This recipe is sure to please both adults and children. The air fryer fries up the surface to give you the traditional nugget crunch, while the double butter coating keeps the chicken meat incredibly juicy and moist on the inside. Furthermore, the addition of thyme and parmesan gives the crumbs more taste. Serve them as an appetiser, snack, or even dinner, with vegetables on the side.
Ingredients:
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125g (2 1/2 cups) panko breadcrumbs
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60g (3/4 cup) shredded parmesan
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1 1/2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
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185g butter, melted
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500g chicken Breast fillet, cut into 3cm pieces
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2 tbsp smokey barbecue sauce
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125g (1/2 cup) sour cream
Directions:
- In a shallow dish, combine the 60g (3/4 cup) shredded parmesan, 1 1/2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, and 125g (2 1/2 cups) panko breadcrumbs. Time of year. Put the melted 185g of butter in a different small bowl. After slicing a 500g chicken breast fillet into 3cm pieces, cover it with butter and let the excess drip off. Cover with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing it on firmly. Do it again to achieve a double coating. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with the remaining butter, breadcrumb mixture, and chicken. Put in the refrigerator to cool for thirty minutes.
- Put parchment paper inside the air fryer basket. Leaving space between each nugget, place half of the nuggets in the basket. Apply oil with a spray. Simmer for 12 minutes at 180°C, or until thoroughly cooked and browned. Proceed with the leftover nuggets.
- Stir the 125g (1/2 cup) sour cream with 2 tablespoons of smokey barbecue sauce. Along with the nuggets, serve dipping sauce.
Tips:
- Use skinless, boneless chicken thighs or breasts while preparing the chicken. To ensure consistent cooking, cut them into bite-sized pieces that are comparable in size.
- Marinate: Toss the chicken pieces in a mixture of yoghurt, lemon juice, coriander, ginger, garlic, and spices such as garam masala, cumin, and turmeric. Marinating the chicken for at least half an hour, or perhaps overnight, will keep it moist and flavorful.
- Coating: To make a coating for the chicken, combine melted butter or ghee with breadcrumbs. For added taste and crunch, you can also add grated Parmesan cheese.
- Heat the Air Fryer: Before adding the chicken, preheat your air fryer for a few minutes to about 375°F (190°C). This makes it more likely that the nuggets will cook through quickly and turn crispy on the outside.
- Arrange in a Single Layer: Pack the air fryer basket with the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer. Steer clear of crowded areas to promote enough air circulation, which guarantees uniform cooking and crispiness.
- Mist with Oil: Using a cooking spray, lightly mist the covered chicken pieces with oil. This aids in their beautiful crisping in the air fryer.
Cook in Batches: It’s preferable to cook chicken nuggets in batches as opposed to packing the air fryer basket to capacity. Uneven cooking can be caused by crowding.