Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Marinate
30 mins
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Total Time
1 hr
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Servings
5
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Calories
354 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Description
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets begin with marinating cubed boneless, skinless chicken breasts in pickle juice to enhance moisture and add tang. The nuggets are dredged through an egg and milk wash, then coated in a flour-based breading spiced with paprika, chili powder, black pepper, and baking powder with optional additions like powdered sugar or cayenne for sweetness or heat. Cooking in the air fryer at 360°F crisps the coating evenly while preserving juicy chicken inside. This method reduces oil use and cleanup compared to frying.
The recipe yields about 30 nuggets, suitable for family meals or snacks. The crispy, flavorful coating pairs well with a variety of dipping sauces, and nuggets can be served alongside sides like fries or salad for a casual meal.
Notes suggest freezing cooked nuggets for up to three months, with reheating instructions to restore crispness. Variations include using whole wheat or panko for different textures, adapting it for gluten-free diets, and instructions for baking as an alternative to air frying.
Ingredients
- 2 lb chicken breast cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes, boneless skinless
- 1/2 cup pickle juice
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg large
Breading:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 Tablespoons powdered sugar (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 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
Notes
- After air frying for 6 minutes, cool nuggets completely before freezing in a container to maintain texture; freeze up to 3 months.
- For a healthier option, omit powdered sugar and use whole wheat flour or panko breadcrumbs in the breading.
- Gluten-free adaptations include substituting all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper for spicy chicken nuggets.
- For oven baking, cook nuggets at 400°F on a baking tray for 10 minutes, then flip and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes until done.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 5Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 354 kcal
% 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.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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