Sneaky Chicken Nuggets

This was my first crack at making a sneaky chicken nugget. Most recipes call for chicken tenderloins, not ground chicken, so I wasn't sure how they would turn out. They were really good, and one-year-old approved! When I make these again, I will probably add the entire bag of vegetables (I wanted to make sure on their debut, the nuggets didn't give themselves away with too many vegetables!)

Sneaky Chicken Nuggets

2 lbs. ground chicken
2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt + 1/4 tsp salt (divided)
1/4 tsp garlic powder + 1/4 tsp garlic powder (divided)
1/2, 16 oz. bag frozen mixed veggies, thawed
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup bread crumbs (whole wheat would be even better)
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
2 T wheat germ
cooking spray

Combine the ground chicken, eggs, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp garlic powder. In a blender or food processor make a veggie puree out of the mixed veggies and water. Add more water if needed to make the puree smooth, but not runny. Add the veggie puree to the chicken mixture and combine well.

On a large plate or platter mix the bread crumbs, panko, wheat germ, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp garlic powder and combine well with your finger tips.

Preheat oven to 375 deg F. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Take out about a tablespoon or so worth of the chicken mixture and form it into a nugget shape, roll and cover completely in the breadcrumb mixture and place on the baking sheet (this will probably take at least 2 baking sheets, it makes about 60 nuggets). Bake 20-25 minutes until crispy.