Air fryer chicken nuggets are absolute perfection! This Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Nuggets are super flavorful, crispy on the outside, tender on the inside and tasty chicken nuggets just like Chick-fil-A!
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Chicken – 2 lb of Boneless Chicken breast, cut into 1 to 2 inch pieces (about 4 chicken breasts)
Pickle Juice – 1.5 cups Pickle Juice (any type), used to marinate the chicken pieces
Flour – 1.5 cups All-purpose flour / Plain flour
Egg – 1 large Egg
Milk – 1 cup Whole Milk or 2 % milk
Seasoning – Paprika, Onion powder, Garlic powder, Pepper powder, Powder sugar and Salt
Air Fryer model – Instant Vortex plus 10 QT
HERE ARE MY STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS WITH PHOTOS
STEP 1 : Chicken Marination
- Cut chicken breasts into 1 to 2 inch cubes (nugget-sized pieces).
- Place the chicken pieces in a bowl or ziplock, pour 1.5 cups of pickle juice, mix well and make sure all the pieces are submerged under liquid.
- Marinate for 30 mins to 2 hours in refrigerator, or prepare ahead and marinate for overnight.
STEP 2 :
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together milk and egg.
- Take a separate bowl add all purpose flour, spices – paprika, onion, garlic, pepper powders, 2 tbsp of powder sugar and salt. Mix well.
- Drain chicken pieces and toss them in flour mixture. Shake off the excess flour and dip in egg mixture.
STEP 3 :
- Take out and toss again in flour mixture (double breading). Keep aside in a tray or plate. Repeat same method for all the remaining pieces.
- Allow to rest for 3 to 5 mins, so that dry flour will absorb all the moisture. This process helps us to get a golden color nuggets while air frying.
STEP 4 : Instant vortex Air Fryer Method
- Preheat air fryer at 370*F for 6 mins.
- Meanwhile, spray cooking oil to the tray and place the chicken pieces in a single row with a little space in between. Apply cooking spray again.
STEP 5 :
- Once preheat completed, open air fryer and make sure dripping tray is place at the bottom.
- Insert the food tray in the middle rack and continue cooking for 6 mins at 370*F.
STEP 6 : Final Preparation
- Once cooking done take out the tray, flip the nuggets and spray cooking oil. Air fry for 2 mins at 400*F (for crispy outer-layer).
- Air fry remaining pieces in batches (I cooked in 3 batches).
STEP 7 : Serving
Enjoy this delicious chicken nuggets hot with a dipping sauce on the side.
TIPS AND TRICKS
Variation: You can make these chicken nuggets without marinating in pickle juice. Sprinkle some salt and pepper to the chicken pieces and give a good mix. Then follow the remaining process from step 2.
Dredge well: Using hands or tongs, make sure to press flour mixture well on all sides of the chicken nuggets to help it adhere well and give a thicker coating.
Do not over crowd the air fryer basket: Place chicken nuggets in a single layer, and leave a little space around for the air to circulate, which helps in crisping the nugget. OVER CROWDING will NOT make a crispy chicken nugget.
OUR LATEST FEATURED VIDEO
Air fryer Chic-fil-A Chicken Nuggets Copycat Recipe
Description
Air fryer chicken nuggets are absolute perfection! This Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Nuggets are super flavorful, crispy on the outside, tender on the inside and tasty chicken nuggets just like Chick-fil-A!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cut chicken breasts into 1 to 2 inch cubes (nugget-sized pieces).
- Place the chicken pieces in a bowl or ziplock, pour 1.5 cups of pickle juice, mix well and make sure all the pieces are submerged under liquid.
- Marinate for 30 mins to 2 hours in refrigerator, or prepare ahead and marinate for overnight.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together milk and egg.
- Take a separate bowl add all purpose flour, spices – paprika, onion, garlic, pepper powders, 2 tbsp of powder sugar and salt. Mix well.
- Drain chicken pieces and toss them in flour mixture. Shake off the excess flour and dip in egg mixture.
- Take out and toss again in flour mixture (double breading). Keep aside in a tray or plate. Repeat same method for all the remaining pieces.
- Allow to rest for 3 to 5 mins, so that dry flour will absorb all the moisture. This process helps us to get a golden color nuggets while air frying.
- Preheat air fryer at 370*F for 6 mins.
- Meanwhile, spray cooking oil to the tray and place the chicken pieces in a single row with a little space in between. Apply cooking spray again.
- Once preheat completed, open air fryer and make sure dripping tray is place at the bottom.
- Insert the food tray in the middle rack and continue cooking for 6 mins at 370*F.
- Once cooking done take out the tray, flip the nuggets and spray cooking oil. Air fry for 2 mins at 400*F (for crispy outer-layer).
- Air fry remaining pieces in batches (I cooked in 3 batches).
- Enjoy this delicious chicken nuggets hot with a dipping sauce on the side.
Chicken Marination
Dry and Wet Mixture
Instant vortex Air Fryer Method
Final Preparation
Serving
Notes & Tips
- Variation: You can make these chicken nuggets without marinating in pickle juice. Sprinkle some salt and pepper to the chicken pieces and give a good mix. Then follow the remaining process from step 2.
- Dredge well: Using hands or tongs, make sure to press flour mixture well on all sides of the chicken nuggets to help it adhere well and give a thicker coating.
- Do not over crowd the air fryer basket: Place chicken nuggets in a single layer, and leave a little space around for the air to circulate, which helps in crisping the nugget. OVER CROWDING will NOT make a crispy chicken nugget.