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Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets and Dip

These air fryer chicken nuggets are the kind of dinner that quietly saves your entire evening. Crispy, fast, and made with pantry basics, they feel like takeout without the drive-thru guilt or the drive-thru price. Bonus: kids actually eat them without you having to rename them “fun chicken bites” five different times.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs chicken breast cut into bite-size chunks
  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • Spray oil avocado or olive oil
  • ¼ cup mayo
  • 2 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1-1 tbsp honey to taste
  • Pinch of garlic powder
  • Optional: squeeze of lemon

Method
 

  1. Set up a breading station. Bowl 1: flour + salt + pepper., bowl 2: beaten eggs, and bowl 3: panko + garlic powder +paprika.
  2. Dip each piece in flour → egg → panko. Press lightly so the crumbs stick (this is what gives you that “drive-thru nugget” crunch).
  3. Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
  4. Place nuggets in a single layer (don’t crowd). Lightly spray tops with oil.
  5. Cook 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and 165°F inside.
  6. While the nuggets are cooking, put all sauce ingredients in a small box. Mix well.
  7. Serve immediately.

Notes

Serve with fruit and tater tots.