Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Nuggets (Print Version)

Juicy chicken pieces with a crunchy panko crust, cooked in an air fryer for a healthier twist.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces

→ Marinade

02 - ½ cup low-fat buttermilk
03 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
04 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
05 - ½ teaspoon onion powder
06 - ½ teaspoon paprika
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
08 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Coating

09 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil or cooking spray
11 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
12 - ½ teaspoon paprika
13 - ¼ teaspoon salt

# How to Make It:

01 - Whisk buttermilk, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
02 - In a shallow dish, combine panko breadcrumbs, olive oil (or spray with cooking spray), Parmesan if using, paprika, and salt. Mix until well combined.
03 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Coat each piece thoroughly in the panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
05 - Place the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding; cook in batches if necessary.
06 - Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until nuggets are golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
07 - Serve immediately with your preferred dipping sauce.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • They cook in under 15 minutes, making weeknight dinners feel less chaotic.
  • Your kitchen stays oil-free but the nuggets taste like you spent hours on them.
  • Kids actually eat vegetables when you serve them on the side without complaint.
02 -
  • Don't skip the preheating step or your nuggets will cook unevenly and the crust won't crisp properly.
  • Flipping halfway through is the difference between golden and burnt, so set a timer and actually flip them.
  • If your panko looks dry when mixing, add the oil a tiny bit at a time—too much makes them soggy and not enough leaves them pale.
03 -
  • Marinating for a full hour instead of 15 minutes makes the chicken noticeably more tender and flavorful, and it's worth the extra patience.
  • If you have a large air fryer, you can cook all the nuggets at once, but if you're working in batches, keep finished nuggets warm in a 200°F oven so nobody eats cold ones.
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