Chicken Nuggets In The Air Fryer

These Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets are so easy, only requiring a couple ingredients, and seriously come out so crispy and delicious! If you are ever craving a crispy fast-food style chicken nugget, this healthy recipe is for you. The pickle brine in this recipe is the secret ingredient to making the best nuggets. This recipe literally takes like Chick-Fil-A chicken minus all of the crazy additives and junk! Your whole family, including the kids, will be begging for these nuggets!

 

What Makes This Recipe So Good?

• These Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets come out perfectly crispy. 
• Kids will love these! 
• Prep is simple. While the chicken is soaking in the pickle brine, you can get any side dishes or sauces ready. 
• Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets make a great snack or meal. 
• This recipe is naturally gluten free, grain free, dairy free, paleo, soy free, and refined sugar free. This recipe can also be made AIP friendly (autoimmune protocol).  
• There are a variety of side dish recipes on my website. Pick your favorite to serve with these chicken nuggets. 
• If you are in the Pittsburgh area and would like to get these chicken nuggets delivered right to your front door, check out my weekly meal prep menu. We feature new, allergen friendly dishes every week. 

Recipe Ingredients

• Chicken breast– You can use fresh chicken breasts or frozen chicken breasts. If you use frozen, you will have to let them completely thaw before using. I love to get my meat (and seafood) from Butcher Box. I get a delivery once a month and their products are seriously the best quality! Use my Butcher Box link to get a free essentials bundle every month, with your order.  You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer your chicken to be more juicy.
• Pickle brine- This is the secret to the BEST chicken nuggets. This tenderizes the meat while also keeping it super juicy. 
• Cassava flour- I only use Otto’s brand – not all cassava flour is the same! I buy it in bulk, so that I always have some on hand. This is the best way to get things nice and crispy. When combined with the seasonings, this will create the perfect breading for your chicken nuggets. Note that not all cassava flour is created equally so I only suggest using Otto’s.
• Coconut milk- Keeps the chicken moist during the air frying process. 
• Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika- The seasonings for the nuggets. This mixture will crisp up so well in the air fryer, when combined with the cassava flour. 

How To Make

• Step 1

  • Cut the chicken into 1.5 inch pieces. Place in a large bowl. Add pickle brine. 

• Step 2

  • Let the chicken soak in the pickle brine for 30-45 minutes.

• Step 3

  • While the chicken is soaking, combine cassava flour, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir together. 

• Step 4

  • When the chicken is done soaking, dunk each piece of chicken in the coconut milk then directly in the cassava flour mixture. Make sure each piece is fully coated. 

• Step 5

  • Spray your air fryer with cooking oil spray. Add the chicken pieces to the air fryer in a single layer. Cook in multiple batches, if needed. Cook for 7 minutes at 400 degrees F.

• Step 6

  • After 7 minutes, flip each nugget and cook for another 7 minutes at 400 degrees F. 

 

• Step 7

  • Serve with your favorite dipping sauce. 

Recipe FAQ’s

• What Can I Serve With These? 

  • There are so many options. I would recommend Whole30 Greek Salad, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes, or Blanched Broccoli.

• Can I Save Leftovers? 

  • Yes. Leftover chicken nuggets can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350 degrees F, at 5 minutes increments, shaking the air fryer basket frequently. 

• What Kind Of Air Fryer Do You Use? 

  • I have a Ninja Foodi 11-1. It has 11 different functions, so it can be used for just about anything. I love it!

• What Kind Of Dipping Sauce Do You Use? 

  • I like to use ketchup or homemade Whole30 Ranch. 

• Can I Use Chicken Thighs?

  • Absolutely! The thighs will make the chicken more juicy and prevent it from drying out. 

• Can I Make These Without Breading?

  • If you want chicken nuggets without breading I suggest checking out the Keto Chicken Tenders on my blog. You can easily still brine the chicken with the pickle juice if you make them without the breading. This gives them so much flavor. 

• Can I Freeze These?

  • Yes! You can make these frozen. I suggest freezing them in a single layer and separating them with wax paper. They can be stored in the freezer for up to a month.

Chef’s Tips

• Don’t soak the chicken in the pickle brine longer than 1 hour. It will become overly salty and mushy. 30-45 minutes is the perfect amount of time. 

 

If you like this recipe you will LOVE

• Keto Chicken Tenders
• Crispy Garlic Chicken Thighs
• Gluten Free Fried Shrimp
• Crispy Buffalo Wings
• Crispy Bacon Chicken Ranch Wraps

If you enjoyed this recipe it would mean the world to me if you rated it and left a comment below. It helps others find it on google.xoxo-Allianna