{"id":826,"date":"2023-09-29T11:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-29T18:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sporked.com\/?p=826"},"modified":"2024-11-07T11:39:28","modified_gmt":"2024-11-07T19:39:28","slug":"best-frozen-chicken-nuggets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sporked.com\/article\/best-frozen-chicken-nuggets\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Frozen Chicken Nuggets at the Grocery Store"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ideally, the best frozen chicken nuggets taste like what you would get from a fast food drive-thru. They remind you of childhood. They\u2019re quick and easy to cook. Frozen chicken nuggets prepared at home should be a treat in every way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> and read on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Best Fast Food at Home<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Pilgrim\u2019s Tempura Chicken Breast Nuggets<\/strong><\/dt>\n\n\n\n
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Vons<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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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\u2019s Tempura Chicken Breast Nuggets were most like the kind you\u2019re 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\u2019re the best frozen chicken nuggets for scratching that fast food itch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Credit: Ryan Martin \/ Vons<\/p>\n<\/dd>\n\n\n\n

Rating:<\/p>

8\/10<\/p>

Sporks<\/p><\/div>

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Best for Dipping<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Bell & Evans Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets<\/strong><\/dt>\n\n\n\n
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Instacart<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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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\u2019t technically nuggets because of their shape, but I don\u2019t care about that and I\u2019m the one writing this article. Their flavor is mild, so they are ideal for dipping in the nugget sauce of your choice. I can\u2019t wait to get these into some Buffalo ranch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Credit: Liv Averett \/ Instacart<\/p>\n<\/dd>\n\n\n\n

Rating:<\/p>

9\/10<\/p>

Sporks<\/p><\/div>

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Best Dino<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Yummy Dino Buddies Whole Grain Chicken Breast Nuggets<\/strong><\/dt>\n\n\n\n
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Instacart<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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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\u2019re 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<\/em> more delicious. A rare find!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Credit: Liv Averett \/ Instacart<\/p>\n<\/dd>\n\n\n\n

Rating:<\/p>

9\/10<\/p>

Sporks<\/p><\/div>

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Best Plant Based<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Impossible Plant Based Chicken Nuggets<\/strong><\/dt>\n\n\n\n
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Target<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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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<\/a> on the planet. It is almost impossible to tell that these are not made with real chicken. I swear! In fact, they\u2019re better than most of the actual chicken nuggets we tasted. Try them. I\u2019m certain you\u2019ll like them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Credit: Liv Averett \/ Target<\/p>\n<\/dd>\n\n\n\n

Rating:<\/p>

9.5\/10<\/p>

Sporks<\/p><\/div>

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Best Crunch<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tyson Panko Chicken Nuggets<\/strong><\/dt>\n\n\n\n
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Instacart<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Sporked<\/em> editor-in-chief Justine Sterling<\/a> loved these because they are the most like McDonald\u2019s 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<\/a> and, voila, you\u2019re Ronald McDonald.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Credit: Liv Averett \/ Instacart<\/p>\n<\/dd>\n\n\n\n

Rating:<\/p>

9.5\/10<\/p>

Sporks<\/p><\/div>

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Best of the Best<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Trader Joe’s Breaded Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets<\/strong><\/dt>\n\n\n\n
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It\u2019s rare that we find a gluten free product that is as good as or better than the gluten full option. That makes Trader Joe\u2019s 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\u2019re the best frozen chicken nuggets in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Credit: Liv Averett<\/p>\n<\/dd>\n\n\n\n

Rating:<\/p>

10\/10<\/p>

Sporks<\/p><\/div>

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Other Products We Tried:<\/strong> 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’
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Read Sporked’s ranking of the best vegan nuggets<\/a>!<\/strong>
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Tyson All Natural Fully Cooked Chicken Nuggets<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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 \u201ccould eat a whole plate of these.\u201d They beat out Perdue with their crunchy texture and fun orange coloring. Link liked that \u201cthey don\u2019t hide the [natural nugget] flavor with pepper.\u201d If you\u2019re looking for a straightforward, meat-focused chicken nugget, check these out!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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