Air Fryer Almost Chick Fil-A Chicken

Almost Chick Fil-A Chicken is homemade chicken nuggets made in your air fryer. They are juicy and tender and really simple to make! They taste just as good as the restaurant.

Air Fryer Almost Chick Fil-A Chicken Nuggets

Oh wow! I was shocked at how juicy and tender these chicken nuggets were. I think you’ll love this dinner and it’s not just for kids. I kept sneaking bites even though I was super full. Nom nom!! And the fact that they are air fried instead of deep fried makes them quite a bit healthier. Try serving with your favorite dipping sauces. I like ketchup, Skyler likes parmesan, Greg likes fry sauce and Reagan likes BBQ sauce.

Ingredients/Substitution Ideas

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Buttermilk–or milk and lemon juice/vinegar
• Egg
• All purpose flour
• Powdered sugar–there is just a tiny bit of sweetness in Chick Fil-A nuggets and the powdered sugar is the way that is achieved.
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Peanut oil–or vegetable oil

Steps to making homemade Chick Fil-A nuggets in the air fryer

• Cut the chicken breasts into bite size nugget pieces. About 1 inch cubes. 
• Marinate chicken: In a bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg. Stir in the chicken pieces. Marinate for 1-2 hours. 
• Coat in flour mixture: In a bowl with a lid add the flour, sugar, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Stir well. Use tongs to place the chicken pieces (shake them of excess buttermilk) into the flour mixture. Put the lid on the container and shake to coat the chicken pieces in the flour. 
• Air fry: Preheat air fryer to 400° F. Add the chicken pieces in one layer into the air fryer rack. Use a pastry brush to brush a little oil on the chicken pieces. Air fry for 4 minutes. Turn over and air fry for 4 more minutes. 
• Repeat: Move the cooked pieces to a plate and then repeat the cooking process with the remaining chicken nuggets. 
• Serve: Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauces. 

Notes/Tips

• I used my Instant brand air fryer*. It is a 4 quart and I had to make my chicken nuggets in a couple of batches. You can also use your Instant Pot Duo Crisp with air fryer lid*.
• How to make if you don’t have an air fryer: If you don’t have an air fryer you can place about 2 inches of peanut or canola oil in a medium deep pot. Over medium high heat heat oil until hot to 375° F. Place about 6-8 nuggets into the hot oil and let them cook until golden brown about 4-5 minutes, turn halfway through. Drain on a paper towel and then repeat with the rest of the nuggets.
• Why the buttermilk marinade? By letting the chicken pieces soak for a bit in the milk you will get the most tender chicken that melts in your mouth. The milk contains lactic acid, which breaks down muscle fibers in the meat. The best milky marinade for chicken is one that uses a fermented milk product, such as buttermilk or yogurt.
• What if I don’t have buttermilk? Try using regular milk with a tablespoon or lemon juice or vinegar added into it.
• How to reheat: add chicken nuggets to air fryer and cook for 4 minutes at 400° F.

More Air Fryer Recipes…

• Keep A Man Chicken (Air Fryer Or Oven)
• Air Fryer Heavenly Chicken
• Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken
• Air Fryer Poor Man’s Steak
• Air Fryer Sunday Dinner Chicken

Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.

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*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.