As a food blogger, I perfected a Chick Fil A Chicken Nuggets Recipe for the air fryer that nails the crispy, juicy flavor you remember and left my family convinced it’s straight from the restaurant.
I never expected to nail a Chick Fil A Chicken Nuggets Recipe at home, but then I tried brining pieces of boneless skinless chicken breasts in dill pickle juice and everything changed. The first bite had that familiar tang and crisp you crave, and I was like wait, did I just outdo takeout?
This Easy Air Fryer Chick Fil A Nuggets version is one of those Copy Cat Chic Fil A Nuggets In Air Fryer wins that makes leftovers vanish. I get excited showing friends, even when it looks too simple, because Air Fry Recipes rarely taste this close to the real thing, yet somehow this does.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts: lean, high in protein, low in carbs, keeps nuggets juicy and filling.
- Dill pickle juice: tangy, adds sour brightness, low calorie, contains sodium and flavor.
- Whole milk: adds fat for richness, gives tenderness, has protein and calcium.
- Large egg: binder and moisture, supplies protein and some fat, helps texture.
- All purpose flour: provides bulk and carbs, forms crust that crisps in air fryer.
- Powdered sugar: tiny touch of sweetness to balance savory, adds slight caramel color.
- Cornstarch: lightens coating, so it’s crispier, mainly carbs, gluten free bulking agent.
- Peanut oil: high smoke point for browning, adds subtle nutty flavor and fat.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup dill pickle juice
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Cooking spray or 1 to 2 tablespoons peanut oil for brushing
How to Make this
1. Cut the chicken breasts into roughly 1 inch bite sized pieces, toss them in a bowl and pour over the 1/2 cup dill pickle juice, cover and refrigerate 30 minutes to 1 hour, dont skip this, it gives that Chick Fil A tang.
2. While chicken marinates mix the dry coating: 1 cup all purpose flour, 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper if you want a little heat.
3. In a separate bowl whisk together 1/2 cup whole milk and 1 large egg until combined, set aside.
4. Remove chicken from pickle juice and pat very dry with paper towels, the drier the better for adhesion.
5. Dip each piece first into the milk + egg, then press into the flour mixture coating well, shake off excess. For extra crisp you can double dip: dunk back into the milk/egg then coat again.
6. Let the coated nuggets rest on a rack or plate for about 5 to 10 minutes so the breading sets up, this helps it not fall off in the air fryer.
7. Preheat your air fryer to 400 F (200 C). Arrange nuggets in a single layer in the basket, dont overcrowd, cook in batches if needed. Lightly spray with cooking spray or brush each piece with a little peanut oil (1 to 2 tablespoons total) so they brown.
8. Air fry at 400 F for about 8 to 10 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until golden brown and an instant read thermometer reads 165 F in the center.
9. Let nuggets rest 2 minutes before serving, they get crispier as they cool. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy.
Equipment Needed
1. Cutting board and a sharp chef’s knife (for cutting breasts into bite sized pieces)
2. Large mixing bowl (for the pickle juice marinade)
3. Measuring cups and spoons
4. Two shallow bowls or pie plates (one for the flour mix, one for the milk + egg)
5. Whisk (for the milk + egg)
6. Paper towels (patting chicken very dry is key, dont skip)
7. Tongs or two forks (for dipping and transferring pieces)
8. Wire rack set over a baking sheet or a plate (let the breading set and rest)
9. Air fryer (preheat to 400 F and cook in batches)
10. Instant read thermometer and a small pastry brush or cooking spray (check temp and help browning)
FAQ
Easy Air Fryer Chick Fil A Nuggets Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Dill pickle juice: If you dont have pickle juice try 1) 1/2 cup buttermilk (adds tang and tenderizes), 2) 1/2 cup water mixed with 1 tablespoon white or apple cider vinegar (keeps the acid), or 3) 1/2 cup milk + 1 teaspoon lemon juice (short soak to curdle slightly) — all keep that bite that flavors the chicken.
- Whole milk: Swap with 1) buttermilk for extra tang and juiciness, 2) 1/2 cup milk + 1/2 cup plain yogurt thinned with a splash of water, or 3) unsweetened soy or oat milk if you need dairy free (texture changes a bit).
