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Crispy Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets Air Fried Recipe Easy and Perfect

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This recipe recreates the iconic Chick-fil-A nuggets using an air fryer for a healthier, crispy, and juicy bite. It features a tangy pickle juice marinade and a seasoned flour coating for perfect crunch without deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup milk or buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons pickle juice
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Vegetable oil or olive oil spray

Instructions

  1. Cut the chicken breasts into 1 to 1.5-inch bite-sized pieces.
  2. In a bowl, combine the milk or buttermilk with the pickle juice. Submerge the chicken pieces in this mixture and marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
  3. In a separate shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
  4. Remove the chicken from the marinade one piece at a time, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour, pressing gently to create a thick coating. Shake off any excess flour and place coated pieces on a plate or rack.
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  6. Place the coated nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding. Lightly spray the nuggets with oil.
  7. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through (around 6 minutes), until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  8. Let the nuggets rest for 1-2 minutes before serving.

Notes

For extra crispy nuggets, press the flour coating firmly onto the chicken. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to maintain crispiness. Use oil spray lightly to mimic deep-fried texture. Marinating overnight enhances flavor. If no air fryer, bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chick-fil-A nuggets, air fryer nuggets, crispy chicken nuggets, copycat recipe, easy chicken nuggets, homemade nuggets, air fried chicken

Find it online: https://grubella.com/crispy-copycat-chick-fil-a-nuggets-air-fried-recipe-easy-and-perfect/