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Homemade Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Nuggets

🍗😍🎉 These EASY air fryer nuggets are coated in a mixture of Panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan, which makes them EXTRA flavorful and SO CRISPY! Dip them in this 30-second homemade honey mustard sauce for a guaranteed family FAVORITE!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Additional Time
30 mins
Total Time
53 mins
Servings: 5 servings
Calories: 550 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Chicken nuggets:
  • 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts thighs can be substituted, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • olive oil cooking spray or olive oil for misting optional and as desired
Honey mustard sauce:
  • ½ cup honey or to taste
  • ¼ cup yellow mustard
  • ¼ cup Dijon mustard

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat an extra-large 5.8-quart or similar sized air fryer to 400F.
  2. To a large, shallow bowl, add the panko breadcrumbs, parmesan, salt, pepper, and stir to combine; set aside.
  3. To a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter, about 30 seconds on high power.
  4. Working in batches (I did 3 separate rounds), dip the chicken in the butter, then in the crumb mixture, assertively patting to help the coating adhere.
  5. Place the coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket. Do not allow them to touch, and don't crowd them.
  6. Optionally if desired, give them a quick and light mist with olive oil spray.
  7. Air fry them for about 7 to 8 minutes total, flipping once halfway through with a tongs. When you flip them, if desired, spray again with a light misting of olive oil spray. Exact cooking time will vary based on your air fryer, the size of your chicken pieces, and until you know how your air fryer behaves, I would start checking for doneness by 5 minutes in case it runs on the hot side. These small pieces of chicken really don't take very long to cook.
  8. Place chicken on a serving platter and repeat the process with the remaining chicken, likely two more rounds. Tip - While one batch is air frying, work ahead and start buttering and coating the next batch of chicken in the panko-parm mixture.
Make the honey mustard dipping sauce:
    Cup of Yum
  1. While the last batch is air frying, to a medium bowl add the honey, mustards, whisk to combine, taste and check for flavor balance, adding more honey or mustard to taste if necessary; set aside until ready to serve with chicken.

Notes

  • Storage: Nuggets are best warm and fresh but will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months. Honey mustard will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
  • Note: Any leftover chicken will not be nearly as crispy compared to when it's not fresh and reheating in a microwave will likely remove all the crispy texture, but the flavor will still be good.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 550kcal (28%) Carbohydrates 45g (15%) Protein 39g (78%) Fat 25g (38%) Saturated Fat 13g (65%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 7g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 141mg (47%) Sodium 1382mg (58%) Potassium 641mg (18%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 29g (58%) Vitamin A 654IU (13%) Vitamin C 2mg (2%) Calcium 241mg (24%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 5servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 550

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 550kcal 28%
Carbohydrates 45g 15%
Protein 39g 78%
Fat 25g 38%
Saturated Fat 13g 65%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 7g 35%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 141mg 47%
Sodium 1382mg 58%
Potassium 641mg 14%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 29g 58%
Vitamin A 654IU 13%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 241mg 24%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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