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top view of chicken nuggets on a plate with red dipping sauce
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5 from 15 votes

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets are lightly seasoned and breaded, then cooked until golden and crispy. Serve with dipping sauces for a fast, satisfying, and kid-friendly dinner.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Calorie
Servings: 6
Author: Rena

Ingredients

  • 3 chicken breasts skinless, boneless, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 3 ounces panko breadcrumbs or gluten-free panko breadcrumbs
  • Cooking oil spray

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer at 400°F for about 10 minutes.
  • Trim any fat from the chicken breast and cut into 1-inch chunks; set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.
  • In a shallow dish place the breadcrumbs.
  • Now dip each chicken piece into the egg and then into the breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to help the coating adhere.
  • Place chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket, in a single layer; you may need to bake in two batches or more, depending on the size of your fryer.
  • Spray the nuggets with some cooking oil and air fry for 12-15 minutes or until crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Once done remove the nuggets from the basket with a tong. Serve with your favorite dip and enjoy!

Notes

  • Chicken breasts: To help each chicken nugget cook evenly in the air fryer, make sure to cut them into equal-sized chunks. 
  • Smoked paprika: Regular paprika can also be used, but the smoked paprika adds more flavor. 
  • Cooking oil spray: An olive oil spray will add a little extra flavor, but any other neutral oil will work just as well.
  • Cook the chicken in a single layer, with no pieces overlapping or touching significantly. If needed, cook in two batches. This will help them get crispy! 
  • To make gluten-free, use gluten-free panko bread crumbs.
  • Storage: Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. 
  • Freezing: Cook and cool fully. Then freeze in an air-tight container for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating. 
  • Reheating: Turn on the air fryer to 400°F. Reheat nuggets for 4-8 minutes, or until heated through. 

Nutrition

Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 127mg | Sodium: 644mg | Potassium: 474mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 277IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg