29/05/2026
Hidden Veggie Chicken Nuggets
Rainy day meal prep with me (Katrina) as a Nutritional Advisor for my 2.5 year old. Yummy, toddler-friendly, freezer-friendly and packed with protein and veggies. Food I actually want to eat as an adult, so naturally I had to taste test a few. These taste so good they would be a great option for adult appetisers, in a salad, poke bowl or on a wrap.
Ingredients
500g chicken breast mince
1 small zucchini
1 small carrot
Small handful spinach or broccoli (I used both)
1⁄4 cup cottage cheese or grated cheese
1 egg
1⁄2 cup breadcrumbs or rolled oats
½ small onion
1 tsp garlic powder
Optional: 1 tbsp parmesan
Small pinch salt and pepper
Thermomix Method
Step 1 – Chop Veggies
Add zucchini, carrot, onion and spinach/broccoli to bowl.
Mix: 5 sec / speed 5
Scrape down sides.
For more hidden veggies: mix another 3–5 sec / speed 5.
If mixture is very wet, drain excess liquid.
Step 2 – Mix Nuggets
Add:
chicken mince
cottage cheese
egg
breadcrumbs/oats
garlic powder
Mix: 10–15 sec / reverse / speed 3–4
Mixture should be soft but shapeable. Add extra breadcrumbs if needed.
Step 3 – Shape
Wet hands slightly and shape into nuggets or small patties.
Optional: coat lightly in extra breadcrumbs.
Non-Thermomix Method
Finely grate zucchini and carrot.
Finely chop spinach or broccoli and onion
Squeeze excess liquid from zucchini.
Add all ingredients to a bowl.
Mix until well combined.
Shape into nuggets.
Cooking Fresh Nuggets
Air Fryer
190°C for 10–12 minutes
Flip halfway through.
Oven
200°C for 18–20 minutes
Flip halfway through.
Freezing Instructions
To Freeze Uncooked
Place shaped nuggets onto a lined tray in a single layer.
Freeze until solid (1–2 hours).
Transfer to freezer bags or containers.
Store for up to 2–3 months.
Cooking From Frozen
Air Fryer
190°C for 14–16 minutes
Oven
200°C for 22–25 minutes
Cook until fully heated through and cooked in the centre.
To Freeze Cooked Nuggets
Allow nuggets to cool completely.
Freeze in airtight containers or freezer bags.
Reheating Cooked Nuggets
Air Fryer
190°C for 4–6 minutes
Oven
200°C for 8–10 minutes