- Powdered sugar: You can use 1) superfine granulated sugar (pulse in a blender first so it wont be gritty), 2) light brown sugar for a deeper caramel note (press fine), or 3) powdered coconut sugar for a less-refined option (taste will be different).
- Peanut oil or cooking spray: Use 1) canola or vegetable oil for a neutral high smoke point, 2) avocado oil for a healthier high-heat option, or 3) melted butter or ghee for extra flavor (brush lightly, they brown faster so watch cooking time).
Pro Tips
1. Cut pieces the same size so they cook evenly, and dont overmarinate or it can get mealy. After you pull them from the pickle juice, really pat them dry with paper towels, the drier they are the better the coating will stick.
2. The powdered sugar and cornstarch are small tricks that do big work: sugar helps with golden color and cornstarch gives extra crunch. Press the flour mix onto the chicken instead of just tapping it on, and if you want super crisp do a quick double dip then let the pieces sit on a rack or in the fridge for 10 minutes so the coating sets.
3. Put oil on the nuggets not the basket, a light brush or quick spray on each piece gives much better browning without sogginess. Dont overcrowd the basket, cook in batches, and flip once so every side gets even color.
4. Use an instant read thermometer to hit 165 degrees and then let the nuggets rest a couple minutes so juices redistribute and the crust firms up. Leftovers reheat great in the air fryer for a few minutes to bring back crispness.
Easy Air Fryer Chick Fil A Nuggets Recipe
As a food blogger, I perfected a Chick Fil A Chicken Nuggets Recipe for the air fryer that nails the crispy, juicy flavor you remember and left my family convinced it's straight from the restaurant.
4
servings
390
kcal
Equipment: 1. Cutting board and a sharp chef’s knife (for cutting breasts into bite sized pieces)
2. Large mixing bowl (for the pickle juice marinade)
3. Measuring cups and spoons
4. Two shallow bowls or pie plates (one for the flour mix, one for the milk + egg)
5. Whisk (for the milk + egg)
6. Paper towels (patting chicken very dry is key, dont skip)
7. Tongs or two forks (for dipping and transferring pieces)
8. Wire rack set over a baking sheet or a plate (let the breading set and rest)
9. Air fryer (preheat to 400 F and cook in batches)
10. Instant read thermometer and a small pastry brush or cooking spray (check temp and help browning)
Ingredients
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup dill pickle juice
1/2 cup whole milk
1 large egg
1 cup all purpose flour
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Cooking spray or 1 to 2 tablespoons peanut oil for brushing
Directions
- Cut the chicken breasts into roughly 1 inch bite sized pieces, toss them in a bowl and pour over the 1/2 cup dill pickle juice, cover and refrigerate 30 minutes to 1 hour, dont skip this, it gives that Chick Fil A tang.
- While chicken marinates mix the dry coating: 1 cup all purpose flour, 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper if you want a little heat.
- In a separate bowl whisk together 1/2 cup whole milk and 1 large egg until combined, set aside.
- Remove chicken from pickle juice and pat very dry with paper towels, the drier the better for adhesion.
- Dip each piece first into the milk + egg, then press into the flour mixture coating well, shake off excess. For extra crisp you can double dip: dunk back into the milk/egg then coat again.
- Let the coated nuggets rest on a rack or plate for about 5 to 10 minutes so the breading sets up, this helps it not fall off in the air fryer.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 F (200 C). Arrange nuggets in a single layer in the basket, dont overcrowd, cook in batches if needed. Lightly spray with cooking spray or brush each piece with a little peanut oil (1 to 2 tablespoons total) so they brown.
- Air fry at 400 F for about 8 to 10 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until golden brown and an instant read thermometer reads 165 F in the center.
- Let nuggets rest 2 minutes before serving, they get crispier as they cool. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy.
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 225g
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 390kcal
- Fat: 10.1g
- Saturated Fat: 2.7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Polyunsaturated: 1.5g
- Monounsaturated: 3g
- Cholesterol: 143mg
- Sodium: 858mg
- Potassium: 370mg
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 5.5g
- Protein: 41g
- Vitamin A: 175IU
- Vitamin C: 0mg
- Calcium: 42mg
- Iron: 0.95mg
