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A basket of golden crispy chicken nuggets served with french fries and dipping sauce

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets and Fries Recipe

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Nuggets
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs cut into 1-1.5 inch pieces
  • 1 cup buttermilk or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • cooking oil spray
For the Fries
  • 2 lbs russet potatoes cut into 1/4-inch fries
  • 2 tbsp neutral oil avocado or vegetable
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika or garlic powder optional

Equipment

  • Air fryer basket or oven-style, 4-quart or larger
  • Two shallow bowls or dredging dishes
  • Large bowl for soaking fries

Method
 

Chicken Nuggets
  1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and soak in buttermilk for at least 15 minutes (up to overnight in the fridge).
  2. In one bowl, mix the flour with half the paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. In a second bowl, combine the panko with the remaining seasoning. Dip each piece of chicken in the seasoned flour first, then back into the buttermilk, then into the panko, pressing gently so the crumbs adhere on all sides.
  3. Place the breaded nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each piece. Spray both sides lightly with cooking oil.
  4. Cook at 400°F (204°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
French Fries
  1. Cut the potatoes into even 1/4-inch sticks and soak in cold water for at least 20 minutes to pull out excess starch.
  2. Drain the fries and pat them completely dry with a clean towel before seasoning.
  3. Toss the dried fries with oil and salt (and any optional seasoning) until evenly coated.
  4. Arrange the fries in a single layer and cook at 380°F (193°C) for 15-18 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes. Finish with 2-3 minutes at 400°F (204°C) for extra crispness.

Notes

No air fryer? Bake the nuggets at 425°F (218°C) for 18-20 minutes and the fries at the same temperature for 25-30 minutes, flipping once. Both are slightly less crisp than the air-fried version.