Whole30 Chicken Nuggets (Air Fryer or Stovetop)
These Whole30 Chicken Nuggets can be made in either an air fryer or on the stovetop! They have a crispy breading and the most tender meat. These Paleo chicken nuggets are the perfect quick and easy meal!
I like to consider myself a chicken nugget connoisseur. After all, this is what I ordered at every single restaurant growing up. These Whole30 chicken nuggets have the best seasonings, a crispy breading, and flavorful meat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These chicken nuggets are far superior to other nuggets. Here is why:
- Unlike most gluten free nuggets, this breading STAYS ON! It does not flake off when cooking or air frying.
- These Paleo chicken nuggets with almond flour are made with healthy ingredients. They are very similar to my Paleo Fried Chicken!
- This recipe is super easy and quick.
- Chicken breasts or thighs can be used. Additionally, these nuggets can be made with chicken tenders.
- For an extra crispy Keto and low carb option, substitute the almond flour with pork rinds.
- This recipe is made without flour and without breadcrumbs.
- These nuggets require only a few ingredients.
- Check out my Air Fryer Bratwurst for another easy air fried dinner!
- These Paleo nuggets are Whole30 compliant, Grain Free, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, and Sugar Free.
How to Make Air Fryer Whole30 Chicken Nuggets
Step 1
Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray air fryer basket with avocado oil spray.
Step 2
Cube chicken into 1 inch pieces. In a shallow bowl, whisk 2 eggs. In another shallow bowl, mix together flours and spices.
Step 3
Then, take chicken cubes and dunk in the whisked egg mixture. Toss around until fully coated in egg. Remove from mixture and let extra egg run off chicken.
Step 4
Then, place chicken in dry mixture. Toss around until fully coated. Place on fryer basket.
Step 5
Repeat for remaining chicken. Assemble chicken in one even layer on air fryer basket. Fry for 12 minutes total, flipping chicken after 6 minutes.
Step 6
Finally, remove from air fryer and serve with desired toppings!
Stovetop Instructions
Step 1
Cube chicken into 1 inch pieces. In a shallow bowl, whisk 2 eggs. In another shallow bowl, mix together flours and spices.
Step 2
Next, take each piece of chicken and dunk it in the whisked egg mixture. Toss around until fully coated in egg. Remove from mixture and let extra egg run off chicken.
Step 3
Next, place chicken in dry mixture. Toss around until fully coated.
Step 4
Add coconut oil to skillet over medium heat. Place chicken cubes into skillet.
Step 5
Cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until chicken is cooked through.
Step 6
Finally, remove from skillet and serve!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Traditionally, chicken nuggets are made with deboned chicken. They are breaded or battered and then deep fried or baked. In addition, they are a classic fast food restaurant menu item.
No, Chick Fil A grilled nuggets are not Whole30 approved.
They can be! These Whole30 chicken nuggets are made with healthy ingredients. Most fast food restaurants have much unhealthier versions.
These Whole30 approved nuggets are very healthy.
If they are made with Whole30 compliant ingredients, then yes they are allowed on a round.
Chicken is cooked through when its internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. I highly suggest using a meat thermometer.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, add a drizzle of cooking oil to a skillet. Heat chicken on low until warmed.
Expert Tips
- Use boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
- Trim fat from chicken and cut into evenly sized cubes.
- Fully coat in egg mixture and then fully coat in breading mixture.
- Flip chicken halfway through cooking or air frying to ensure even cooking.
Whole30 Dipping Sauces
Dip these nuggets into Whole30 Garlic Aioli, Whole30 Ketchup, Whole30 BBQ Sauce or Whole30 Ranch dressing! For more recipes, see my Whole30 recipes page or Ultimate Guide to Whole30!
You May Also Like
If you make this recipe, I would love to see it! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I would love for you to follow along!
Get the Recipe: Whole30 Chicken Nuggets (Air Fryer or Stovetop)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breasts or thighs, chopped into 1 inch cubes
- 2 eggs, whisked
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup tapioca flour, or arrowroot starch
- 1/2 tsp ground pepper
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp coconut oil, omit if using air fryer
Instructions
Air Fryer Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray air fryer basket with avocado oil spray.
- Cube chicken into 1 inch pieces. In a shallow bowl, whisk 2 eggs. In another shallow bowl, mix together flours and spices.
- Take each piece of chicken and dunk it in the whisked egg mixture. Toss around until fully coated in egg. Remove from mixture and let extra egg run off chicken.
- Then, place chicken in dry mixture. Toss around until fully coated. Place on air fryer basket.
- Repeat for remaining chicken. Assemble chicken in one even layer on air fryer basket.
- Fry for 12 minutes total, flipping chicken after 6 minutes.
- Remove from air fryer and serve with desired toppings!
Stovetop Instructions
- Cube chicken into 1 inch pieces. In a shallow bowl, whisk 2 eggs. In another shallow bowl, mix together flours and spices.
- Take each piece of chicken and dunk it in the whisked egg mixture. Toss around until fully coated in egg. Remove from mixture and let extra egg run off chicken.
- Next, place chicken in dry mixture. Toss around until fully coated.
- Add coconut oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Place chicken in skillet.
- Cook for 4 to 5 minutes each side, or until chicken is fully cooked through.
- Remove from skillet and serve!
Notes
- Chicken is fully cooked when its internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Air fryers have varying degrees of strength. Your chicken may need slightly less or more time depending on air fryer make and model.
- Tapioca flour can be substituted with arrowroot starch or cornstarch (not Whole30).
- Olive oil, grass fed butter, or ghee can be used in place of coconut oil.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, add a little cooking oil to a skillet over low heat and cook until warm.
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18 Comments on “Whole30 Chicken Nuggets (Air Fryer or Stovetop)”
How big is a serving to track nutritional value.
Hi Sidney! This recipe has 4 servings and 2 total pounds of chicken. Each serving is about half a pound of chicken. Hope this helps!
How can I substitute the eggs, if possible thank you
Hi Isabelle! The eggs are really key in creating the breading. If left out, these chicken nuggets would be much less crispy but should still taste fine. Just coat the chicken in the dry mixture and then air fry/fry/bake. Hope this helps!
My son is allergic to nuts, could I sub rice flour for almond?Â
That should work. You could also go with all tapioca flour. They’d be crispy!Â
So super tasty, thanks for this recipe!
This looks Incredibly delicious. I have to make this soon for my family!