Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Nuggets (Copycat)
https://fryit.co/air-fryer-chick-fil-a-nuggets/Get ready for a finger-licking feast with our Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Nuggets! These crispy, juicy chicken bites are an excellent copycat of the famous fast-food restaurant's nuggets. With a tangy dipping sauce and easy-to-follow steps, you'll have a delightful meal cooked to perfection in your air fryer.
Makes 2
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- Avocado oil
Marinade
- 1/2 cup dill pickle juice
- 1.5 tablespoons sugar
Dredge
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Wet batter
- 1 large egg beaten
Dipping sauce
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/3 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt
Instructions
- Slice the chicken into cubes. As much as possible, cut them into equal sizes so they cook evenly.
- Combine dill pickle juice and sugar. In a bowl, combine the dill pickle juice and sugar. Mix until the sugar dissolves.
- Marinate the chicken. Add the chicken cubes to the mixture and let them soak and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or even better, overnight. This will give your nuggets that classic Chick-fil-A flavor!
- Prepare the breading station. Combine the dredge ingredients in a food storage container: flour, salt, powdered sugar, garlic powder, paprika, and pepper. In a small bowl, crack and beat the egg.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF (204ºC) for 5 minutes. This will ensure your nuggets cook evenly and get that golden crunch.
- Bread the chicken nuggets. Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess liquid to drip off before adding them to the dredge. Next, place the chicken in the dredge container and shake until fully coated. Dip each chicken nugget in the beaten egg, one by one. Finally, transfer the nuggets to the same dredge container, allowing the excess egg to drip off and shake well.
- Transfer the breaded nuggets to the air fryer. Arrange the breaded nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray the nuggets with avocado oil.
- Air fry the Chick-fil-A nuggets at 400ºF (204ºC) for 10 - 12 minutes. Flip halfway through and spray with more oil if necessary.
- Prepare the copycat Chick-fil-A dipping sauce. Mix the mayonnaise, dijon mustard, honey, BBQ sauce, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Stir well until you have a smooth and tasty dipping sauce.
- Once done, remove the nuggets from the air fryer and let them cool slightly for about 5 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy your Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Nuggets with the delightful dipping sauce.
Notes
- When spraying the breaded chicken, ensure all white spots are coated with oil. The same applies when flipping it.
- Remember that cooking durations may differ depending on the chicken’s thickness and your air fryer’s size and model. Before serving, ensure it has been cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC).
- If your air fryer doesn't have a preheating option, you can set the temperature to 380°F (193°C) and then let it cook for 4-5 minutes without food.
- You can skip preheating by adding 2-4 minutes to your cooking time. Increment gradually to prevent burning the air fryer Chick-fil-A nuggets.
- I used a 6-quart (air fryer) to test the chicken nuggets. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the number of servings you are making. For optimal results, begin with the lower end of the suggested cooking time.
Nutrition
Calories: 1024kcal | Carbohydrates: 106g | Protein: 61g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 19g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 253mg | Sodium: 3244mg | Potassium: 1152mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 842IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 6mg
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