Air-Fryer Grilled Chicken Nuggets: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Chicken nuggets are a beloved food for both children and adults. Making them in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying or baking, and they can be made in under 20 minutes. This article will outline the ingredients and steps to make delicious, crispy, and juicy grilled chicken nuggets in an air fryer.

Choosing your chicken pieces

Choosing the right chicken pieces is crucial to making delicious grilled chicken nuggets in an air fryer. Here are some tips to help you select the best chicken pieces for this recipe:

Type of Chicken

When making chicken nuggets, it is best to use boneless and skinless chicken. You can choose between chicken breasts or chicken thighs. Chicken breasts are leaner and have a milder flavour, while chicken thighs have a higher fat content, which can make them juicier and more challenging to overcook.

Cutting the Chicken

Before coating your chicken pieces, cut them into uniform, bite-sized pieces. Aim for a size of around 1 inch (2.5 cm) for chicken thighs and 3/4 inch (2 cm) for chicken breasts. This will ensure that your nuggets cook evenly and are easy to eat.

Brining (Optional)

Brining your chicken pieces in a solution of pickle juice or buttermilk is optional but can add flavour and moisture to your nuggets. If you decide to brine, combine your chicken pieces with the brining liquid of choice for 20 to 30 minutes in the refrigerator.

Fresh or Frozen

You can use fresh or frozen chicken for this recipe. If you're short on time, fresh chicken is a good option. However, if you're preparing a large batch, freezing your chicken nuggets before cooking can save time and effort. Just be sure to thaw them properly before coating and air frying.

Quality and Source

Whenever possible, opt for organic chicken from a trusted source. This can ensure that your chicken is of good quality and has been raised and processed following ethical and sustainable practices.

Preparing the coating

Firstly, grab two shallow bowls. In one bowl, whisk together an egg and some milk. You can also add some spices to this mixture if you like. In a separate bowl, combine your dry ingredients. This will typically include flour, cornstarch, breadcrumbs, and spices. You can also add some grated parmesan cheese to this mixture for added flavour. If you're using pre-shredded cheese, it's a good idea to briefly process it in a food processor for a more uniform coating.

Once you've prepared your coating mixture, you can start dipping your chicken pieces. Using tongs or your hands, coat the chicken pieces in the egg mixture, and then transfer them to the bowl with the dry ingredients. Ensure that the chicken is evenly coated before placing them in the air fryer basket.

It's important to note that the coating process may vary slightly depending on the specific recipe you are following. Some recipes may include additional ingredients or steps to enhance the flavour and texture of the coating.

Cooking the nuggets

Now that your chicken pieces are coated, it's time to cook them in the air fryer. Place the chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overlapping. Spray the tops of the chicken with a light coating of oil. You can use a spray oil for this, or a light drizzle of oil. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this will prevent the hot air from circulating and crisping up the nuggets. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the nuggets in batches.

Close the air fryer basket and set the temperature to between 360-400°F. The cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer, but on average, the nuggets will take around 8-12 minutes to cook. Flip the nuggets halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking. After flipping, you can spray any flour spots on the chicken with a little more oil to help them crisp up.

Once the nuggets are golden brown and crispy, check that they are cooked to your liking. You can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach 165°F. If you prefer your nuggets a little darker, increase the heat to 400°F and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

And that's it! Your homemade air fryer chicken nuggets are now ready to be served. Enjoy them with your favourite dipping sauce, such as BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or ranch dressing.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve air-fried chicken nuggets. You can serve them with a variety of dipping sauces, such as ranch dressing, marinara, barbecue sauce, sweet and sour sauce, honey mustard, or ketchup. You can also serve them with lemon wedges and a crisp green salad on the side. If you're looking for more side dish ideas, try oven-baked steak fries, air fryer sweet potato fries, homemade mac and cheese, sautéed vegetables, or a pasta salad.

Reheating and storing

Chicken nuggets can be reheated in the air fryer and this is the best method to use. It's quick, easy, and the results are delicious—the nuggets will be as crispy and juicy as when you first cooked them.

To reheat chicken nuggets in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350°F/180°C. Place the nuggets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C. Flip the nuggets over halfway through the cooking time. You can spray the nuggets with a small amount of oil to make them crispier.

It's best not to store reheated chicken nuggets. To avoid waste, only reheat the amount you need. If you have leftover uncooked nuggets, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. You can also freeze them for up to two months.

To reheat frozen chicken nuggets, place them in a single layer in a preheated air fryer at 400°F/200°C and cook for 5-7 minutes. Flip them over and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until heated through.

Frequently asked questions