4.9 from 102 votes
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Our homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets recipe is healthier, tastes better, and is cooked in the air fryer for that crispy coating but still juicy inside.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Marinate
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 5
Calories: 354 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts , cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes
- 1/2 cup pickle juice
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large egg
Breading:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 Tablespoons powdered sugar (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 - 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper *optional, for a spicy chicken nuggets
Instructions
- Marinate: Cut the chicken into 1.5 inch pieces and place in a bowl or ziplock bag with the pickle juice and marinate for 30 minutes.
- Make Breading: Add flour, powdered sugar, paprika, black pepper, chili powder, salt, and baking powder to a ziplock bag.
- Add milk, and egg to a separate bowl and mix together. Preheat air fryer to 360 degrees.
- Coat the Chicken: Remove chicken from pickle marinade and add to the bowl with the egg mixture. Spoon out the pieces (letting any excess egg mixture to drip off) and place them in the ziplock bag with the dry seasonings. Seal and shake bag to evenly coat all of the chicken.
- Cook: Spray the bottom of the fry basket with nonstick cooking spray and place half of the chicken pieces into a single layer in the bottom of the basket, spacing them out so they don't stick together. Generously spray the top of each piece of chicken with cooking spray.
- Air Fry at 360 for 6 minutes. Open air fryer, flip chicken pieces to the other side, and spray tops again with cooking spray. Increase air fryer temperature to 400 degrees and cook for 2 more minutes, or until crisp and cooked through. (Exact cooking time will vary depending on the size of your nuggets, your air fryer, etc.)
- Dippings sauces: BBQ Sauce, Ranch, Chick-fil-A Sauce, Hot Honey, Ketchup, Serve with: Baked Sweet Potato Fries, Fresh fruit, Applesauce, Veggies and Dip, Salad, Roasted Vegetables
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Yield: Makes about 30 nuggets
- Freezing Instructions: After cooking at 360 degrees for 6 minutes, allow nuggets to cool, then place in a freezer safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat at 380 degrees until golden, crispy and warmed through.
- Healthier Chicken Nuggets: leave out the powdered sugar, and use wheat flour or panko instead of all-purpose flour.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten free flour or breadcrumbs.
- Spicy Chicken Nuggets: add 1 to 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper to the flour mixture.
- Oven Baked Chicken Nuggets: prepare the same, and bake on a baking tray at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until cooked through. (Or, make my Popcorn Chicken recipe, instead!).
Nutrition Information
Calories
354kcal
(18%)
Carbohydrates
28g
(9%)
Protein
43g
(86%)
Fat
7g
(11%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
Trans Fat
0.03g
Cholesterol
152mg
(51%)
Sodium
866mg
(36%)
Potassium
769mg
(22%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
468IU
(9%)
Vitamin C
2mg
(2%)
Calcium
75mg
(8%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 5Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 354
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 354kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 28g | 9% |
| Protein | 43g | 86% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 0.03g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 152mg | 51% |
| Sodium | 866mg | 36% |
| Potassium | 769mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 468IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 75mg | 8% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.