Description

These Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets are juicy on the inside and perfectly crispy on the outside! A healthier, easier, and tastier version of a drive-through or frozen classic, made with tender chicken breast, marinated in buttermilk and pickle juice, then coated in a flavorful panko breadcrumb and spice mixture before air frying to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1/2 – 1 inch chunks
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup pickle juice (or omit and use more buttermilk)
1 teaspoon salt

Breading

1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Serving Suggestions (optional dipping sauces)

Honey mustard
Ranch
Chick-fil-A sauce
BBQ sauce
Fry sauce

Instructions

Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, combine the chicken chunks with buttermilk, pickle juice, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Let it marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes or, for deeper flavor, cover and refrigerate for a few hours.
Prepare the breading: Drain the chicken from the marinade and set aside. In a gallon-sized ziplock bag, mix together panko breadcrumbs, flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder thoroughly.
Coat the chicken: Place the drained chicken pieces into the ziplock bag with the breading mixture, seal tightly, and gently shake until all chicken pieces are fully coated with the breadcrumb mixture.
Preheat and prepare air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Cook the nuggets: Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer inside the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray. Air fry for 8-10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit, turning or shaking halfway as needed.
Serve and enjoy: Taste and re-season the chicken nuggets if necessary. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces such as honey mustard, ranch, or BBQ sauce.

Notes

You can also coat the chicken in a bowl if preferred, as demonstrated in the recipe video.
Depending on your air fryer size, cook the chicken nuggets in batches to avoid overcrowding and ensure even crispiness.
Store cooked nuggets in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat leftovers in the air fryer or oven to maintain crispiness.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American

Keywords: air fryer, chicken breast, panko, chicken nuggets, crispy chicken, healthier chicken nuggets