Craving something crispy, flavorful, and easy to make at home? These ranch chicken nuggets are coated in a creamy, herb-packed dressing and finished with a golden breadcrumb crust—all done right in the air fryer.

With every bite delivering juicy chicken and serious crunch, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser whether you’re feeding kids, hosting game night, or just treating yourself to a homemade comfort food classic. No deep frying, no mess—just bold flavor and crispy perfection in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized nuggets
• 1 cup creamy ranch dressing
• 1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

Homemade Ranch Dressing Ingredients:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup buttermilk or regular milk
• 1 Tbsp fresh dill weed
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon dried chives
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ⅛ teaspoon finely cracked pepper
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste (approximately 1-3 teaspoons, adjust to taste)

Instructions:

Make the Ranch Dressing:

1. Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, and milk together in a bowl until smooth.
2. Add dill weed, parsley, chives, onion powder, garlic powder, sea salt, and pepper. Whisk until well combined.
3. Add freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste and whisk again.
4. Pour the dressing into a jar and chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Prepare the Chicken Nuggets:

1. Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
2. Coat the Chicken: In a medium bowl, toss chicken nuggets with 1 cup of the prepared ranch dressing until generously coated.
3. Bread the Nuggets: Place Italian seasoned bread crumbs in a separate shallow dish. Coat ranch-covered nuggets with breadcrumbs, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
4. Cook the Nuggets: Arrange nuggets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding. Air fry at 400°F for 12-14 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crispiness.
5. Serve: Allow nuggets to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy immediately with additional ranch dressing, ketchup, or your favorite dip!

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Video Recipe

Tips & Variations

• Get that perfect crunch: Always preheat your air fryer and avoid overcrowding the basket. Nuggets need space for hot air to circulate—this is what gives them that golden, crispy finish.

• Upgrade your breadcrumbs: Want even more texture? Swap Italian breadcrumbs for panko or crushed cornflakes. For extra flavor, mix in a tablespoon of grated Parmesan or a pinch of smoked paprika.

• Let it rest before air frying: After coating the chicken, let the nuggets sit for 5–10 minutes. This helps the coating stick better and prevents it from falling off during cooking.

• Make it spicy: Stir a little hot sauce into the ranch dressing or add cayenne to the breadcrumb mix for a subtle heat that doesn’t overpower.

• Dark meat fans: Try boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier bite. They stay tender and flavorful even after a few extra minutes in the air fryer.

• Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and be sure your ranch dressing is free from hidden gluten—many store-bought brands offer gluten-free versions.

• Meal prep friendly: These nuggets reheat beautifully. Just pop them back in the air fryer for 3–4 minutes to restore their crispiness—perfect for next-day lunches or quick snacks.

• Dipping game: Ranch is a classic, but these nuggets also pair well with honey mustard, chipotle mayo, or even buffalo sauce for an extra kick.

One of the best ways to elevate chicken is with a bold and zesty peri peri marinade. This version is blended with roasted red pepper, garlic, lemon juice, and spices, then finished with a rich lemon butter sauce for a perfect balance of heat and tanginess. Air frying ensures delicious, juicy peri peri chicken skewers—without excess oil!

Ingredients

For the Peri Peri Marinade

• 1 red bell pepper, roasted, peeled, and blended
• 1 chilli pepper
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for heat preference)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 5-6 fresh basil leaves (or ½ tsp dried basil)

For the Chicken Skewers

• 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized cubes
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for coating before air frying)
• Wooden skewers (soaked in water for 15 minutes)

For the Lemon Butter Sauce

• ¼ cup reserved peri peri sauce
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Peri Peri Marinade

1. Roast the red bell pepper over an open flame or in an oven at 400°F (200°C) until the skin blackens. Place in a bowl, cover, and let it steam for 5 minutes. Peel off the skin.
2. In a blender or food processor, blend the roasted red pepper, onion, garlic, salt, black pepper, paprika, cayenne, oregano, cumin, lemon juice, vinegar, oil, and basil until smooth.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

1. Place the chicken cubes in a bowl and coat with the peri peri marinade (reserve ¼ cup for the sauce).
2. Cover and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes (for best results, marinate overnight).

Step 3: Air Fry the Chicken Skewers

1. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (195°C).
2. Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto soaked wooden skewers.
3. Lightly brush with olive oil and place in the air fryer basket.
4. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through (internal temp: 165°F / 75°C).

Step 4: Make the Lemon Butter Sauce

1. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
2. Stir in the reserved peri peri sauce, mayonnaise, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
3. Simmer for 2 minutes, stirring until smooth and creamy.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

• Drizzle the lemon butter sauce over the hot peri peri chicken skewers.
• Garnish with fresh herbs or a squeeze of extra lemon juice.
• Serve with grilled veggies, rice, or flatbread for a complete meal!

If you enjoyed this recipe, don’t forget to pin it on Pinterest and share it with friends! Let us know in the comments how yours turned out! 😊

Tips & Tricks for the Best Peri Peri Chicken Skewers

✔ Roast the Red Pepper Properly – Char the red pepper well before peeling. This enhances the smoky depth of your peri peri marinade.

✔ Marinate Longer for Maximum Flavor – While 30 minutes works, marinating overnight deepens the flavor and makes the chicken extra juicy.

✔ Soak Wooden Skewers – If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken. This prevents them from burning in the air fryer.

✔ Preheat Your Air Fryer – Always preheat your air fryer for the crispiest results. This ensures even cooking and a nice char on the chicken.

✔ Don’t Overcrowd the Basket – Arrange the skewers in a single layer with space between them for even airflow and crispiness.

