! Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Thanks Rachel! So gorgeous!
good recipe, welcome to my neck of the woods.
Thanks Alex!
Thank you for posting all these recipes. I’ve made several, and they are so tasty.
Totally off topic, do you have any tips for doing pull-ups when your arms are the circumference of a shower curtain rod? I don’t see how these sticks are ever going to pull up 140 lbs of meatbag!
It’s just going to take something time, you have longer muscles so u can maybe be even stronger than most!! right?! right!
Juli – sorry about the experience! Wish it was legal to Fabreze the heck out of that guy but alas! We are not that fortunate. On your way back, buy one of those hospital-type masks and do some fake coughs here and there so no one will sit next by you 😉
On another note, the ginger – is that powdered or the real thing? 🙂
Powdered ginger!
LOL maybe because I’m Asian but “powdered ginger” just doesnt sound right to me so I end up using the real thing and just “eyeballed” the measurement since I think the real thing is more potent.
Anyway, I made these first using ground up chicken and it was good and the second time around I used ground turkey – I think I prefer turkey because it seems more moist to me but then again I up’d up the sesame oil to 1 1/2 tbsp. Either way though these are the BOMB and you are the BOMB-master! 😉
★★★★★
Lol I understand Evangeline. Glad you liked the recipe! Turkey is definitely delicious for that!
Juli- I want to try these super bad. They look tasty. I am also extremely grossed out by ear wax. *barf* I received my paleOMG tank in the mail yesterday and was so stoked to wear it to my box yesterday. I love it. Super comfy. We just started a paleo challenge so I’ve been telling everyone about your site. You rock!
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YAY!! Ur amazing! Thank u!
I grew up right outside of boston and miss it dearly. Hope to live there someday possibly. Hope you’re having a fun trip so far!
Thanks Katie! It’s been great! Gorgeous weather!
Looks yummy and will be on the menu this weekend! (side note – did you take a plate with you on your trip or pre-photograph this? It looks just like the other ones you have used before! Yes, I look at things like that, presentation/ feel of all the senses is how I envelope myself when eating a meal 🙂
I love u for noticing! I cooked everything Tuesday and took pictures before I left so I would have this ready for u guys!
This is exactly what I needed to use up a big ol bunch of cilantro in the fridge.
I’m so making these today!
Thanks 🙂
Hope u like them!
ZOMG!! chicken nuggets… Its just like McDonalds… minus the cancer… and urge to puke… and scary people.
EXACTLY!!
Just for your knowledge- in a recent article I read in some magazine (or my friend sent me… I can’t remember which), Boston is the number 1 worst city for single females (apparently it is a bad ratio of men to women and the men suck…)lol. DC, on the other hand is number 1.
Thought you’d be interested in knowing that 😉
PS- I’m so completely obsessed with your blog it is not even funny.
Lol ok i won’t move here. Where to move…where to move
I will need to try this with another herb…i despise cilantro, takes like dish soap to me. Any other herbs you would use in this recipe?
Hmmmm parsley?
I love making these with parsley!
no … everyone says “soap,” but it’s NOT soap … it’s Clorox…. cilantro smells like Clorox! but I have to admit… i love it!
what?! you people are high
I’m making these tonight, and can’t wait – they look delish! But I just wanted to weigh in on the cilantro tasting like soap thing…it’s actually a physical trait. There are two different specific ways your taste buds responsible for cilantro tasting can be shaped, and if you’ve got the one shape then cilantro is delicious and refreshing while if you’ve got the other it tastes like soap!
Thanks for the recipe! I’m making these right now and the first batch is awesome!! Gonna eat them for dinner with steamed garlic and kale for dinner at work tonight!
hope you love them!!
Made these last night (with bison instead) and they were amazing! Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
glad they still turned out delish!
Made these little guys up for dinner tonight, and as always, IMPRESSIVE 🙂 i love cilantro and would put it in absolutely everything, so this was right up my alley… thanks again for another wonderful dinner JB 🙂
glad you liked it Dannielle!!
I made these for dinner last night and we all LOVED them! You are one super, fantastic smart gal. Thanks for sharing with the rest of us!
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Thank you so so much Margaret! Glad you liked the nugs!
you’ll love kickball.. besides crossfit, its one of best things i have done. you’ll meet a lot of cool peeps.
I definitely do love it, it’s so so fun!!
These were fantastic! Can’t wait to see what my hubby thinks of them! That is if I leave any for him! 😉
★★★★★
Hope he liked them!
Just made these! Absolutely wonderful! I was a total idiot, and mixed the coconut flour in with the meat mixture, so after a mild swearing fit, I cooked these up, and they still turned out to be delicious! Thank you for the recipe/website!
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Glad to know they still workout that way!! Thanks for the comment!
simply a-ma-zing!!! cilantro is absolutely the best and takes just about anything to the next level. but, the flavor of the sesame oil and cilantro is sooo good. and its really nice to have the texture from the coconut flour. thanks for the recipe and keep ’em coming!
