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Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets on white napkin with pickles and glass of water
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Brined in pickle juice, these tender and juicy air fryer chicken nuggets are easy, delicious, and incredibly addicting. Perfect for a quick snack or meal any time of day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs chicken tenderloins
  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • 1 TBSP onion powder
  • 1 TBSP garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 2 cups pickle brine from a jar of dill pickles If you aren’t brining your chicken you can ignore this ingredient

Instructions

  1. Place your chicken into a deep container with a lid or a gallon-size zip-top bag. Slowly pour the pickle brine over it until the chicken is fully immersed. Pop it into the fridge and let it brine for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
  2. Preheat the air fryer to 400º F.
  3. Take the chicken out of the fridge. With tongs transfer the tenderloins to a paper towel-lined plate or cutting board then gently pat them with more paper towels to remove excess moisture and brine. Cut them into 1-inch pieces.
  4. Set up a breading station with a dish for flour one for the beaten eggs and another for seasoned breadcrumbs.
  5. Toss the chicken bites into the flour followed by the egg and then the breadcrumbs.
  6. When the air fryer reaches 400º F spritz the air fryer basket with a bit of non-stick cooking oil. Transfer the nuggets into the basket spritz the tops with cooking oil.
  7. Air fry the chicken nuggets for 6 minutes flipping halfway through. Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer at 6 minutes aiming for 160-165º F. Continue air frying in 2 minute increments if needed until ready.
  8. Carefully transfer cooked nuggets from the air fryer basket to a plate. Repeat until all chicken nuggets are cooked.

Notes

  • Be sure to check out the post above for tips storage and freezing suggestions and serving ideas!

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.amgroyal.com/air-fryer-chicken-nuggets/