Ingredients
- 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 2/3 lb.)
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
Prep the Chicken
On a cutting board, cut 1 pound of chicken breast into 3/4-inch pieces (about 16–18 nuggets).
Sprinkle evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt, then dust with 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and toss to coat.
Make the Seasoned Breadcrumbs
In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Drizzle in 1 tablespoon cooking oil and stir until the crumbs resemble damp sand.
Set Up the Dredging Station
Pour 1/2 cup buttermilk into a second small bowl. Line up the seasoned chicken, buttermilk, and breadcrumbs.
Coat the Nuggets
Working one piece at a time, dip chicken in buttermilk, then transfer to the breadcrumbs.
Press gently to adhere and set the coated nuggets aside.
Preheat & Air-Fry
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
Arrange the nuggets in a single layer in the basket (cook in batches if needed).
Air-fry for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
Rest & Serve
Remove nuggets and let them rest for 3–5 minutes.
Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 2/3 lb.)
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
Instructions
- Cut chicken breast into 3/4-inch pieces.
- Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt, dust with flour, and toss to coat.
- Combine breadcrumbs, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl.
- Drizzle with cooking oil and stir until mixture resembles damp sand.
- Pour buttermilk into a small bowl.
- Line up seasoned chicken, buttermilk, and breadcrumbs.
- Dip chicken pieces in buttermilk, then coat with breadcrumbs.
- Press gently to adhere and set aside.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Arrange nuggets in a single layer in the basket.
- Air-fry for 8 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.
- Remove nuggets and let rest for 3–5 minutes.
- Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.