Air frying chicken nuggets is a great way to get that crispy texture you love without all the oil used in traditional deep frying. Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for making homemade chicken nuggets in your air fryer:
Ingredients:
For the Chicken Nuggets:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional, for a bit of color and mild flavor)
For the Breading:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko breadcrumbs for extra crispiness)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Equipment:
- Air fryer
- Three shallow bowls
- Cooking spray (olive oil or any preferred)
Instructions:
1. Season the Chicken:
- In a bowl, season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix well to ensure all pieces are evenly coated.
2. Prepare the Breading Station:
- Set up three shallow bowls for the breading process:
- Bowl 1: All-purpose flour mixed with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Bowl 2: Beaten eggs.
- Bowl 3: Breadcrumbs.
3. Bread the Chicken:
- Dredge each piece of chicken first in the flour, tapping off the excess.
- Dip next into the beaten egg, letting any excess drip off.
- Finally, coat well in the breadcrumbs, pressing the breadcrumbs onto the chicken to adhere well.
4. Prepare to Air Fry:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) if your model requires preheating.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the breaded chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket. Spray the tops of the chicken with a light coat of cooking spray to help achieve a golden color.
5. Air Fry the Chicken Nuggets:
- Cook for about 8-10 minutes, then flip the nuggets and spray lightly again with cooking spray if they look dry. Continue to cook for another 5-7 minutes or until the chicken nuggets are golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
6. Serve:
- Serve the chicken nuggets hot with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, barbecue sauce, or honey mustard.