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Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

Golden, crispy chicken nuggets with a perfect balance of tender, juicy chicken inside and an irresistibly crunchy coating outside, ready in under 15 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 280
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Cooking spray

Method
 

  1. Set up three shallow dishes: flour mixed with half the seasonings in the first, beaten eggs in the second, and panko breadcrumbs combined with remaining seasonings in the third.
  2. Slice chicken breasts into uniform 1-inch pieces. Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
  3. Dredge each chicken piece first in seasoned flour, shaking off excess. Dip into beaten egg, letting extra drip off. Finally, press firmly into panko breadcrumbs, ensuring complete coverage.
  4. Heat your air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes. Lightly spray the basket with cooking oil. Arrange breaded nuggets in a single layer, leaving space between each piece for proper air circulation.
  5. Spray nugget tops lightly with cooking oil. Cook for 4 minutes, then flip each nugget and spray again. Continue cooking 3-4 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F and coating turns deep golden brown.

Notes

Cut chicken pieces the night before and store in the refrigerator. Set up breading station while air fryer preheats for maximum efficiency. Don't skip cooking spray for golden color. Avoid overcrowding basket. Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes to restore crispiness. Can bread nuggets ahead and freeze, then cook directly from frozen adding 2-3 extra minutes.