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Yesica Andrews

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets with Panko Easy Weeknight Meal

Enjoy these crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets with Panko, perfect for an easy dinner or weeknight meal. This homemade nuggets recipe brings a delicious crunch with a simple, quick prep that the whole family will love. It’s a fantastic panko chicken recipe for a family dinner or anytime you crave crispy chicken nuggets.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 6 pieces
Calories: 208
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • olive oil or avocado oil spray

Method
 

  1. Set your air fryer to preheat at 400ºF (200ºC) for about 4 minutes.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces with kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and sugar, stirring thoroughly.
  3. Beat the egg in a separate bowl, then add the seasoned chicken and toss until every piece is coated evenly.
  4. Spread the panko breadcrumbs flat on a plate and coat each chicken piece one at a time with the breadcrumbs.
  5. Arrange coated chicken bites in the air fryer basket making sure they don’t touch, then lightly spray them with oil.
  6. Cook the chicken nuggets at 400ºF (200ºC) for 7 minutes, turning or shaking halfway to promote even browning.
  7. Once cooked to a golden crisp, sprinkle a little extra salt on top and keep warm in an oven set at 200ºF if preparing multiple batches.

Notes

  • These nuggets pair wonderfully with a homemade Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sauce. Using an air fryer cuts down cooking time compared to conventional ovens, but always check that chicken reaches 165ºF internally. For oven baking, place nuggets on parchment-lined sheet and bake at 400ºF for 15-17 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned. For gluten-free options, substitute with gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.