Spicy Chicken Nuggets Recipe
These spicy nuggets are ready in about 30 minutes, and cooked to crispy perfection in the Air Fryer!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ⅓ cup all purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 4 tsp hot sauce
- 1 ¾ cups panko bread crumbs
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (more if you want them more spicy)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts into 1-2 inch chunks.
- In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
- In a second shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and hot sauce.
- In a third shallow dish, combine the panko crumbs, paprika, salt, cayenne, and pepper.
- Dip the chicken pieces in the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, then the panko mixture. Place on a cookie sheet or plate until they are all coated.
- Arrange half of the chicken in a single layer in an Air Fryer that has been preheated to 400°. Leave about 1/2" of space between the pieces so the air can circulate. Cook for 6-7 minutes, or until the outside is golden brown and the internal temperature of the largest piece measures 165°. For even browning, flip halfway through.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Cooking time will vary based on the size of your chicken pieces, so it's best to check the internal temperature instead of just going by time.
- Since the chicken has to be cooked in batches, I like to place the cooked chicken on a cookie sheet in a 200° oven to keep it warm.
- If you prefer, you can fry the nuggets in about 1/2" of oil over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. We like to reheat them in an air fryer.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 247kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 29gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 127mgSodium: 933mgPotassium: 497mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 305IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 2mg
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