Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe

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Ingredients

  • 1 lb 450g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup buttermilk optional, for marinating
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 2 cups breadcrumbs panko or regular
  • Cooking spray olive oil or canola oil

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken (Optional):

  • If time allows, soak the chicken pieces in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight in the refrigerator). This step helps tenderize the chicken and adds flavor.

Prepare the Coating:

  • In a shallow dish, mix together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  • Place the beaten eggs in a second shallow dish.
  • Place the breadcrumbs in a third shallow dish.

Coat the Chicken:

  • If you marinated the chicken, drain off the excess buttermilk. Dredge each chicken piece in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally, coat it well with the breadcrumbs.

Preheat the Air Fryer:

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.

Arrange the Chicken in the Air Fryer:

  • Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the breaded chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket, making sure they are not touching. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Lightly spray the top of the chicken with cooking spray.

Cook:

  • Air fry the chicken nuggets for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time, until they are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Serve:

  • Serve the chicken nuggets hot with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or ranch dressing.

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