Description
Crispy air fryer chicken bites with buttermilk and pickle juice marinade, seasoned with smoky paprika and garlic. A healthier, faster take on Chick-fil-A-style nuggets with a golden crust and juicy interior.
Ingredients
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts/thighs/tenders, cut into 1-inch pieces
½ cup pickle juice
⅓ cup buttermilk (dairy-free option in notes)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon seasoned salt (e.g. Lawry’s)
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon paprika (hot or smoked)
Coarse sea salt, for seasoning
Cooking spray or neutral oil
Instructions
Combine pickle juice and buttermilk in a bowl or ziplock bag. Add chicken pieces and marinate for 30 minutes
In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch, powdered sugar, seasoned salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and sea salt
Pat chicken dry with paper towels and coat evenly with the cornstarch mixture
Spray air fryer basket with cooking oil or brush chicken lightly with oil
Arrange chicken in a single layer in air fryer. Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 7-9 minutes, flipping halfway for even browning
Spray or brush with additional oil if desired and cook 2-3 more minutes for extra crispiness
Notes
For dairy-free: substitute buttermilk with ⅓ cup non-dairy milk (e.g. almond) plus ½ teaspoon lemon juice
Use chicken tenderloins for consistent size
Serve with Chick-fil-A sauce (see recipe note below)
Marinate up to 4 hours for maximum flavor
Toss with additional cornstarch mixture halfway through cooking for crisper results
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3-4 chicken bites
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg