Today’s post is written by my husband G, a Baltimore native and die-hard Ravens fan. He introduces our recipe for Paleo Buffalo Chicken Nuggets — the perfect finger food for game day. These are great for Super Bowl gatherings when you want satisfying bar-style snacks without processed ingredients.
Super-Bowl Sunday — An American Tradition
Since the inaugural Super Bowl in January 1967, the game has become a national event. This matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers has plenty of storylines — sibling head coaches, big-name players, and a lot of excitement. And of course, no football gathering is complete without good food.
If you follow a paleo or whole-foods approach, game-day options can feel limited. These Paleo Buffalo Chicken Nuggets deliver the familiar spicy, tangy flavor of classic wings presented as easy-to-eat nuggets. They’re gluten-free and dairy-free (unless you choose a blue cheese dip) and make a crowd-pleasing addition to any party.
Paleo Buffalo Chicken Nuggets
These paleo buffalo chicken nuggets are surprisingly flavorful — our family fights over them whenever they’re made. Below is the full recipe along with two dipping sauce options (blue cheese if you eat dairy, and a dairy-free ranch). There’s also a plain-nugget variation for kids or anyone who prefers a milder taste.
Paleo Buffalo Chicken Nuggets
Gluten-free, dairy-free buffalo chicken nuggets — a perfect party snack.
- Author: Lea Valle
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: dinner, snack
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken (a little fat makes for a moister nugget)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 2 teaspoons Frank’s RedHot Original Red Hot Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Celtic sea salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Paleo Chicken Nugget Coating
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon Celtic sea salt
Buffalo Sauce
- 1/3 cup Frank’s RedHot Original Red Hot Sauce
- 3 tablespoons ghee or butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup coconut flour, onion powder, garlic powder and 1 teaspoon salt. Mix well.
- In a medium bowl, place the ground chicken, one egg, 2 teaspoons Frank’s hot sauce and the coconut flour mixture.
- Mix with your hands until well combined, but do not overmix.
- Scoop out about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the mixture and roll into small meatballs — you should end up with roughly 20.
- Press each meatball into a flatter “nugget” shape.
- Combine the remaining 1/4 cup coconut flour, 2 tablespoons flax meal and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Gently dip each nugget into the coating until evenly covered.
- Place the coated nuggets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a Silpat.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- While the nuggets bake, warm together 1/3 cup Frank’s hot sauce and 3 tablespoons ghee or butter until combined.
- After 15 minutes, remove the nuggets and dip each one in the warm butter-hot sauce mixture until coated. Return the nuggets to the baking sheet and bake another 5 minutes.
- Serve hot with celery sticks and your choice of dip.
Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing
- 4 ounces good blue cheese
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- Salt to taste
Crumble the blue cheese into the other ingredients and stir until combined. Adjust salt to taste and leave the dressing as smooth or chunky as you prefer.
Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing
- 1 cup paleo mayonnaise
- 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon chives
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Whisk all ingredients together until smooth. Refrigerate to let flavors meld before serving.
Plain Paleo Chicken Nuggets (Milder Version)
If you prefer a non-spicy version for kids or sensitive eaters, omit the 2 teaspoons of hot sauce in the meat mixture. Bake and then brush the nuggets with melted ghee before finishing the last 5 minutes in the oven. Alternatively, pan-fry the coated nuggets in ghee for 3–4 minutes per side and finish in the oven for 5–7 minutes for a crisper exterior.
We’d love to know — what are your favorite Super Bowl snacks, and will you try a paleo menu this year?
Thanks for stopping by! Find Paleo Spirit on Facebook and Pinterest, and subscribe to receive email updates for new posts.