Without using a lot of frying oil, these DIY air fryer pickle brined chicken nuggets bring that classic, mouthwatering fast food flavour to your home kitchen! Soaking bite-sized bits of tender chicken breast in dill pickle juice is a straightforward yet miraculous procedure that holds the key. Every single piece of this Pickle-brined chicken nuggets in the air fryer is extraordinarily juicy and melt-in-your-mouth soft thanks to this simple brine that breaks down the fibres and gives the flesh a savoury, tangy depth.
After marinating, the chicken is wrapped in seasoned panko breadcrumbs and gently coated to give it a crisp, light crunch in the air fryer. You get bite-sized, golden-brown nuggets that are incredibly crispy on the outside and beautifully moist on the inside in a matter of minutes. For a simple, popular weekday supper or game-day snack, serve them hot with your preferred dipping sauces, such as garlic aioli or honey mustard!
Prep & Cook Time Air Fryer Pickle Brined Chicken Nuggets
- Prep time: 15 minutes (+ 30 minutes to 1 hour marinating time)
- Cook time: 10–12 minutes
- Total time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4
Ingredients of air fryer pickle brined chicken nuggets
1. Pickle Brine Marinade
- 1.5 pounds (700 grams) of skinless, boneless chicken breasts, sliced into small, 1-inch cubes
- One cup of dill pickle juice, directly from the jar
- ½ cup milk or buttermilk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
2. Crispy Breading for air fryer pickle brined chicken nuggets
- Half a cup of all-purpose flour
- One teaspoon of powdered sugar, a Chick-fil-A secret ingredient for taste balance
- One teaspoon of paprika
- Half a teaspoon of garlic powder
- Half a teaspoon of onion powder
- Half a teaspoon of kosher salt
- Half a teaspoon of black pepper
- One big beaten egg
- One and a half cups of Panko breadcrumbs
- Cooking oil spray (canola or avocado oil)
Instructions
1. Brine the Chicken
In a bowl or ziplock bag, combine the cubed chicken, dill pickle juice, milk, and 1 tsp garlic powder. Seal and refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes (do not brine for more than 2 hours to keep the meat from getting soft).
2. Set Up Breading Station
Also try my Gochujang Glazed Chicken Wings recipe
Set up three shallow bowls:
- Bowl 1: Whisk flour, powdered sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Bowl 2: Beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water.
- Bowl 3: Add the Panko breadcrumbs.
3. To prepare air fryer pickle brined chicken nuggets dredge the Nuggets
- Drain chicken cubes from the brine and pat lightly with paper towels
- Dredge each chicken piece in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess.
- Dip into the beaten egg.
- Roll firmly in Panko breadcrumbs until completely coated.
4. Air Fry to Perfection
- Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C).
- Place the nuggets in a single, un-crowded layer in the air fryer basket.
- Generously spray the top of the nuggets with cooking oil spray so no dry flour/panko spots remain.
- Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying the other side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp reaches 165°F / 74°C).
5. Serving of Healthy air fryer chicken nuggets
Serve immediately with honey mustard, ranch, or classic Chick-fil-A style sauce and sliced dill pickles!
Why air fryer pickle brined chicken nuggets is a Game-Changer for Chicken Nuggets
Pro-Tips for the Ultimate air fryer pickle brined chicken nuggets
Pickle juice is the key to restaurant-quality crunch and softness if you're sick of boring, rubbery, and dry homemade chicken nuggets. Pickle brining is a chef-approved method that breaks down stiff muscle fibres in poultry by using the acidity and salt content of leftover dill pickle juice. The meat is tenderised by this mild acid, which also gives it a delicious, subtle flavour profile of garlic and dill. These air fryer pickle brined chicken nuggets don't require a deep-frying vat of oil to get an ultra-crispy golden exterior when combined with the magic of an air fryer. It's a far tastier, healthier, and more hygienic way to sate your fast-food cravings at home.
- The Brining Time: Give your bite-sized chicken pieces at least half an hour to soak in the pickle brine for optimal results. If you have more time, you may enhance the flavour even more by brining them in the fridge for two to four hours. Just don't leave them in the brine for more than eight hours because the strong acidity may alter the chicken's texture.
- Double Coating for Extra Crunch: Dip the brined chicken pieces into an egg wash, coat them in seasoned flour, dip them again into the egg wash and toss them one last time in breadcrumbs or panko if you prefer an extra-thick, crispy crust akin to your favourite takeaway restaurants.
- Avoid Packing the Basket Too Full: For food to be crispy, air fryers need adequate air circulation. With a small gap between each piece, arrange your nuggets in a single layer. Instead of stacking them, cook them in two batches if needed.
Step-by-Step Cooking & Temperature Guidance of air fryer pickle brined chicken nuggets
- Always warm your air fryer for three to five minutes at 400°F (200°C). To guarantee a quick sizzle and avoid the breading sticking or becoming mushy, start with a hot basket.
- After the nuggets are placed in the basket, lightly mist them with cooking oil (avocado or canola oil spray works well). This contributes to the breadcrumbs and flour on the outside becoming crispy and golden brown.
- Flip Halfway Through: Cook the nuggets for around 8 to 10 minutes in total. To guarantee uniform browning on all sides, lightly shake the basket or turn the nuggets over halfway through the cooking period (around 5 minutes).
- Verify Internal Temperature: A safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) should always be reached by chicken. To be absolutely certain, place a quick-read digital meat thermometer within the thickest nugget.
Serving Suggestions & Dipping Sauces with air fryer pickle brined chicken nuggets
- These air fryer pickle brined chicken nuggets go incredibly well with both traditional and inventive dipping sauces. Serve them next to:
- zesty BBQ sauce or homemade honey mustard.
- A smooth ranch dressing or garlic parmesan dip.
- For those who enjoy a scorching kick, try this spicy Sriracha mayo.
- Serve them hot with sweet potato wedges, crispy french fries, or a crisp side salad for a healthy, family-friendly midweek supper that will be requested repeatedly!
Try this recipe today and enjoy these delicious air fryer pickle-brined chicken nuggets at home!
