Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets (Chick-Fil-A Copycat Recipe)
Chicken Nuggets aren’t just for kids, right? These crispy air-fried nuggets are so dang good that you may be making them weekly. They’re so similar to Chick-Fil-A but a better-for-you version, thanks to the beloved air fryer! Don’t skip out on the sauce either, because it’s pretty spot on to the real deal. Give these a try and thank me later.
We all love chicken nuggets, it’s okay to admit even as an adult. There’s something so good about Chick-Fil-A’s chicken nuggets that I wanted to re-create these at home to enjoy. The air-fryer really is a game changer to help make them extra crispy. When I find something that I really enjoy at a restaurant, I love the challenge to make it at home with my own twist and style of cooking. Sure, I could easily just head on over to CFA to get the chicken nuggets, but why do that when I can easily make them at home for a fraction of the cost and still have it fit into my nutrition goals? Now don’t get me wrong, if we happen to go out or are on the road, I’ll happily indulge in the CFA nuggets on the go. But in the meantime, I’m really happy with this copycat recipe, and I hope you will be too!
- 2 Small boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1" pieces (Or 1 large chicken breast)
- 1/4 cup Pickle Juice
- 1/4 cup Milk of choice (I use almond or coconut typically, buttermilk would also work)
- 1 Egg White (Can use the whole egg if you prefer)
- 1/3 cup All-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp Breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp Swerve confectioners sugar replacement (Can sub with regular confectioners sugar)
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Paprika
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp Sugar free BBQ sauce (I use Sweet Baby Ray's)
- 1 1/2 tsp Dijon Mustard
- 1 tsp Mayo
- 1 dash Garlic Powder
- 1 dash Onion Powder
- Place cubed chicken in a bowl with the pickle juice and milk and cover. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight.
- Using two bowls, add egg white to the first bowl, and in the second bowl add the flour, breadcrumbs, Swerve confectioners sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and salt and pepper. Mix to combine.
- After the chicken has rested in the refrigerator, take each cube and coat in the egg white first, then into the dry mix. Repeat process until all are coated and place into the air fryer basket that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.
- To help crisp up the nuggets, lightly spray the nuggets on top before placing into the air fryer. Cook at 360*F for about 16 minutes, flipping halfway.
- While the nuggets are cooking, make the “Better for you” Chick-Fil-A Sauce by combining all of the ingredients in a small ramekin and mixing together.
- The nuggets should be golden brown on both sides and cooked through. Serve with prepared sauce.
- I haven’t tried these in the oven, however I would presume they would work just as well. You may want to turn the oven up to about 400*F to ensure they become crispy.