Air Fryer Chick-Fil-A Nuggets

These Air Fryer ChickFilA Chicken Nuggets capture the juicy tenderness and crispy coating of the original fast food favorite without the deepfrying mess or extra oil. They come together quickly and make a perfect appetizer or main that the whole family will love.

I first made this recipe when craving ChickFilA but not wanting to leave the house. It quickly became a goto for game day snacks and quick dinners because everyone loves how tender and flavorful the nuggets are.

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts: boneless and skinless for tender bites that cook evenly
• Buttermilk: key for marinating and keeping chicken moist and flavorful. Use real buttermilk if you can
• Egg: binds the marinade to the chicken and helps the coating stick
• Dill pickle juice: adds a subtle tang and replicates the signature ChickFilA flavor
• All purpose flour: forms the crunchy coating on each nugget
• Powdered sugar: a little sweetness balances the spices and crisps up in the air fryer
• Cornstarch: mixes with flour to give the coating extra crunch
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper: essential seasoning to enhance flavor
• Olive oil spray: helps nuggets crisp perfectly in the air fryer without too much oil

Instructions

Sauté the Aromatics:

Cut the chicken breasts into bite sized pieces about one to one and a half inches. Set aside so later steps are easier to manage.

Prepare the Marinade:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and dill pickle juice until fully combined and smooth. This mixture will tenderize and flavor the chicken.

Marinate the Chicken:

Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and turn to coat each piece thoroughly. Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least one hour or up to overnight. The longer the marinade time, the juicier and more flavorful the nuggets will be.

Mix Dry Ingredients:

On a large Ziploc bag or bowl, combine flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Shake or whisk well so the mixture is even.

Preheat the Air Fryer:

Set the air fryer to 390 degrees fahrenheit and let it preheat fully before adding the nuggets. Preheating seals in juice and creates better crispness.

Coat the Chicken:

Add a few pieces of marinated chicken to the flour mixture and shake the bag or toss in the bowl to coat well on all sides. Do this in small batches to avoid clumping and uneven coating.

Prepare the Air Fryer Basket:

Spray the air fryer basket generously with olive oil spray. This prevents sticking and helps achieve that golden crust.

Air Fry the Nuggets:

Place the flour coated chicken pieces in the basket making sure they are not touching. Spray them all over with olive oil spray. Cook for about 8 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying again for that perfect crisp. The nuggets are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees fahrenheit.

Repeat and Serve:

Continue coating and cooking the remaining nuggets in batches. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces.

I love the dill pickle juice the most in this recipe. It gives such a signature tang that really mimics the fast food original in a way other seasonings don’t. I remember making these for a casual party and everyone swore I had gone and gotten actual ChickFilA nuggets. It felt great knowing I could make a homemade version that was healthier but still irresistibly good.

Storage Tips

Store your cooked nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four or five days. When reheating, use the air fryer rather than the microwave. This keeps the outside crispy and the inside juicy. Leftovers also freeze well. Place them in a freezer safe bag with parchment paper between layers and reheat straight from frozen in the air fryer, adding a couple extra minutes to the cook time.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don’t have buttermilk, make a substitute by adding one tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar to one cup of whole milk or cream and let it sit for about ten minutes before using. This acidity helps tenderize the chicken just like buttermilk. You can replace powdered sugar with regular granulated sugar but the coating might not crisp the same way. For the oil spray, coconut oil spray works well if olive oil is not on hand.

Serving Suggestions

These nuggets are delicious with classic ChickFilA sauce, honey mustard, or ranch. For a fun meal, serve with waffle fries or a side salad. They also make excellent party finger foods alongside vegetables and dip. For a more indulgent treat, place nuggets inside slider buns with pickles and sauce to create mini chicken sandwiches.

These homemade air fryer nuggets deliver the signature tang and crisp without deep frying. Serve hot with your favorite sauces.

Common Recipe Questions

→ Do I need to preheat the air fryer?

Yes, preheating to 390°F is important to lock in juices and create a crispy crust on the chicken.

→ Why use olive oil spray on the chicken and basket?

Olive oil spray helps the coating crisp up and prevents sticking without damaging the air fryer basket.

→ Can I substitute buttermilk?

You can make a buttermilk substitute by adding vinegar or lemon juice to milk, but real buttermilk yields the best tenderizing results.

→ What sauces pair well with these chicken pieces?

Classic Chick-Fil-A sauce is ideal, but honey mustard or ranch also complement the flavor nicely.

→ How can I tell when the chicken is fully cooked?

The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, usually after about 8 minutes air frying.

→ Can these be baked instead of air fried?

Yes, baking at 400°F with butter in the pan can yield crisp results, but air frying is quicker and easier.