Description
Crispy golden air fryer chicken nuggets bring nostalgic comfort straight to dinner tables with minimal effort. Perfectly seasoned and crunchy, these homemade bites offer a healthier alternative to traditional fast-food favorites that you can enjoy guilt-free.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1.5 cups breadcrumbs
Seasoning:
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
Coating/Cooking:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 cooking spray (for air fryer basket)
Instructions
- Slice chicken breasts into uniform bite-sized chunks, ensuring each piece is roughly 1-inch thick for consistent cooking.
- Create a seasoning blend by mixing salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a shallow bowl, thoroughly combining all spices.
- Establish three separate dredging stations: one with flour, another with whisked eggs, and the third with breadcrumbs.
- Coat each chicken piece first in seasoned flour, shaking off excess to create a light, even layer.
- Dip floured chicken into beaten eggs, allowing any dripping to minimize, ensuring complete egg coverage.
- Roll egg-coated chicken in breadcrumbs, pressing gently to help crumbs adhere completely and create a crispy exterior.
- Lightly spray air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking and potential burning.
- Arrange chicken nuggets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding to ensure proper air circulation.
- Set air fryer temperature to 400°F and cook nuggets for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through to guarantee even, golden-brown crispiness.
- Check internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer for safe consumption.
- Remove nuggets and let rest for 2-3 minutes to maintain crispness and allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
- Slice chicken uniformly to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout each nugget.
- Create a customizable spice blend by experimenting with different herbs like oregano, thyme, or cayenne for varied flavor profiles.
- Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs to transform this recipe into a celiac-friendly meal without sacrificing crunchiness.
- Pat chicken pieces dry before dredging to help breading adhere better and achieve maximum crispiness in the air fryer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg