Air-Fryer Chicken Chunks: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Chicken chunks in an air fryer are a quick and easy meal to make, perfect for a weeknight dinner. They're a healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken, with a crispy coating and juicy, tender meat. You can marinate the chicken in buttermilk or pickle juice before coating in a dry mixture of flour, breadcrumbs and seasonings, and they're ready to eat in under 20 minutes. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce, such as BBQ, ranch or honey mustard, and sides like sweet potato fries or a classic mac and cheese.

Chicken preparation

Ingredients

You will need:

• Chicken breasts or chicken thighs (boneless and skinless)
• Eggs
• Breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
• Parmesan cheese
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Other seasonings of your choice (e.g. garlic powder, paprika, dried oregano, red pepper flakes)

Cutting the Chicken

Start by cutting your chicken into bite-sized pieces or chunks. Aim for pieces that are roughly equal in size, as this will help them cook more evenly. Cut the chicken into strips about ½ inch thick, and then cut each strip into 2 to 3 nuggets. Alternatively, you can cut the chicken into larger chunks of about 1 to 2 inches in size for juicier chicken.

Marinating (Optional)

Place the cut chicken into a bowl or ziplock bag and add pickle juice or buttermilk. Allow the chicken to marinate for 20 to 30 minutes. The longer it soaks, the stronger the flavour will be.

Breading

Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls or dishes. In the first bowl, place flour, salt, and pepper; mix lightly. You can also add other seasonings of your choice to this mixture. In the second bowl, add an egg or two, and beat lightly. In the third bowl, combine breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. You can also add other ingredients to the breadcrumb mixture, such as dried parsley or red pepper flakes.

Coating the Chicken

Take each piece of chicken and coat it in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the beaten egg, and finally, coat it with the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure to press lightly after each step to help the coating adhere.

Cooking the Chicken

Preheat your air fryer to between 360 to 400°F. Place the coated chicken pieces into the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each piece to allow for proper air circulation. Spray the chicken with olive oil or cooking spray.

Cook the chicken for about 6 to 8 minutes, then open the air fryer and flip the pieces. Spray the tops again with cooking spray, and cook for an additional 2 to 7 minutes, depending on the size of your nuggets and your desired level of crispiness. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Serving

Remove the chicken nuggets from the air fryer using tongs and place them on a plate to cool. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce, such as barbecue sauce, ranch, or honey mustard. Enjoy!

Breading

Next, prepare your breading station. You will need three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, place flour, salt, and pepper; mix lightly. You can also add other seasonings to this bowl, such as paprika, garlic powder, or dried oregano. In the second bowl, add an egg and beat it lightly. In the third bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and parsley flakes. You can also add red pepper flakes for a little heat. Mix the ingredients in the third bowl together.

Now you are ready to start breading! Take a piece of chicken and coat it in the flour mixture, then dip it into the beaten egg, and finally, coat it with the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure to press lightly after each step to help the coating adhere. Repeat this process for all your chicken pieces.

Once all your chicken chunks are breaded, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer and cooked to golden perfection!

Cooking method

Ingredients

• Boneless chicken breasts or thighs
• Eggs
• Breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Olive oil spray
• Optional: butter, flour, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, dried parsley, cayenne pepper, cheese (parmesan)

Dipping sauces

Chicken chunks cooked in an air fryer can be served with a variety of dipping sauces. Here are some ideas:

Sweet and Sour Sauce

This sauce can be made using apple jelly or citrus herb jelly, lemon or orange marmalade, white vinegar, soy sauce, granulated garlic, a pinch of cayenne powder, and salt and pepper.

Honey Mustard Sauce

A simple sauce made with Dijon mustard, a pinch of salt, and pepper.

BBQ Sauce

A classic sauce that pairs well with chicken.

Ranch Dressing

A creamy and herby sauce that can be made at home or store-bought.

Marinara or Pizza Sauce

A tomato-based sauce adds a tangy twist to the chicken chunks.

Chick-fil-A Sauce

A special sauce that is a favourite with chicken nuggets.

Garlic Parmesan Sauce

A garlicky, cheesy sauce that complements the chicken chunks perfectly.

Ketchup

A traditional favourite, ketchup adds a sweet and tangy flavour to the chicken.

Honey or Hot Honey

For those with a sweet tooth, honey makes a great dipping sauce, and adding a bit of spice creates a nice kick.

French Fry Dipping Sauce

A classic sauce for fries that also goes well with chicken chunks.

Kung Pao Sauce and Orange Sauce

These Asian-inspired sauces add a tangy and spicy kick to the chicken.

Tzatziki Sauce

A Greek-style yoghurt-based sauce with cucumber, garlic, dill, olive oil, and vinegar.

Chicken Dipping Sauce

A combination of avocado-oil-based mayonnaise, mustard, honey, BBQ sauce, and a variety of spices.

Store-Bought Options

Panda Express, P.F. Chang’s, and Kikkomen are some popular brands that offer a range of sauces that can be paired with chicken chunks.

Reheating and storage

Air fryer chicken chunks can be reheated in the air fryer itself. Set the air fryer to 350°F and reheat the chicken chunks for 3-4 minutes. You can also reheat them in a microwave for a couple of minutes, but the breading might not get crispy.

If you have any leftover chicken chunks, they should be stored in an airtight container or sealed zipper bag and placed in the fridge for up to 3 days.

You can also freeze the chicken chunks for later. Allow them to cool completely, then freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat them, let them thaw on the counter or overnight in the fridge, then reheat them in the air fryer or oven.

Frequently asked questions