These Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets are a healthier alternative for a kid-friendly dinner! They are easy to make at home, breaded, and baked in an air fryer.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If your goal for the new year is to eat healthier or find lighter versions of your favorite dishes, this recipe is perfect for you. These chicken nuggets are made from fresh chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces, seasoned, dipped in melted butter, coated in breadcrumbs, and baked in an air fryer for 9 minutes without any oil. They are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults!
This healthier version of Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets is also great for meal prepping! Make a double batch and freeze half once they are completely cooled. You can use them just like store-bought nuggets, making dinner time even easier!
Serve these nuggets with Sweet Potato Fries and Instant Pot Mac and Cheese for a kid-friendly meal.
Ingredients For Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets:
Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces.
Butter: Keeps the nuggets juicy and helps the breading adhere.
Breadcrumbs: Plain or Italian; use panko for extra crispiness.
Seasoning: Salt and pepper; you can also add paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, etc.
Parmesan: Adds a delicious toasted cheese flavor (optional).
How to Make Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer:
1. Trim any fat from the chicken breast. Slice into ½-inch thick pieces, then cut each slice into 2 to 3 nuggets.
2. Melt the butter in a small bowl and place the breadcrumbs in another small bowl. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F for 4 minutes.
3. Season the chicken pieces, then dip each one in butter and then in breadcrumbs.
4. Arrange the nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Bake for 7 minutes.
5. Serve with steamed or roasted vegetables, dipping sauce, or a fruit salad and yogurt.
Expert Tips:
- Add different spices to the breading: cayenne pepper for a spicy kick, taco or fajita seasoning for a Mexican twist.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer; leave space between the nuggets so the air can circulate properly.
- Use panko breadcrumbs for extra crispy nuggets.
- Keep the nuggets roughly the same size to ensure even cooking.
How many chicken nuggets does this recipe make?
Two chicken breasts make about 42 nuggets, similar to the quantity in a store-bought bag.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers:
Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place the nuggets in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 minutes.
DON’T LOSE THE DELICIOUS RECIPE! GO FOLLOW US OVER ON INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK ANDPINTERESTFOR MORE RECIPES!
Don’t lose this delicious recipes:
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
These Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets are a healthier alternative for a kid-friendly dinner! They are easy to make at home, breaded, and baked in an air fryer.
Ingredients
- 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F for 4 minutes.
- Trim any fat from the chicken breast. Slice into ½-inch thick pieces, then cut each slice into 2 to 3 nuggets. Season with salt and pepper.
- Place the melted butter in a small bowl and the breadcrumbs (with Parmesan, if using) in another small bowl.
- Dip each piece of chicken in the butter, then coat with breadcrumbs.
- Place the nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to bake in two or more batches.
- Set the timer for 8 minutes.
- Check if the internal temperature of the chicken nuggets is at least 165°F. Remove the nuggets from the basket with tongs and let them cool on a plate.
Notes
- Serve with steamed or roasted vegetables or a fruit salad and yogurt.
- This recipe makes about 21 chicken nuggets from one chicken breast. Doubling the recipe using two chicken breasts yields 42 nuggets, similar to a store-bought bag.
- You can use plain breadcrumbs, but Italian style is preferred.
- The calorie count does not include the optional Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 318Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 89mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 12g
Sos Recipes is not staffed by nutritionists or dietitians, and any provided nutritional information is an approximation. If calorie count and nutritional value are crucial to you, we suggest inputting the ingredients into your preferred online nutritional calculator. The actual calorie and nutritional content may differ based on the brands used.