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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets with Honey Mustard Easy Homemade Recipe

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A quick and easy recipe for crispy, golden-brown chicken nuggets made in the air fryer, paired with a tangy honey mustard sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or snack cravings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (can swap with almond flour for gluten-free)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten (room temperature)
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Cooking spray (olive oil or avocado oil spray)
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cut the chicken breasts into evenly sized bite-sized pieces, about 1 to 1.5 inches each. Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  2. Set up dredging stations: place flour in the first bowl, beaten eggs in the second bowl, and combine panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in the third bowl.
  3. Dredge each chicken piece first in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into beaten eggs, letting extra drip off, and finally press into the breadcrumb mixture ensuring full coating. For extra crispiness, double-dip by repeating the egg and breadcrumb step.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
  5. Place coated nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Spray lightly with cooking spray.
  6. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping nuggets halfway through cooking and spraying again lightly. Nuggets should be golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  7. While nuggets cook, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Adjust sweetness or tanginess to taste.
  8. Transfer nuggets to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess moisture. Serve immediately with honey mustard sauce on the side.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before coating to ensure crispiness. Season flour and breadcrumb mixtures for layered flavor. Spray nuggets with cooking spray before and halfway through cooking for golden crust. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed. If baking instead of air frying, bake at 425°F (220°C) for 15-20 minutes flipping halfway.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken nuggets, crispy chicken nuggets, honey mustard sauce, easy chicken nuggets, homemade chicken nuggets, quick dinner, kid-friendly

Find it online: https://ariaappetite.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-nuggets-with-honey-mustard-easy-homemade-recipe/