Air Fryer Chick-Fil-A Nuggets: Crispy, Quick, And Easy!

If you're craving Chick-fil-A nuggets but don't want to leave the house (or can't get to one), you can make your own at home using an air fryer. The key to getting that signature Chick-fil-A flavour is to marinate your chicken pieces in buttermilk and dill pickle juice. You can then coat the chicken in a flour and seasoning mixture, air fry, and serve with your favourite dipping sauce.

Chicken preparation

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to prepare the chicken:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Chicken tenders (optional)
• Buttermilk
• Egg
• Dill pickle juice
• Milk
• Raw chicken tenders
• All-purpose flour
• Powdered sugar
• Cornstarch
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Granulated sugar (optional)
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Paprika

Brining/Marinating the Chicken

Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. In a medium bowl, combine the buttermilk, egg, and dill pickle juice. Whisk until smooth. You can also add granulated sugar to the brine for a hint of sweetness. Submerge the chicken pieces in the brine, cover, and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight. The longer the chicken soaks, the stronger the pickle flavour will be.

Preparing the Coating

In a shallow bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Whisk to combine.

Coating the Chicken

Remove the chicken pieces from the brine, letting any excess liquid drain off. Transfer the chicken to the egg and milk mixture, ensuring they are fully coated. Then, transfer the dripping wet chicken to the flour mixture and toss well, making sure they are coated on all sides.

Resting the Chicken

Let the breaded chicken nuggets sit for about 10 minutes before cooking. This allows the breading to set.

Cooking the Chicken

Preheat your air fryer to between 360-390°F. Spritz the air fryer basket with oil. Place the chicken nuggets in the basket, ensuring they are not touching. Spritz the nuggets with oil, making sure all parts are coated. Air fry for 5-6 minutes, then flip the nuggets and spritz with oil again. Air fry for another 4-6 minutes until golden brown and crispy. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Tips

• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary.
• Use a non-propellant olive oil spray to avoid blasting the flour off the chicken.
• If you don't have buttermilk, you can add a tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to whole cow's milk or heavy cream.
• You can use any oil with a high smoke point, such as olive oil, canola oil, or peanut oil. Avoid using extra virgin olive oil.

Marinade

Marinating the chicken is a crucial step in achieving the signature Chick-fil-A nugget flavour. The chicken pieces should be submerged in a mixture of buttermilk, milk, or egg, and dill pickle juice. The pickle juice is the key ingredient, adding a tangy, slightly sour flavour to the chicken and replicating the distinctive taste of Chick-fil-A nuggets. It also helps to tenderise the meat, resulting in juicy nuggets.

The chicken should be marinated for at least 30 minutes, but for the best results, it is recommended to leave it overnight in the refrigerator. This allows the flavours to truly develop and the chicken to become extra tender.

Some recipes also suggest adding a small amount of sugar, garlic powder, or onion powder to the brine to enhance the flavour.

Coating

The coating is a crucial step in achieving the signature Chick-fil-A nugget flavour and texture. Here's a detailed guide on how to coat your chicken pieces to perfection:

Start by preparing two separate mixtures: the wet mixture and the dry mixture. For the wet mixture, grab a shallow bowl and whisk together egg and milk until well combined. You can also add a little pickle juice to this mixture for an extra tang. In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, cornstarch, powdered sugar, and seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Whisk everything together until evenly mixed.

Now, it's time to coat the chicken! First, dip each chicken piece into the wet mixture, ensuring it's fully coated. Then, transfer the wet chicken piece to the dry mixture. Use a spoon or your hands to generously coat the chicken with the flour mixture. Make sure every inch is covered. Gently shake off any excess flour and place the coated chicken piece into your air fryer basket. Repeat this process until your air fryer basket is full, making sure the chicken pieces are not overlapping or touching.

Once your air fryer basket is loaded, give the chicken pieces a light spray with oil. This step helps the nuggets get that golden, crispy texture. Close the air fryer basket and get ready to start cooking!

Cooking

Now for the fun part! It's time to cook your chicken nuggets. Here's a step-by-step guide to making Chick-fil-A nuggets in an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. You can use either chicken breasts or chicken tenders, but make sure they are boneless and skinless. Place the chicken pieces into a bowl or ziplock bag and cover them with the brine mixture (buttermilk, pickle juice, and any brine seasonings). Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight for maximum flavour and tenderness.

Step 2: Prepare the Breading

In one bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: milk, egg, and possibly another egg. In a separate bowl or ziplock bag, combine the dry ingredients: flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch (if using), garlic powder, onion powder (if using), paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

Take the chicken pieces out of the brine, letting any excess liquid drain off. Dip each piece into the wet mixture, making sure they are fully coated. Then, transfer the wet chicken pieces to the dry mixture and toss until they are evenly coated.

Step 4: Air Fry

Preheat your air fryer to between 360-390°F (180-200°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil, peanut oil, or another high smoke point oil. Place the chicken nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. Spray the tops of the nuggets with oil.

Air fry for 5-6 minutes, then flip the nuggets and spray again with oil. Continue cooking for another 4-6 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure doneness.

Step 5: Serve

Remove the cooked nuggets from the air fryer and serve them hot with your favourite dipping sauces. Enjoy the fruits of your labour!

Sauces

The most iconic sauce to pair with these nuggets is, of course, the Chick-fil-A sauce. You can make your own by combining mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, honey, yellow mustard, and lemon juice. This creamy, golden sauce is the perfect dip for these nuggets, and it's easy to whip up with ingredients you likely already have in your fridge.

If you're looking for other options, ranch dressing and honey mustard are also popular choices. You can also mix and match, like combining ranch and BBQ sauce for a unique blend. For a spicy kick, try dipping your nuggets in Peri Peri Sauce or Sriracha Fry Sauce. If you're a blue cheese fan, go for a Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing.

Don't be afraid to experiment and create your own signature sauce to go with your homemade Chick-fil-A nuggets.

Frequently asked questions