If you’ve ever dreamed of mastering the art of the nugget without donning the golden arches, you’re in luck. These air-fried beauties bring all the crispy, juicy goodness you crave, minus the questionable trip to the deep fryer. With tender chicken breast marinated in yogurt (fancy, right?), a crunchy breadcrumb coating, and just a hint of “I’m-better-than-fast-food” flavor, you’re about to take your nugget game to the next level.

Ingredients

1 boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 2/3 lb.)

3/4 tsp salt, divided

1 Tbsp all-purpose flour

1/2 cup plain yogurt (for marinade)

1 cup plain breadcrumbs

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

2 Tbsp cooking oil

Instructions

1. 1. Prepare the Chicken – Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized nugget pieces, around 1-inch squares.
2. Marinate the Chicken – In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup of plain yogurt with 1/2 tsp of salt and 1 Tbsp of all-purpose flour. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and coat them well in the mixture. Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours for more flavor).
3. Prepare the Breading – In another bowl, combine 1 cup of plain breadcrumbs, 1 tsp of garlic powder, 1/2 tsp of smoked paprika, and the remaining 1/4 tsp of salt. Drizzle the 2 Tbsp of cooking oil over the breadcrumb mixture and mix until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated with the oil.
4. Coat the Chicken – Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess yogurt to drip off. Coat each chicken piece in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere well.
5. Air Fry the Nuggets – Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes. Place the breaded chicken nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd; cook in batches if necessary. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the nuggets are golden brown and cooked through (the internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C).
6. Enjoy your crispy and delicious homemade chicken nuggets!