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chick fil a nuggets recipe air fryer

Chick-fil-A Nuggets Air Fryer Recipe

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Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 52 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 1 cup dill pickle juice
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 tbsp powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp fine salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 0.5 tsp celery salt
  • Cooking spray

Method
 

  1. Cut the chicken into 1.5-inch pieces, submerge in the 1 cup pickle juice, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  2. Stir together the 1 cup flour, 3 tbsp powdered sugar, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, 0.5 tsp black pepper, and 0.5 tsp celery salt in a shallow bowl. Whisk the 1 cup milk and 1 large egg together in a second bowl.
  3. Remove each piece from the brine, dip in the milk-egg mix, then press firmly into the flour coating. Rest the coated pieces on a rack for 5 minutes.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Arrange nuggets in a single layer, spray with cooking spray, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping at 6 minutes and spraying the second side. Cook in batches as needed. Internal temp should reach 165°F (74°C).
  5. Transfer to a serving plate, add pickle slices and dipping sauce, and serve immediately.

Notes

The 40-minute prep time includes a 30-minute brine, which is the minimum. If you have time for a full hour it makes a noticeable difference in how juicy the chicken stays. The powdered sugar is not a typo; it is a small amount spread across 4 servings and it is what gives the coating that faint sweetness you get from the original.