Name: Chicken or Veggie Bites
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 18 min
Yield: Serves 4 children as a snack
Cuisine: Home cooking

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Serves Serves 4 children as a snack

Difficulty Easy

Prep 20 min

Cook 18 min

Tender little bites made from chicken or mixed vegetables, baked not fried – perfect with dips or in lunchboxes.

These Chicken or Veggie Bites are a homemade alternative to nuggets, with simple ingredients and a crisp coating from the oven.

They’re ideal for bulk cooking: bake a tray, serve some fresh, then freeze the rest for easy snacks or simple dinners on busy evenings.

Method

Preheat the oven to 190°C and line a baking tray with parchment.
In a bowl, combine the chicken or finely chopped vegetables with the grated carrot, peas or sweetcorn, onion, egg, breadcrumbs, cheese and herbs.
Season lightly and mix until everything is well combined and holds together.
Take small spoonfuls of the mixture and roll into bite-sized balls or nuggets, then coat lightly in extra breadcrumbs.
Place on the lined tray, spray or brush with a little oil and bake for 16–18 minutes, turning once, until cooked through and lightly golden.
Cool slightly before serving, and cool completely before freezing any leftovers.

LftOvrs app tip

Use the LftOvrs app to log how many chicken or veggie bites you freeze from each batch so you can plan ahead for quick dinners.

Add a note about which version your children preferred so you can repeat the winning combo.

Why choose organic for this recipe?

If you’re using chicken, choosing organic or high-welfare meat is especially important for children. Organic poultry is raised without routine antibiotic use and under stricter welfare standards, which many families prefer when serving meat regularly.

If you opt for veggie bites, focus on organic carrots, peas and sweetcorn where possible, as these can carry pesticide residues on the outer skins. Pairing organic veg with wholemeal breadcrumbs gives a nourishing snack with fewer synthetic inputs overall.

Quick steps

Mix chicken or veg with binding ingredients → shape into bites → coat in crumbs → bake until cooked through → cool and freeze.

Ingredients

250 g organic chicken breast or thigh meat, finely chopped or minced (or 250 g finely chopped mixed vegetables for a veggie version)
1 small organic carrot, grated
40 g peas or sweetcorn (fresh or frozen)
1 small onion or spring onion, finely chopped
1 organic egg
30 g fine breadcrumbs (plus extra for coating)
1 tbsp grated cheese (optional)
1 tsp dried herbs
Salt and pepper to taste (lightly, for children)
Olive or rapeseed oil spray for baking

Using LftOvrs stainless steel containers

Serve bites with veggie sticks and a yogurt dip as a snack or light meal.

Pack cooled bites into a stainless steel tin for a protein-rich lunchbox option.

Storage & freezer notes

Cool bites completely on a rack before freezing to avoid condensation.

Freeze in a single layer, then transfer to a container. Reheat from frozen in the oven or air fryer until piping hot in the centre.

Method

LftOvrs app tip

Why choose organic for this recipe?

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