Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Nuggets (copycat)

This recipe for air fryer Chick fil A nuggets is a quick and easy way to get your fix of this fast-food favorite without leaving the house. All you need is a few simple ingredients and an air fryer, and you can have crispy, juicy nuggets in minutes. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just treating yourself, these nuggets are sure to hit the spot.

How to make homemade Chick-fil-A nuggets in an air fryer

If you’re a fan of Chick-fil-A nuggets, then you’ll be happy to know that you can now make them at home using an air fryer.

This is a quick and easy way to enjoy your favorite nuggets without having to go to the restaurant. Plus, it’s a healthier option since you’re not deep frying them!

This delicious recipe is made with lean chicken breast and a few simple seasonings. They are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Plus, they are super easy to make. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have a batch of tasty homemade air fryer nuggets, Chick-fil-A-style, in no time at all!

Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce or add them to a salad or wrap for a quick and easy meal.

If you are looking for directions for air frying frozen chicken nuggets check out this post: How to cook frozen chicken nuggets in air fryer.

Scroll down for the printable card for this air fryer Chick-fil-A chicken nugget recipe, or read on for all the details.

Ingredients and substitutions

Chicken breast. Use boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1- to 2-inch pieces.

Dill pickle juice. This is the secret ingredient to getting that buttermilk style crispy outer coating, and getting the flavor just right.

Flour. Use all-purpose white flour. Gluten-free flour should also work for this recipe. However, I haven’t actually tested it yet! If you try making it with gluten-free flour please let me know in the comments how it turns out!

Seasoning. This recipe uses salt, black pepper, sugar, and paprika. You could add a little cayenne pepper if you want to make spicy nuggets.

Egg and milk. These combine with the flour to form the crispy batter coating that makes these chicken nuggets so tasty. If you are out of eggs you can use mayo in a pinch. Substitute 3 heaped teaspoons of mayo in place of the egg and whisk the milk into it gradually so it combines without forming lumps.

Olive oil spray. Choose an oil spray that spritzes rather than an aerosol spray, and try to avoid using generic cooking spray (as both of these can damage the non-stick coating of your air fryer basket).

How to make the BEST copycat Chick-fil-A nuggets in you air fryer

There are three key steps to getting these copycat air fryer Chick-fil-A nuggets just right:

1. Marinate the chicken in pickle juice:

• Cut the chicken into 1-2 inch pieces, then place in a large zip-lock bag with the dill pickle juice. Seal and leave to marinate in the refrigerator for at least one hour (ideally up to 6 hours).
• Drain the pickle juice from the chicken and discard.

2. Batter the chicken

• Mix milk and egg together in a bowl and add the marinated chicken pieces.
• Mix the flour and seasonings together in another large (gallon size) zip-lock bag.
• Strain the chicken pieces, then add to the bag with the flour mixture.
• Seal the bag and shake until the chicken is completely coated.

3. Air fry nuggets

• Preheat the air fryer to 370°F/ 190°C.
• Prepare the air fryer basket by brushing or spritzing with olive oil. Place the chicken pieces onto the chicken basket and spritz with oil spray.
• Air fry chicken nuggets for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping and re-spritzing the nuggets halfway through the cooking time.
• Cook the nuggets in the air fryer until they are golden brown and have reached at least 165°F/ 74°C in the center of the largest nuggets (use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature).

Serving

Serve them as a snack with your favorite dipping sauce. Chick fil A sauce is an excellent choice, of course, but BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or tomato ketchup are all solid choices.

Storing and reheating

Store any leftover chicken nuggets in an airtight container in the fridge and use within 3 days.

To reheat your chicken nuggets in the air fryer, place them in the basket and air fry for 4-5 minutes until they have reached 165°F/ 74°C in the center.

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