Ideally, the best frozen chicken nuggets taste like what you would get from a fast food drive-thru. They remind you of childhood. They’re quick and easy to cook. Frozen chicken nuggets prepared at home should be a treat in every way.
I have eaten approximately 500,000 chicken nuggets in my life, but before the first round of this taste test, I had never really prepared frozen chicken nuggets at home. Why would I? Chicken nuggets are almost free at fast food restaurants. That being said, I love not leaving my house, so store bought chicken nuggets definitely have some appeal.
After two separate taste tests, I am officially a frozen chicken nuggets fan. Some of them are even better than fast food chicken nuggets! We tried a ton so we could find the best store bought chicken nuggets money can buy, including gluten free chicken nuggets and vegan chicken nuggets. Good news: We found them! Now, grab the best chicken nuggets dips and read on.
- Pilgrim’s Tempura Chicken Breast Nuggets
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While a lot of the frozen chicken nuggets we tasted were reminiscent of the nugs at various fast food establishments, Pilgrim’s Tempura Chicken Breast Nuggets were most like the kind you’re handed in a paper bag through your car window. These have a deep, rich dark-meat flavor that is way more complex than some of the other nuggets we tested. If you are addicted to fast food but need to cut down on your spending, fill your freezer with these. They’re the best frozen chicken nuggets for scratching that fast food itch.
Credit: Ryan Martin / Vons
- Bell & Evans Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets
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If you want Chik-fil-A nuggets without having to patronize Chik-fil-A, say hello to Bell & Evans Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets. Unlike processed, formed nuggets, these are just big hunks of chicken in a light breading. Some of our tasters argued that these aren’t technically nuggets because of their shape, but I don’t care about that and I’m the one writing this article. Their flavor is mild, so they are ideal for dipping in the nugget sauce of your choice. I can’t wait to get these into some Buffalo ranch.
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Yummy Dino Buddies Whole Grain Chicken Breast Nuggets
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We tasted a bunch of dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets in our taste tests. Yummy is the iconic dino nugget brand for a reason. They’re the best frozen chicken nuggets if you happen to prefer nuggets that are shaped like prehistoric creatures. And, surprisingly enough, the whole grain version of these nuggets was better than the original version. They got much crispier in the oven. This feels like a double win because the whole grain nuggets are more nutritious and more delicious. A rare find!
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Impossible Plant Based Chicken Nuggets
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If you live a plant-based lifestyle or just want to have a little less meat in your diet, Impossible Nuggets are the best frozen chicken nuggets you can buy. They are easily the best vegan chicken nuggets on the planet. It is almost impossible to tell that these are not made with real chicken. I swear! In fact, they’re better than most of the actual chicken nuggets we tasted. Try them. I’m certain you’ll like them.
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Tyson Panko Chicken Nuggets
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Sporked editor-in-chief Justine Sterling loved these because they are the most like McDonald’s chicken nuggets of all the brands we tried. If you, too, worship at the altar of the Golden Arches, buy these Tyson Panko Chicken Nuggets. The panko (aka Japanese breadcrumbs) gives them extra crunch, which perfectly complements the juicy chicken center. Looking for that real fast food crunch? Toss these in the air fryer. All you need is hot mustard and, voila, you’re Ronald McDonald.
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Trader Joe’s Breaded Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets
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It’s rare that we find a gluten free product that is as good as or better than the gluten full option. That makes Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets a rare find. These are better than any other regular frozen chicken nuggets. They are so moist, the crust is perfectly crunchy, and they are well-seasoned. Not only are these the best gluten free chicken nuggets, they’re the best frozen chicken nuggets in general.
Credit: Liv Averett
Best Fast Food at Home
Best for Dipping
Best Dino
Best Plant Based
Best Crunch
Best of the Best
Other Products We Tried: Good & Gather, Good & Gather Whole Grain Dino Nuggets, Tyson Naturals, John Soules Foods, John Soules Foods Dino Nuggets, Sprouts GF, Sprouts Grain Free, Yummy GF, Yummy, Kirkwood, Kirkwood Dino, Fast Fixin’
Read Sporked’s ranking of the best vegan nuggets!
Rhett & Link’s Pick
Tyson All Natural Fully Cooked Chicken Nuggets
When Rhett & Link did their very own frozen chicken nugget taste test, they determined that the Tyson All Natural Fully Cooked Chicken Nuggets were their favorite. Rhett said he “could eat a whole plate of these.” They beat out Perdue with their crunchy texture and fun orange coloring. Link liked that “they don’t hide the [natural nugget] flavor with pepper.” If you’re looking for a straightforward, meat-focused chicken nugget, check these out!
This writer must have never had Country Pride tempura nuggets then… This is the doppelganger to McDonald’s nuggets, If not better!!
100% must add just bare, and kirklands knock off just bare to this list they are so good!
Tyson is the only nuggets I’ve seen and ate before. Everything else I never heard of.
Just Bare are heads and tails above all of these
You are missing out on nuggets. Just Bare® Chicken Nuggets are the best that both Kids and adults can love. Think Chick-Fil-A. Costco also has a Kirkland brand which I believe is made by them.
If you ever decide to revamp this list, the Trader Joe’s chicken drumellas are some of the best I’ve ever had!
Sorry disagree…., Quorn chicken nuggets are #1 but only when they go back to the packaging because cardboard box taste like that now my kid thought it was McDonald’s
These are just real chicken nuggets. Our plant based nugget test will come later!
Dinosaur chicken nuggets will always be top tier.
Sadly, when compared to other nuggets side by side, they lack in flavor and texture.
If you have not tried them, you need to give Just Bare chicken from Costco a try. They beat out any other chicken nugget I have tried.
100% agree! “Just Bare” makes nuggets that are insanely good! While they can be cooked in the microwave or oven, I strongly suggest using an air fryer. These are fast food quality nuggets.
What about Dino nuggets?
Best in Fun, for my humble opinion
100% my favorite.
I actually had some of those when I ran out of other nuggets but had a craving and I was very surprised how good they were
One month I ate nothing but chicken nuggets I don’t remember any of it I call it “Nugget Month”.
This is goals.
Any fake chicken ones you highly recommend?
We’ll be taste testing them soon!
I have tried a few fake nuggs myself, and many regular nuggs for htat matter, and Ill tell ya the Impossible ones are the way to go.
Shame that this list doesnt mention the Perdue Panko Nuggest as those are stellar
As someone who is nugget obsessed this article is INSANELY helpful