The best frozen chicken nuggets taste like what you’d get from a fast food drive-thru. They remind you of childhood. They’re quick and easy to cook. And when they’re good, they can be the most delicious meal you’ve had all week, even if you’re technically an adult with a diverse palate and plenty of cooking expertise to whip up something more ambitious than breaded chicken. That’s the power of the best tasting frozen chicken nuggets, I’m afraid. On a scale of yum, they’re hard to beat.
How we found the best frozen chicken nuggets
It was our pleasure, nay, our privilege to raid grocery store frozen aisles everywhere to buy up all the frozen nugs this big beautiful world has to offer. We looked for all kinds, from the best gluten free chicken nuggets to lightly breaded and even some flavored, wildcard options. If it looked remotely nugget-adjacent, we threw it in the cart. For our three separate chicken nugget taste tests, our goal was variety: classic nugs, dino-shaped nugs, and nuggets with surprise seasoning.
How we prepared the chicken nuggets
For the most part, we air-fried these to get the best crisp possible, although in past taste tests, many were cooked in the oven. We each tried them plain, and then dunked the ones that were really yummy in our preferred sauces because we lack self-control. (Thousand Island Dressing, all the way, dudes.)
What we looked for in the best frozen chicken nuggets
The best chicken nuggets should be juicy and neatly seasoned, with a crisp breading that doesn’t turn to salty cardboard in your mouth. Ideally, the meat isn’t just the texture of a sponge. Whether we’re dealing with white meat breast or a mix of white and dark meat, the best store bought chicken nuggets need to taste like real chicken. It’s pretty simple, really. Here’s what we recommend.
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- Pilgrim’s Zesty Ranch Popcorn Nuggets
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Pilgrim’s Zesty Ranch Popcorn Nuggets are not a menu offering from West Hollywood’s newest gay bar, I’m sorry to say, but they are the most delicious flavored nuggets we’ve tried to date. Every tender, bite-sized popcorn chicken nugget bursts with tangy, savory, garlicky ranch flavor. Maybe it’s cheating to include a popcorn chicken product on a list of the best frozen chicken nuggets, but these little guys are super juicy and tender—rare for popcorn chicken, which has a tendency to be dry. We loved them. You will, too. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- 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
- Kirkland Signature Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks
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It’s Halloween 2024. I roll up to my friend’s party as a lazily-costumed Daenerys Targaryen with a little plushie dragon on my arm. I’m setting the scene so you can picture me, aka Khaleesi, in a Shein dress, in a very dark corner of this Halloween party, hoarding an entire serving tray of Kirkland’s Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks for myself. I had a perfectly fun time at that party, but those juicy, bite-sized chicken nuggets were the highlight of my night. They’re made from real chunks of chicken breast, so the meat tastes very fresh and juicy without being greasy. (I think that’s how I ate almost two dozen of them without getting heartburn.) These come in a huge 4 lb. bag—so they’re definitely the best chicken nuggets if you’re hosting a party (for mothers of dragons or anyone, really). —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Costco
- Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks
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What, did you think I was going to miss out on the opportunity to tell you, once again, that Just Bare products are basically Chic-fil-A dupes, and you should buy them immediately? These chicken nuggets have that same greasy, savory, peanut-oil-fried flavor as Chic-fil-A. You would have a hard time telling them apart in a blind taste test. The crispy bits of breading on the outside are so friggin’ addictive, too. Yes, Pilgrim’s Tempura chicken nuggets have that paper-bag fast food flavor, but these are the best frozen chicken nuggets for taking the drive-thru experience to the next level. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Bell & Evans Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets
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Unlike processed, formed nuggets, Bell & Evans Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets 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. —Jordan Myrick
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 healthier and more delicious. A rare find! —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Perdue Chicken Nuggets
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Hey, Perdue. It’s me, Ariana, your biggest fan. Maybe you don’t know, but I’ve written about you before—I really liked your chicken tenders and chicken patties, believe it or not. And that’s because you’re consistent, Perdue. Your chicken tastes fresh, tender, juicy. Your breading is thin, crisp, and golden, often with a panko-esque crumbing that’s, frankly, to die for. I’d pick you over most Tyson nuggets any day, you hear me? (Just not our #1, I’m sorry. Forgive me.) You make some of the best tasting frozen chicken nuggets in the game, end of story. —Ariana Losch
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. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Trader Joe’s Breaded Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets
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It’s rare that we find a gluten free product that is just as good as the gluten full option. When it comes to the Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets, that’s not the case. These are better than most 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 some of the best frozen chicken nuggets in general. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett
- 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. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
Best Flavored Nuggets
Best Fast Food at Home
Best Party Food
Best Chic-fil-A Dupe
Best for Dipping
Best Dino
Best Classic
Best Plant Based
Best Gluten Free
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’, Great Value Chicken Nuggets, Great Value Spicy Fully Cooked, Bettergoods Chicken Gluten Free Nuggets, Tyson Frozen Buffalo Style Boneless Chicken Bites, Foster Farms Chicken Breast Nuggets, KIDFRESH Super Duper Chicken Nuggets, Banquet Chicken Nuggets
