Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"> <li class="ingredients-single-item">500g boneless, skinless chicken breasts</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">120g panko breadcrumbs</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">40g all-purpose flour</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">2 large eggs</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp olive oil or cooking spray</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp garlic powder</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp onion powder</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp paprika</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1/2 tsp dried oregano</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp salt</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1/2 tsp black pepper</li> </ul>

<ul class="equipment-main-list"> <li class="equipment-single-item">Air fryer</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">3 shallow bowls for breading station</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Kitchen tongs</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Sharp knife</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Cutting board</li> </ul>

<ol class="no-list-style"> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4> Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then cut into even 3cm chunks. Uniform sizing ensures all nuggets cook at the same rate, giving you perfectly cooked pieces throughout. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4> Set up your breading station with three shallow bowls: one with flour seasoned with 1/4 tsp each of salt and pepper; one with beaten eggs; and one with panko breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, and remaining salt and pepper. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4> Working with a few pieces at a time, coat the chicken chunks in flour, shaking off excess (this initial dry coating helps the egg adhere better). Dip in beaten egg, allowing excess to drip off, then thoroughly coat in seasoned breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4> Preheat your air fryer to 200°C for 3 minutes. This preheating step is crucial for achieving that initial "sear" that helps create a crispy exterior. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4> Lightly brush or spray the breaded nuggets with olive oil – this helps achieve that golden-brown color and enhances crispiness by promoting better heat conduction throughout the breadcrumb coating. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4> Arrange nuggets in a single layer in your air fryer basket, making sure they don't touch each other. You'll likely need to cook in batches; overcrowding prevents proper air circulation and results in less crispy nuggets. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4> Cook at 200°C for 5 minutes, then flip each nugget and continue cooking for another 4-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature should reach 74°C for food safety. If you don't have a thermometer, cut into one nugget to ensure the meat is white throughout with no pink. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4> Transfer cooked nuggets to a wire rack rather than a plate to maintain crispiness while you finish the remaining batches. The air circulation beneath prevents condensation that can make the bottom soggy. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4> Serve immediately while hot and crispy with your favorite dipping sauces. These nuggets are best enjoyed fresh from the air fryer when they're at their crispiest! </li> </ol>