Air Fryer Homemade Chicken Nuggets

This crispy and tender Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets recipe is the best way to make a quick meal at home. Simply brine chicken in pickle juice and egg wash, toss them with seasoned breadcrumbs, and pop them in the air fryer. This kid-friendly dish is a super-fast weeknight dinner.

Dipping sauce is served beside chicken nuggets.

These air fryer chicken nuggets are NOT just for kids.

They are tender on the inside yet crispy on the outside thanks to the secret ingredient… a pickle juice brine!

After whipping up many batches of these Chick-fil-a Chicken Nuggets, I realized I can achieve the same result, but faster, if I used my trusty air fryer. Plus, there’s no more worrying about oil splatter.

And they are even a bit crispier and HEALTHIER for you!

These homemade chicken nuggets are even better than the frozen, storebought kind, and they are super quick to make.

Kiddos and adults alike will be going back for seconds… and maybe even thirds!

Ingredients

To make this Air Fryer Chicken Nugget recipe you need:

Chicken. For 6 servings, you want around1 ½-pounds of white meat from boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If you use more or less, the breading ratio might be off. Dark or thigh meat can be subbed, but the flavor will be quite different.
Dill pickle juice. Do NOT skip this, it is the secret ingredient that makes Chick-fil-a nuggets so amazing! The acid breaks down the tough fibers in the meat and makes the nuggets so moist and tender. It also gives the chicken that special taste and an extra bit of saltiness.
Eggs. You only need 2 to mix with the pickle juice to make the brine. They help the coating stick to the outside of the chicken.
Flour. Opt for all-purpose flour or a gluten-free 1-to-1 blend. Steer clear of whole wheat flour as it will change the final taste.
Breadcrumbs. Make absolute sure you go with a regular/plain type, or a gluten-free brand such as Aleia’s. Panko breadcrumbs are too thick, and seasoned crumbs will affect the taste.
Sugar. Just a pinch of sweet, powdered sugar pairs with the acidity of the pickle juice and is a marriage made in heaven!
Seasonings. You only need a simple mix of garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. If you like a little bit of spice, toss in some cayenne pepper.
Oil. To get the truly authentic, Chick-fil-a flavor, you MUST use peanut oil. Use organic, if possible. You can sub with avocado oil if there are allergies, but know the flavor won’t be quite the same.

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

The basic steps for making air fryer chicken nuggets are simple to follow:

Cut the Chicken

The key to tender and juicy is evenly-sized pieces. First, use a meat mallet to pound the chicken until it is about one inch thick.

Then, cut them into small bites using a sharp knife. Aim for 1-inch squares.

Keep them as similarly sized as possible so they cook up consistently.

Brine in Pickle Juice

Combine pickle juice, milk, and eggs in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Add the chicken and stir well.

Allow the meat to marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or even up to overnight. However, the longer the chicken rests in the juice, the saltier and tastier it will become.

If you decide to marinate longer, you might want to decrease the amount of salt in the breadcrumb mixture.

Toss in Crumbs

In a small bowl, combine flour, breadcrumbs, powdered sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Carefully whisk the ingredients.

Use tongs to remove chicken pieces from the pickle and egg mixture, allowing excess to drain off. Place a few pieces of chicken into the breadcrumb mixture. Gently toss them around until each piece is well-coated.

Repeat this process with all of the remaining pieces.

Be sure to only do a couple of chunks of chicken at the same time. Otherwise, you will end up with a pile of eggy breadcrumbs. You can also use two bowls so you have fresh coating for the second half of the chicken.

Chicken nuggets are covered in the breading. — Coat chicken with breadcrumbs.

Chicken nuggets are removed with tongs from the bowl. — Coat chicken with breadcrumbs.

Cook in Air Fryer

It is important to preheat a 6-quart air fryer to 380°F. Prepare the grate before frying by greasing it with peanut oil.

Arrange the nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Ensure no pieces are touching so they each get crispy all the way around. Brush the nuggets with a little bit more peanut oil and cook for 4 minutes. Turn the chicken over, coat with more peanut oil, and continue to air fry for an additional 4 minutes.

You can also spray the nuggets with non-stick cooking spray instead of peanut oil for even less fat.

Breaded nuggets are added to the air fryer.

Serve Them Up

You can serve these nuggets with your favorite sauce!

Meal Prep and Storage

To Prep-Ahead: Cut the chicken and mix up the breadcrumb mixture, but don’t mix. You can keep the chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator and the breadcrumbs at room temperature until you’re ready to cook.
To Store: Seal leftovers in an airtight container in keep them the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
To Freeze: Place chicken in a freezer-safe, airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To Reheat: Warm the chicken up in the air fryer at 300℉ for 4-5 minutes for the crispiest results.

Dietary Modifications

The recipe you’ll find below is already dairy-free as written. Here are some adjustments and substitutions you can make to help it fit your other dietary requirements:

Gluten-free – Choose gluten-free breadcrumbs such as Aleia’s, as well as a gluten-free 1-to-1 blend flour.
Lower-sugar – Leave out the powdered sugar.

A plate of chicken nuggets are shown from overhead with dip.

FAQs

How long do you cook chicken nuggets in the air fryer?

The size of the chicken nuggets will affect how long to cook them in the air fryer. In this recipe, it takes less than 10 minutes to cook 1-inch squares. However, larger pieces will require more time.

What do you serve chicken nuggets with?

You can serve chicken nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce, like barbecue, honey mustard, ranch, or ketchup.

Do you have to flip nuggets in an air fryer?

Flipping nuggets halfway through cooking will ensure all sides are equally crispy.

Expert Tips and Tricks

Small and even. Be sure to cut the chicken into similarly-sized pieces for consistent cooking.
Have a pickle. This secret ingredient is necessary to brine the chicken for the best taste and tender texture.
Flip ’em. Turn the chicken pieces over halfway through cooking so both sides crisp up.
Add some spice. If you like a little bit of heat, add some cayenne or chili powder to the breadcrumb mixture.
Save some. This dish is perfect for kids, so make a big batch and freeze some for later.

Hands are shown picking up a chicken nugget.

Make it a Meal

Pair these chicken nuggets with any of these sides for the perfect, kid-friendly meal:

More Air Fryer Recipes

While you have the air fryer out, try one of these recipes next:

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

Ingredients