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Glad you liked it!!
Hi! So I love your blog and I’ve tried out some of the recipes and they are AWESOME so thank you for that…but I need someone’s help and who better than you right?! Okay so I def know I need to be eating more healthy fats… i have a really fast metabolism & because of my inadequate fat-eating..I get hungry way too fast after a meal (usually)…. so problem is, I’m allergic to most nuts (except cashews) and avocados… I know right? FAIL. any suggestions? coconut milk? idk? anything? help! THANKS! 🙂
Have you tried any coconut products? Coconut flakes, coconut butter, coconut oil, and coconut milk?
Ahh, I haven’t yet… snacking on raw coconut flakes and using the butter/oil/milk to cook with? Obviously not all at once, but, yeah.
I think I might have to jump on the coconut bandwagon…?
Just do it, do it
Will give it a try, thank you! 🙂
Made this deliciousness tonight with turkey meat and baked broccoli on the side! Loved them! Thank you Juli! 🙂
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Glad you liked them!
there are super yummy…and that was without the ginger and sesame oil (distracted by my daughters homework)…plus I had to sub green onions for the scallions because apparently they don’t sell them here. Still good…can’t wait to try them with the right recipe! The dipping sauce is yummy! These are very versatile.
Hey Juli! Great meal!! Two Things: I am not a fan of cilantro, tastes like I’m eating pennies, but wrap meat around it and I like it. second coconut oil is f’n expensive!!! I had to take a loan out to buy it. But it added a great flavor I was not familiar with. Overall great!!!
Lol it will last you a while so don’t u worry, you’ll be able to pay that loan off
these definitely hit the spot. thanks Juli!
★★★★
glad you liked the Chika!!
If you’re still in Boston, you’re always welcome at CF south central!
Thanks so much Shaz, already gone but hopefully back someday!!
This is a really great recipe, even closer to the real thing than I expected!
★★★★
Yay!! Glad you liked them Brendell!
I love these things! The dipping sauce is so yummy i just use it as a marinade for all kinds of things these days.
I didn’t want to fry these this time around but I followed the basic recipe but i subbed parsley for cilantro and green onions for scallions. I didn’t use the coconut flour or oil and I grilled instead. Those are good for dipping too…however, the next day I put three of the grilled pattys in a stir fry of:
julienned yellow and green zucchini and a chopped up mix of cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, and broccoli and poured the dipping sauce over it. Delish!
I made these today for the second time in two weeks. They are awesome! I left the flour out this time and blended a sweet onion in the food processor. I thought about baking them, but will try grilling too. Thanks Juli….keep up the great work.
These were really good! My husband is not a fan of coconut, so I’m always looking for primal recipes where the coconut flavor isn’t dominant, and these were just the trick. I personally thought they would be better with half the amount of sesame oil, but I find sesame oil to be a pretty strong flavor. The sauce was really good, too.
★★★★
I just finished making these and they are very yummy. I added about 1/2 cup almond meal to this recipe to make it easier to handle the mixture, as it was too moist. Also, I didn’t have scallions, so I used finely chopped minced onions.
Did not make the sauce as these nuggets tasted wonderfully without it. My kids (8 & 11 yrs old) loved this recipe, too. But, we are big cilantro fans!
Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
ok i just made these now and the coconut flour was too dry for me! It soaked up all the chicken juice. So for the remainder of my batch I used almond flour instead – Way tastier! N0w they taste like real fried chicken! great recipe though – cilantro + Scallions were a perfect combo!
I made these last week. They were delicious! I made them with ground turkey. I did not make the sauce. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Does anyone have a good substitute for the coconut aminos for the sauce? I plan to order some online — but in the meantime… I have all the ingredients for the nuggets and wanted to whip them up tonight for dinner… but I’m not sure how to concoct a suitable dipping sauce (I guess worse case, I can dip them in some Frank’s Hot Sauce and have little buffalo nuggets, lol)
These are my favorite and so yummy! Even my 13 month old loves them! Thanks for sharing all your delicious recipes!
These look great. But I have a question: is sesame oil completely paleo? I have read some mixed reviews and just want clarification..
I love that you prefer a gcard to whole foods over flowers. This past v-day I was dating a guy (from xfit) and I was hoping he would “get me” enough to know lululemon would have been the perfect gift. Nope! Instead I got flowers 🙁
I made these tonight and they are freaking amazing! This is definitely my new favorite recipe. Thank you SO much!!
★★★★★
holy hell…. so good. We are making these for the third time today.
★★★★★
I just made these for dinner with brussel sprouts. This is by far the most incredible chicken I’ve ever tasted. Thank you for the recipe!!! (I didn’t have ginger and I didn’t make the sauce, but they were still so good!!!!)
★★★★★
Big fan of your recipes. Although for this one, I found that when I made the nuggets larger, with all the scallions and cilantro, it left my mouth feeling kind of dry, even with the sauce (which was AMAZING by the way). I think being very light-handed with the coco flour is very key, which was something I think I failed at.
