Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets (Print Version)

Juicy chicken pieces coated in panko breadcrumbs, air fried to crispy perfection with savory spices.

# 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

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Whisk together 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 or up to 2 hours.
02 - Combine panko breadcrumbs, olive oil (or cooking spray), Parmesan cheese if using, paprika, and salt in a shallow dish. Stir until evenly mixed.
03 - Set air fryer to 400°F and preheat for 3 minutes.
04 - Remove chicken pieces from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Coat each piece thoroughly in the panko mixture, pressing lightly to adhere.
05 - Place coated chicken nuggets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook in batches if necessary.
06 - Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking, until nuggets are golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
07 - Remove nuggets from the air fryer and serve immediately with your preferred dipping sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The panko gets impossibly crispy without a single drop of frying oil, so you can feel good about seconds.
  • The buttermilk marinade keeps the chicken so tender and juicy, even picky eaters ask for more.
  • Cleanup is a breeze compared to traditional frying, and your kitchen stays grease-free.
  • You can prep the nuggets ahead and air fry them straight from the fridge when hunger strikes.
02 -
  • Don't skip the marinating step, even 15 minutes makes a noticeable difference in how juicy the chicken stays.
  • Flip the nuggets halfway through cooking or the bottom side won't crisp up properly.
  • Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer, undercooked chicken is never worth the risk.
  • If your air fryer runs hot, start checking at 10 minutes to avoid drying them out.
03 -
  • Press the panko onto the chicken firmly so it doesn't fall off during cooking, but don't mash it into a paste.
  • Spray the coated nuggets lightly with cooking spray before air frying for an even crispier, more golden finish.
  • Use a wire rack inside the air fryer basket if you have one, it helps air circulate underneath for extra crunch.
  • Marinate overnight for the most tender, flavorful chicken you've ever tasted.
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