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

Making Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, and the results are just as delicious. The air fryer cuts the fat and calories in half, and the nuggets are tender and juicy on the inside, with a golden, crispy exterior. The secret to achieving that distinct Chick-fil-A flavour is to marinate the chicken in a combination of milk and pickle juice. The acid in the pickle juice tenderises the meat, and the salt acts as a brine. The coating is a simple flour mixture with a subtle sweetness from powdered sugar. The nuggets are then air-fried for around 10 minutes, and served with your favourite dipping sauce.

Marinating the chicken

Ingredients:

You will need boneless and skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces. The quantity may vary depending on your preference, but a typical recipe calls for around 2 pounds of chicken. Additionally, you will need a marinade of pickle juice and milk. Some recipes suggest adding eggs to this mixture as well. The ratio of milk to pickle juice can vary, but a common ratio is 1 cup of milk to 1/2 cup of pickle juice.

Marinating Process:

Place the chicken pieces in a bowl or a Ziploc bag. Add the milk and pickle juice marinade, ensuring all the chicken pieces are well-coated. Cover the bowl or seal the bag, and place it in the refrigerator. The marinating time can range from 30 minutes to overnight, depending on how intense you want the flavour to be. Longer marination times will result in a stronger flavour.

Additional Tips:

• If you don't have pickle juice, you can use buttermilk or a brine solution made with salt, sugar, and water.
• You can also add spices to your marinade for extra flavour. Suggested spices include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper.
• For a gluten-free option, swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free alternative.

Preparing the coating

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients

Firstly, you'll need to gather all the necessary ingredients for the coating. The exact ingredients and measurements may vary slightly depending on the recipe you're following, but the basic components typically include:

• Flour (all-purpose)
• Cornstarch
• Powdered sugar
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a shallow bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. This includes the flour, cornstarch, powdered sugar, and seasonings. Whisk or mix them together until they are fully incorporated and evenly distributed. This mixture will form the outer coating of your nuggets, giving them a crispy texture and a delicious flavour.

Step 3: Prepare the Breading Station

Set up your breading station by placing the bowl of dry ingredients next to your work area. You'll also need another shallow bowl filled with a wet mixture, typically a combination of egg and milk, which will help the coating adhere to the chicken. Whisk the egg and milk together until they are well combined.

Step 4: Coat the Chicken

Now, it's time to coat your chicken pieces. Using tongs or a fork, dip each piece of chicken into the wet mixture, ensuring it's fully coated. Then, transfer the chicken to the bowl with the dry ingredients and coat it thoroughly. Make sure to shake off any excess flour before placing the chicken in the air fryer basket. Repeat this process until all your chicken pieces are coated.

Step 5: Spray with Oil

Before placing the coated chicken into the air fryer, it's important to spray the basket lightly with oil. You can use a spray bottle filled with your preferred oil, such as olive oil or avocado oil. Avoid using aerosol spray oils, as they can damage the air fryer over time. Lightly spraying the basket will help ensure your nuggets don't stick and make cleanup easier.

Step 6: Arrange the Chicken in the Air Fryer

Place the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping or touching. Leave enough space between the nuggets to allow for proper air circulation. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the nuggets in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Step 7: Spray the Chicken with Oil

Once your chicken pieces are arranged in the air fryer, give them a light spray with oil. This will help the nuggets cook evenly and give them a golden, crispy exterior.

Now, your Chick-fil-A nuggets are ready to be cooked! Follow the instructions on your air fryer for the appropriate temperature and timing, typically cooking the nuggets for around 6-8 minutes at 360-390°F, flipping them halfway through. Enjoy your delicious, crispy nuggets!

Cooking the nuggets

Now that you've got your chicken pieces marinated in the fridge, it's time to get cooking!

First, preheat your air fryer to 375°F. While that's heating up, whisk a couple of eggs and add them to the bowl with your chicken. Mix it all together.

Next, prepare your flour mixture. Combine flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika in a shallow bowl or a large Ziploc bag. Give it a good mix or shake.

Now it's time to coat your chicken pieces. Using a slotted spoon, take half of your chicken pieces and place them in the flour mixture. Toss them until they're fully coated. Then, use a separate slotted spoon to remove the chicken and place it on a plate or cutting board. Repeat this process with the rest of your chicken.

Spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray and arrange your chicken inside, making sure they're in a single layer with a little space around each nugget. Spray the chicken with oil too.

Now, air fry your chicken for 7-8 minutes, or until they're golden brown and crispy. Remember to flip them halfway through!

And that's it! Your homemade Chick-fil-A nuggets are ready to serve. Enjoy them with your favourite dipping sauce.

Storing and reheating

You can also freeze your nuggets for a quick and easy meal later on. Place them on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer. Once they're frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or container. They will keep in the freezer for up to three months.

When you're ready to eat your frozen nuggets, you can cook them straight from frozen. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until heated through.

Alternatively, you can reheat your nuggets in the air fryer at 400°F for five minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Customisation and alternatives

The great thing about making your own Chick-fil-A nuggets at home is that you can customise them to your liking. You can make them gluten-free by swapping out the regular all-purpose flour for gluten-free flour. You can also experiment with different types of oil, such as olive oil, canola oil, or peanut oil, to find the one that gives the best results for you.

If you don't like pickles, you can try brining your chicken in a mixture of salt, sugar, and water instead of pickle juice. This will help to tenderise the meat and add a sweet and salty flavour.

There are endless possibilities for dipping sauces to customise your nuggets even further. You can use store-bought sauces or make your own, such as BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or a copycat Chick-fil-A sauce made from mayo, BBQ sauce, honey, mustard, and lemon juice.

If you want to make a larger batch of nuggets, you can cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding your air fryer. You can also freeze your cooked nuggets and reheat them in the air fryer for a quick and easy meal.

Finally, if you don't have an air fryer, you can bake your nuggets in the oven. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, place your nuggets on the sheet, spray them with cooking spray, and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping them once.

Frequently asked questions