Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets – Chick fil-A copycat recipe – protein forward from lean chicken – no mystery meat, no deep fryer. Pickle-brined for that signature flavor, golden, crispy, ready in minutes!
When you’re craving Chick-fil-A nuggets and it’s Sunday, you’re gonna want this recipe – and your air fryer.
Pickle-brined for that signature flavor, perfectly seasoned and breaded with lean white meat chicken. These nuggets air fry to golden perfection. Crispy outside, juicy inside. This one’s the real deal.
This protein forward recipes works for kids and adults alike. I keep seeing influencers grabbing Chick-fil-A nuggets to toss on salads “for protein.” 👉 Make this healthier version instead.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- This is an easy recipe for copycat air fryer Chick-fil-A nuggets. Perfect for meal prep, add to salads, serve up with fries.
- Homemade chick-fil nuggets – at a fraction of the cost of eating out, no lines and yes – you can even eat them on Sundays!
- Unlike deep frying, air frying requires way less oil for a healthier, high protein fix.
- Homemade chicken nuggets – kid and adult friendly. Need I say more?
Ingredients needed for Air Fryer Chick fil-A Chicken Nuggets:
- boneless skinless chicken breasts cut in 1 1/2″ pieces
- dill pickle juice from the jar
- egg
- buttermilk (see below how to easily make buttermilk)
- large zip top bag
- salt and black pepper
- paprika
- garlic powder
- all purpose flour
- cornstarch
- powdered sugar
- cooking spray (olve oil spray used – any works)
What makes Chick fil A Nuggets irresistible?
There’s no one answer why Chick-fil-A nuggets are so good people drive for miles to satisfy a craving.
Maybe it’s the light crispy breading. Or the juicy pickle-brined, perfectly seasoned chicken under that breading and friends, let’s not forget about the sauce.
The only thing I know for sure is that they’re loved by kids and adults alike and with these copycat nuggets, you won’t miss the ‘real deal’ at all.
How to make your own buttermilk:
You can buy buttermilk from the grocery store or make it quickly and easily at home.
To make your own buttermilk, whisk 1/4 cup milk (any fat level) with 1/2 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice.
Let it sit for 5 minutes then give it a stir. That’s it!
How to make Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets:
Prepping the chicken:
- Cut each boneless chicken breast into about 1 1/2″ pieces then transfer to a zip top bag.
- Pour the pickle juice over the top. Seal then gently move the pickle juice around the chicken.
- Refrigerate for 20 minutes up to 1 hour.
Breading the chicken:
Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper for easy cleanup then set up a dredging station (shallow bowl works best):
Bowl #1: whisk the egg and buttermilk together
Bowl #2: combine flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, cornstarch and powdered sugar.
Drain chicken and throw away the pickle juice.
Dredge the chicken first in the flour, shaking off any excess. Next dip in the egg mixture letting it drip off, then back into the flour mixture pressing to coat. FLOUR -> EGG -> FLOUR.
Transfer the breaded pieces to the baking sheet. NOTE: the breading will seem moist – that’s okay.
Air frying the nuggets:
Pre-heat air fryer to 360 degrees then spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Season lightly with salt then spray the top of each nugget with cooking spray.
Air fry 5 minutes then flip the nuggets over. Spray any exposed flour spots and continue cooking 5 minutes or to an internal temp of 165° on a meat thermometer and golden brown.
NOTE: cook times vary with air fryer models so adjust as needed.
Increase the temp on the air fryer to 400° then cook 2 more minutes.
Copycat Chick fil-A sauce:
Do we need homemade chick-fil-A sauce? Absolutely 1000% YES. The air fryer nuggets are delicious on their own but the sauce takes these nuggets to the next level and gives full on Chick fil-A vibes.
Ranch dressing and honey mustard are both delicious, but below you’ll fine my personal fave.
Just add to a small bowl, give it a good whisk or stir and pop it in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon yellow (ballpark style) mustard
- 1 tablespoon bbq sauce any kind you have on hand
- 1 tablespoon honey
- small pinch salt
Tips for making these air fryer nuggets:
- I shoot for about 20 minutes of soak time in the picckle brine. Longer will give you a stronger pickle flavor.
- Use the pickle juice from any jar of dill pickles.
- For best flavor, serve the nuggets fresh from the air fryer. If you have leftovers, store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350 until warmed through.
What to serve with Chick fil-A Chicken Nuggets besides dipping sauce?
More easy air fryer recipes:
Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Air Fried Chicken
Full printable recipe card for these copycat Chick fil A Nuggets below.Enjoy!
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets (Chick-fil-A copycat recipe)
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts cut in 1 1/2" pieces
- 3/4 cup dill pickle juice brine from the jar
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup buttermilk see body of post/How to Easily Make Buttermilk
- 1 large ziptop bag
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- cooking spray
Instructions
PREPPING THE CHICKEN:
- Cut chicken Into about 1 1/2″ pieces then transfer to a zip top bag.
- Pour pickle juice over the top. Seal and gently smoosh to move the pickle juice around the chicken. Refrigerate 20 minutes up to 1 hour.
BREADING THE CHICKEN:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper then set up a dredging station:Bowl #1: whisk the egg and buttermilk together.Bowl #2: combine flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, cornstarch and powdered sugar.
- Drain pickle juice from chicken and throw away.
- Dredge the chicken first in the flour shaking off any excess. Next dip in the egg letting it drip off, then back into the flour pressing to coat FLOUR -> EGG -> FLOUR
- Transfer breaded pieces to the baking sheet. NOTE: the breading will seem moist – that’s okay. It’ll be lightly crisp when you air fry!
AIR FRYING THE CHICKEN:
- Pre-heat air fryer to 360 degrees then spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer (work in batches if necessary - chicken can be kept warm on a baking sheet in 200 degree oven). Season lightly with salt then spray the top of each nugget with cooking spray.
- Air fry 5 minutes then flip the nuggets over. Spray any exposed flour spots and continue cooking 5 minutes or to an internal temp of 165°.
- Increase the temp to 400° and cook 2 more minutes.
CHICK-FIL-A SIGNATURE SAUCE:
- Whisk 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon yellow (ballpark style) mustard, 1 tablesoon your favorite bbq sauce, 1 tablespoon honey and a small pinch salt.
Notes
- Use the pickle brine from any dill pickles in your fridge.