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Quick Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets – Easy Homemade Recipe

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These quick crispy air fryer chicken nuggets from scratch are ready in under 20 minutes, using simple pantry ingredients. They’re perfectly golden and crunchy without deep frying, making them a weeknight dinner hero.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 large breasts)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional but recommended)
  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (fine sea salt)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Olive oil spray (for cooking)
  • Your favorite dipping sauces (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Prep the chicken: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Cut into 1-inch cubes (about 24 to 30 nuggets).
  2. Set up dredging station: In a shallow bowl, whisk egg and Dijon mustard until smooth. In another shallow bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  3. Coat the chicken: Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, letting excess drip off. Transfer to breadcrumb mixture and press firmly to coat all sides. Place on a baking sheet or wire rack.
  4. Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 2 to 3 minutes.
  5. Lightly spray air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Arrange nuggets in a single layer without touching (cook in batches if needed).
  6. Lightly spray tops of nuggets with olive oil spray. Cook at 400°F for 5 minutes. Flip nuggets, spray the other side, and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  7. Let nuggets rest on a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate for 2 minutes. Serve immediately with dipping sauces.

Notes

Don’t skip drying the chicken—wet chicken creates steam and prevents crispiness. Press the breadcrumbs firmly onto the chicken for a shatteringly crispy crust. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed. Flip nuggets halfway through cooking for even browning. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F. For oven-baked adaptation: bake at 425°F for 10 minutes, flip, spray, and bake another 8-10 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken nuggets, crispy chicken nuggets, homemade chicken nuggets, quick chicken nuggets, easy chicken nuggets, weeknight dinner, kid-friendly

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