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Crispy Air Fryer Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets Easy Homemade Recipe with Pickle Brine

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A quick and easy homemade recipe for crispy, juicy chicken nuggets soaked in pickle brine and cooked in an air fryer for a healthier, delicious alternative to fast food.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup pickle juice (from a jar of dill pickles)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk (or almond milk for dairy-free)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • Cooking spray (olive oil or avocado oil spray recommended)

Instructions

  1. Marinate the chicken: In a medium bowl, combine pickle juice and milk. Add chicken pieces, stir to coat, cover and refrigerate for 10 minutes.
  2. Prepare the coating: Whisk together flour, powdered sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a shallow bowl.
  3. Beat the egg in a separate bowl until smooth.
  4. Coat the nuggets: Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Dip each piece into beaten egg, then dredge in flour mixture, pressing gently to coat. Place coated nuggets on a plate.
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
  6. Spray the air fryer basket lightly with cooking spray. Arrange nuggets in a single layer without overcrowding. Spray tops lightly with cooking spray.
  7. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  8. Transfer nuggets to a cooling rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces.

Notes

Do not over-marinate chicken (10-15 minutes max) to avoid mushy texture. Pat chicken dry before coating for crispiness. Flip nuggets halfway through cooking for even browning. Use cooking spray lightly to avoid greasy texture. Check internal temperature to ensure doneness. For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free blend. For dairy-free, use almond or coconut milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken nuggets, air fryer, copycat Chick-fil-A, pickle brine, crispy chicken, homemade nuggets, quick recipe

Find it online: https://perkypan.com/crispy-air-fryer-copycat-chick-fil-a-nuggets-easy-homemade-recipe-with-pickle-brine/