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A bowl lined with newspaper-like paper holds a serving of golden, crispy fried snacks next to a small metal cup filled with orange dipping sauce. Sunlight highlights the food from above.
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5 from 4 votes

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

Crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, my Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets go from prep to plate in just 30 minutes.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Air Fryer Time8 minutes
Total Time38 minutes
Course: Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer chicken nuggets, air fryer tuna nuggets, chicken nuggets, healthy chicken nuggets
Servings: 11 nuggets
Author: The Modern Nonna

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 small chicken breasts cooked
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese grated
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Cook the chicken breast in boiling water (or broth) for about 15 minutes. Take it out and shred it.
    A glass bowl filled with shredded chicken and a raw egg yolk being poured over it, set on a wooden surface with kitchen items blurred in the background.
  • Let it cool a bit before adding it to a bowl with the grated cheese and one egg. Mix well until fully combined.
    A hand sprinkles shredded cheese into a glass bowl containing shredded chicken and cracked eggs, all set on a wooden surface in bright natural light.
  • Next, divide into 11-13 equal balls and shape into nuggets.
    A person holds a rectangular, uncooked snack that appears to be made from instant ramen noodles; more similar snacks rest on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the background.
  • Once shaped, spray the chicken nuggets with avocado oil spray and air-fry at 400F for 8-10 minutes or until golden.
    Six breaded nuggets are arranged in the basket of a black air fryer with a red handle, set on a wooden surface.
  • Note: if you cook them less, the meat will be more juicy and tender. If you cook them longer, the outside will be crispy, but the meat inside will be a bit more dry. You will have to experiment and cook to your liking.
  • Enjoy with plum, bbq, sweet and sour, or Mac sauce. We like to serve them with our Red Cabbage Slaw for lunch or dinner.
    A hand dips a golden, crispy nugget into a small cup of reddish sauce, with more nuggets and some fresh greens on a tray lined with printed parchment paper.

Video

Notes

  • Meat alternative: Save yourself 20 minutes of prep and pick up a rotisserie chicken! Break down the meat and shred the amount you need for the nuggets.
  • Seasonings: Feel free to play with different flavor profiles! Add in Italian seasoning and parm or ranch seasoning for an instant flavor boost.
  • Plant-based alternatives: Try making these air fryer nuggets with tempeh or jackfruit. Their texture mimics the texture of the shredded chicken really well. You'll also want to substitute mozzarella for your favorite plant-based cheese.
  • Egg substitute: For an egg-free option, you could aways use chia seeds as a binder. Put a tablespoon of seeds in a bowl and just cover with water. Once soft, you can use them as an egg substitute.  
  • Dipping sauces: There are so many options for dipping! Opt for marinara, BBQ, sweet and sour, Mac sauce, honey mustard, or ranch.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 nugget | Calories: 65kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.2g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 92mg | Potassium: 130mg | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 81IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 0.2mg
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