Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
These Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets provide 27g protein and 431 calories per serving — a protein-forward snack that fits between meals or post-workout. Four servings prepare in minutes, making portion control straightforward when you're tracking macros and need structured snacking options.
Ingredients
- •Chicken Breast, Boneless Skinless(302g)
Boneless skinless. Buy in bulk and freeze — Costco rotisserie packs work too.
- •3/4 Tsp Salt, Divided ($0.05)
- •Flour, All-Purpose, White(15g)
- •Buttermilk, Cultured, Low-Fat(120g)
- •Bread Crumbs, Dry, Plain(240g)
- •Garlic powder(5g)
- •Paprika, Smoked(3g)
- •Vegetable oil(30g)
Instructions
- 1On a cutting board, cut the chicken breast into 3/4 inch pieces. You should get approximately 20-24 chicken nuggets depending on the size of your chicken breast.
- 2Sprinkle ¼ tsp of salt evenly over the chicken pieces. Next sprinkle the flour over the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
- 3In a small bowl add the breadcrumbs, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and ½ tsp salt. Mix seasoning into the breadcrumbs. Next add the cooking oil to the breadcrumbs and stir until the oil is evenly coating the breadcrumbs. It should look like damp sand.
- 4In another small bowl add ½ cup buttermilk.
- 5Now line up the chicken, buttermilk, and breadcrumbs. Using tongs or your hands, begin to coat the chicken nugget pieces by first dipping them in the buttermilk, then transfer them to the breadcrumbs and coat them evenly with the breadcrumbs. Set the coated chicken pieces to the side.
- 6Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Similar to preheating your oven, it’s a good idea to preheat your air fryer so the chicken nuggets can cook evenly and get crispy on the outside. Once preheated, place the chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Try not to overcrowd the basket. You can cook the chicken nuggets in 2 batches if needed. Air fry for 8 minutes, flipping the nuggets halfway through.
- 7Remove chicken nuggets from the air fryer and let cool for 3-5 minutes, then serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutrition — Per Serving
431
calories
27g
protein
13g
fat
- Carbohydrates
- 49g
- Saturated fat
- 2.7g
- Sodium
- 506 mg
- Dietary fiber
- 3.2g
4 servings per batch · ~179g each
Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central
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How much protein does Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets have per serving?
Each serving provides 27g of protein and 431 calories, with 13g fat and 49g carbs creating a balanced macro split for a prepared snack. This version runs leaner than higher-fat poultry cuts.
How long does Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets take to prep?
Quick prep yields 4 servings per batch, making it efficient for batch cooking multiple portions to cover several days of snacking or side meal components.
Is Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets good for muscle gain?
At 27g protein and 431 calories per serving with 49g carbs, this works well as a muscle gain snack that delivers moderate protein alongside carbohydrates for training energy. Pair with a carb-heavy side to maximize post-workout timing.