Anyways, big thanks and keep ’em coming!
★★★★
So yummy. I used ground flax seed instead of the coconut flour and it was still great!
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this is probably a stupid question but when you say 1/4 tsp of ginger, is that like ground ginger?
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yes it is 🙂 not stupid at all!
Made this on the weekend. My boyfriend told me it was the best thing I ever made him! Hurrah!
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These were amazeballs. Thank you for posting the recipe! I dipped it in guacamole which was dynamite. And I love your blog/website.
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I made these with fresh spinach in place of the cilantro and they turned out amazing. What I did notice though was that even though I lightly sprinkled the coconut flour on each on, I could still taste it when they were finished – almost like it didn’t cook enough. I used ghee and coconut oil on my skillet when I cooked them but I’m thinking I may not have cooked them long enough? Not sure…
try mixing in some garlic powder and salt with the coconut flour next time to help with the coconut taste
Wow. I had chicken nuggets. And I feel really, really good about it. YES.
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All I can say is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!
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Is mouthgasm a word? Well, it should be after having these. 🙂 Great recipe, Juli! And btw, you must be super-talented at finely chopping cilentro. I only used half of what you recommended and I could see it just as much as I can in yours. Ninja knife skills, FTW!
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These are amazing and easy to make!!!
★★★★★
holyCOW. (or holyTURKEY ‘cuz that’s what i used for meat). these are phenomenal!!!! best nuggets EVER, even better than my mom’s. ok, that’s a lie. nothing is better than my mom’s. but these are second. i love them. thank you.
p.s. for those lacking ninjaknifeskills, cut the cilantro with scissors ~ i just folded the stems in half and snipped away, stem, leaves, all of it.
ps2: forgot to rate the recipe. oops.
★★★★★
These are awesome! Would like to know yield, serving size & calories if you have it. Thanks 🙂
no clue
I made these tonight and my 7 year old daughter ate 6 of them (she doesn’t like honey…odd little girl so no sauce) We loved them. She thought they tasted like gyozas and since we haven’t been able to eat them…THANK YOU!
★★★★★
I made these for my husband, a pretty picky eater, & he loved them! I’m not the best cook, but I had no problem with this recipe. It was so easy! Thanks for th great recipe.
I just tried this recipe ad it was AMAZING (duh). Instead of coating them in coconut flour, I used shredded coconut which gave it an awesome crunch! I must say, I was kind of timid about going paleo, thinking I’d be giving up so much food but I have had so much fun looking over and cooking (and eating, of course) your recipes! I don’t think I could ever go back to all that awful stuff I ate before!
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these were awesome! even my non paleo and very picky husband ate them!
Hey Juli, my wife is a big fan of your site, and we both like your sense of humor. Anyway, I just made (tonight) something similar to these, but more elongated instead of nugget-shaped. This is somewhat like an Armenian dish called “loola kebab” which my grandmother used to make — you could use any ground meat (beef, lamb is good and truer to middle eastern cooking) or a combination. So simple and really awesome, no dipping sauce required, just the natural juices!
Just made these today. My husband said they tasted like the inside of a dumpling. We both loved them. Just had to let you know! Thanks so much for your great recipes!
★★★★★
I add mayo to the dipping sauce and use it for a dipping sauce for these Asian wings. .Awesome!
http://everydaypaleo.com/sneak-peak-recipe-from-the-everyday-paleo-family-cookbook/
Made these tonight and they are YUMMY!
★★★★★
1. I LOVE your blog posts! I swear (and so does my husband) that you and I were sisters in another life or something~ we are so much alike! I hope that doesn’t sound too creepy!!
2. I will be making these next week for sure. Of course I found this recipe after I did the shopping for this week.
Keep being awesome!
Great recipe! I’m new to using coconut flour, and I noticed the nuggets seemed to burn quickly for me… is that because of the sugar in the coconut flour? Very nice recipe! I added jalapeño in there too… and I think it added a nice kick 🙂
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yes, that could be!
These were great but the 1/2 c coconut flour really dried mine out. Anyone else have this problem??? I used ground turkey…. Maybe next time 1/8c will work for me. Either way, you rock Juli!
★★★★
Did these with ground turkey and basil instead of cilantro (it came in my weekly produce box and had to be used). They turned out AMAZING although I had problems getting the meat to “ball up” and ended up with the FATTEST pair of “meat gloves” on my hands by the end of the whole process. Less coconut flour next time — I swear I only needed about half the amount.
I don’t have coconut aminos in my kitchen, so I decided to just steam up some carrots and puree them with coconut milk, turmeric and salt. Best meal in weeks! Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
I did half turkey, half chicken. I tried Sirracha sauce on them, num,num.
You are showin out, girl. So amazing! #keepgoin
Came across these on DJ Foodie’s facebook site – they look really good. Do you have nutritional info for them? Thanks
no i do not