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Crispy Homemade Chicken Nuggets Air Fryer Recipe Easy 5-Minute Guide

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This recipe delivers perfectly crispy and juicy homemade chicken nuggets using an air fryer, offering a quick and healthier alternative to deep-fried nuggets with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Cooking spray or a light drizzle of olive oil

Instructions

  1. Cut 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 1 to 1.5 inch bite-sized pieces.
  2. Set up three shallow bowls: one with ½ cup all-purpose flour, one with 2 beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp paprika, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper.
  3. Coat the chicken pieces by first tossing them in the flour, shaking off excess, then dipping into the beaten eggs, and finally coating thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture. Place breaded pieces on a baking sheet or plate.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
  5. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with olive oil. Arrange the nuggets in a single layer without overcrowding.
  6. Air fry the nuggets for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. Transfer cooked nuggets to a plate lined with paper towels if needed to absorb excess oil. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even crispiness. Let breaded nuggets rest for 5 minutes before air frying to help the coating stick better. If nuggets are not crispy enough, add 1-2 extra minutes of cooking time. For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken nuggets, air fryer, homemade chicken nuggets, crispy chicken nuggets, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, healthy chicken nuggets

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