Crispy Ranch Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

Sharing is caring!

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!

Love this recipe? Save it for later and share it with others by pinning the image below to your favorite Pinterest board!

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.

Sharing is caring!