Can I Oven Cook Ritzy Chicken Nuggets And Goujons Of Sole?

Our answer

Nigella's Ritzy Chicken Nuggets (from FEAST) and Goujons Of Sole With Dill Mayonnaise (from NIGELLA EXPRESS) are both dishes that appeal to adults and children alike. The chicken nuggets are coated in crumbs made from Ritz crackers and the goujons are coated with dried white or panko breadcrumbs.

The main problem with oven baking rather than frying is that the crumb coating can remain unappetisingly pale. When the coated chicken or fish pieces are fried, the oil acts as a direct conduit for heat, causing the coating to become golden brown and crisp fairly quickly. In the oven the heat is indirect and the coating doesn't brown as well. For the sole goujons we would not oven bake them as the fish will overcook before the coating becomes brown. For the chicken nuggets, the Ritz crackers have some oil in them and chicken is less delicate than fish so you might be able to bake them, though the results will never quite be the same. Spray the coated nuggets with a little vegetable oil and bake them in a hot oven at around 220°C/200°C fan/425°F for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through, or until the coating is golden and the chicken is cooked through. You might also be able to cook the nuggets in an air fryer at 200°C/400°F for about 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. However, as we have not tried cooking the chicken nuggets in either of these ways, we are unable to guarantee the results.