✔ Flip Halfway for Even Cooking – This helps brown the chicken evenly on all sides, giving it that grilled-like finish.

✔ Adjust Spice Levels – If you prefer milder heat, reduce the cayenne or omit the chili pepper. If you love extra spice, add more chili or a pinch of red pepper flakes.

✔ Use Thighs for Extra Juiciness – While chicken breast is lean and cooks quickly, boneless chicken thighs stay even juicier and more flavorful.

✔ Make Extra Sauce – The peri peri butter sauce is addictive! Double the batch and use it as a dip for fries, veggies, or even spread it on sandwiches.

✔ Try Different Cooking Methods – No air fryer? No problem! You can also:

• Grill: Cook on medium-high heat for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
• Oven: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.

These tips ensure your Peri Peri Chicken Skewers come out perfectly every time!

Craving a quick, comforting meal without drowning in leftovers? These small-batch Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Skewers are the answer. Each tender piece is marinated for extra flavor, then coated in crisp breadcrumbs that turn golden and irresistible after just a few minutes in the air fryer. It’s the kind of recipe that feels indulgent but uses a fraction of the oil you’d need to pan-fry.

Whether you’re planning a cozy weeknight dinner or a quick lunch fix, this simple dish has you covered. The marinade keeps the chicken moist, the air fryer locks in that crunch, and you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to pull everything together. No more wrestling with big pans of hot oil—just assemble, air fry, and serve.

Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Skewers

Ingredients

• 1 lbs chicken breast, cut into ¾-inch strips
• 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
• ¾ cup real mayonnaise
• 1 tsp fine sea salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 6 small wooden skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes if using wooden)
• Cooking spray (or a light drizzle of oil)
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp dried basil
• ¼ tsp dried thyme
• (Optional) pinch of chili flakes or cayenne pepper for a little heat

Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken
   1. In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, salt, black pepper, and your custom seasoning blend (oregano, basil, thyme, plus an optional pinch of chili flakes if you like some heat).
   2. Add the chicken strips to the bowl, making sure they’re fully coated.
   3. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (or overnight for deeper flavor).
2. Thread onto Skewers
   1. Remove the chicken from the fridge.
   2. Carefully thread each strip onto the skewers, keeping the flat sides facing roughly the same way for even air frying.
3. Bread the Skewers
   1. Pour the Italian breadcrumbs onto a large plate or shallow dish.
   2. Press or roll each chicken skewer into the breadcrumbs, patting gently so they stick.
   3. Shake off any excess crumbs.
4. Preheat and Arrange
   1. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) for about 3–5 minutes.
   2. Lightly mist the basket with cooking spray or use a small drizzle of oil.
   3. Place the skewers in a single layer. If they don’t all fit, it’s best to cook them in batches so they turn out crisp and evenly cooked.
5. Air Fry the Chicken
   1. Lightly spray the tops of the skewers with cooking spray to help brown the crumbs.
   2. Air fry at 380°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes, then use tongs to carefully flip each skewer.
   3. Continue cooking for another 4–5 minutes, or until golden and the internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer.
6. Serve and Enjoy
   1. Let the skewers rest for a minute on a plate.
   2. Serve hot. They’re fantastic on their own or paired with dipping sauces like ranch, barbecue, or even a zesty sriracha-mayo combo.

If these chicken skewers hit the spot, I’d love for you to share them on Pinterest and let everyone in on this crispy, savory goodness!

Flavor Variations for Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Skewers

Feel free to get creative with your seasonings to match any craving or occasion. Below are a few ideas to switch up the taste while keeping the same simple process:

1. Zesty Lemon-Herb
   • Marinade Boost: Add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and a pinch of lemon zest to your mayo mixture.
   • Herb Swap: Replace the oregano and basil with dried rosemary and parsley for a bright, citrusy spin.
   • Serving Suggestion: Serve with a side of lemon-garlic aioli or drizzle fresh lemon juice over the top just before serving.
2. Spicy Cajun Kick
   • Seasoning Twist: Swap the Italian breadcrumbs for plain breadcrumbs, and blend in 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning.
   • Amp Up the Heat: Stir a bit of cayenne pepper into the marinade if you really want to bring the fire.
   • Dipping Sauce: Cool things off with ranch or a creamy chipotle sauce on the side.
3. Savory Garlic-Parmesan
   • Cheesy Crumbs: Mix half a cup of grated Parmesan into your breadcrumbs for extra flavor.
   • Garlic Punch: Mince one or two garlic cloves into the marinade, or sprinkle garlic powder into the breadcrumb mixture.
   • Finishing Touch: Top the skewers with freshly grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of chopped parsley right before serving.
4. Sweet BBQ Glaze
   • Before the Breadcrumbs: Brush each chicken strip with a thin layer of barbecue sauce before coating in breadcrumbs.
   • Flavor Tip: Opt for a smoky or sweet BBQ sauce to complement the mayo marinade.
   • Post-Cook Glaze: Lightly dab extra BBQ sauce on the skewers once they’re done to give them a fresh, tangy finish.
5. Mediterranean-Inspired
   • Mediterranean Marinade: In place of the custom seasoning blend, add a teaspoon of dried oregano, a sprinkle of dried dill, and a hint of lemon zest to the mayo mixture.
   • Breadcrumb Mix-In: Consider folding in some crumbled feta or a little dried thyme for a bolder Mediterranean vibe.
   • Serving Suggestion: Pair with tzatziki sauce or a light cucumber and tomato salad.

Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Skewers Video Recipe