Description
Crispy, golden brown Easy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets made with simple ingredients and cooked to perfection in the air fryer. Perfectly seasoned and crunchy on the outside while juicy inside, these chicken nuggets are a healthier alternative to deep-fried versions and great for a quick snack or meal.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders (cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces)
Breading
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Other
- Nonstick spray or olive oil mister
- Greek Yogurt Ranch (for dipping)
Instructions
- Coat the Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry, then place them in a gallon-sized zip-top bag with the flour. Seal the bag and shake it well until each piece is evenly coated with flour.
- Prepare Breading Mixtures: In a shallow bowl, beat together the egg and milk. In another shallow bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, paprika, and kosher salt. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside as a place to rest the coated chicken pieces.
- Dredge the Chicken: Working a few pieces at a time, dip each floured chicken piece first into the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture. Pat the coating gently to help it adhere and shake off any excess crumbs.
- Place on Baking Sheet: Transfer the coated chicken nuggets to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat the dredging process until all chicken pieces are coated and placed on the sheet.
- Preheat Oven for Warming (Optional): If you want to keep the cooked nuggets warm between batches, preheat a regular oven to 250°F.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the chicken nuggets in a single layer, making sure pieces do not touch.
- Spray Nuggets: Generously spray the top of the chicken nuggets with nonstick spray or olive oil mist for extra crispiness.
- Air Fry the Nuggets: Cook the chicken nuggets in the air fryer at 400°F for 7 to 9 minutes. Halfway through cooking, carefully pull out the basket and flip each piece over to ensure even browning.
- Check for Doneness: Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F using an instant-read thermometer. The nuggets should be golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Keep Warm and Serve: Transfer cooked nuggets to the warmed oven to keep them hot while you cook remaining batches. Serve immediately with Greek Yogurt Ranch or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Drying the chicken pieces before coating helps the flour adhere better and results in a crispier crust.
- Using a mixture of panko and Italian seasoned breadcrumbs adds great texture and flavor.
- Spraying the nuggets with oil before air frying ensures they crisp up nicely without deep frying.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed for best results.
- Greek Yogurt Ranch is a healthier dip option that pairs well with these nuggets.
- Keep cooked nuggets warm in a low oven if cooking multiple batches.