Lemon Pepper Chicken Nuggets (Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Recipe)

These lemon pepper chicken nuggets are everything you want in a crispy, juicy air-fried bite — crunchy cornflake coating on the outside, tender chicken on the inside, all tossed in a bright, buttery lemon pepper sauce with honey, ginger, and a little heat. They come together fast, they deliver huge flavor, and they’re the perfect high-protein meal or snack that tastes like you spent way more time making them.

Servings: 4–6 nuggets per serving

Calories: ~420

Protein: ~22g

Ingredients

Chicken

• Chicken thighs — 1 per person (cut into nugget-sized pieces)
• 1–2 cups crushed Corn Flakes
• 1 cup flour
• Flour seasonings:
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 2 tbsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp salt
• 2 beaten eggs (for every 3 chicken thighs)
• Cooking oil spray (avocado oil recommended)

Lemon Pepper Sauce

• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1-inch piece ginger, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• Juice of 1 lemon
• ½ cup honey
• ¼ cup water
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• ½ tbsp crushed red pepper

How to Make Lemon Pepper Chicken Nuggets

Directions

Air Fryer Chicken

1. Season the flour: Combine flour with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix well.
2. Prepare the breading station: Use three bowls — seasoned flour, beaten eggs, and crushed corn flakes.
3. Bread the chicken:
   • Coat each chicken piece in flour
   • Dip into the egg mixture
   • Press firmly into the crushed corn flakes to form a crispy coating
4. Air fry the nuggets: Place nuggets in the air fryer basket with space between each piece.Spray generously with cooking oil.
5. Cook:
   • Air fry at 385°F (196°C) for 12 minutes
   • At the halfway point, flip the nuggets and spray again
   • Cook until internal temp reaches 165°F (73.8°C)
6. Cool: Set cooked nuggets on a wire rack or strainer so the bottom stays crispy.

Lemon Pepper Sauce

1. Heat sesame oil in a small pot over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and ginger; cook quickly until fragrant.
3. Add lemon juice followed by water.
4. Stir in soy sauce and rice vinegar.
5. If sauce gets too thick, add a splash of water.
6. Add black pepper and crushed red pepper to taste.

Combine & Serve

Add the crispy nuggets to the sauce and toss until fully coated.Serve over rice and veggies for best experience

Lemon Pepper Chicken Nuggets (Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Recipe)

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Servings: 4 nuggets per serving

Calories: 420

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

Chicken

• Chicken thighs — 1 per person (cut into nugget-sized pieces)
• 1–2 cups crushed Corn Flakes
• 1 cup flour
• Flour seasonings:
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 2 tbsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp salt
• 2 beaten eggs (for every 3 chicken thighs)
• Cooking oil spray (avocado oil recommended)

Lemon Pepper Sauce

• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1-inch piece ginger, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• Juice of 1 lemon
• ½ cup honey
• ¼ cup water
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• ½ tbsp crushed red pepper

Method

 

Air Fryer Chicken

1. Season the flour: Combine flour with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix well.
2. Prepare the breading station: Use three bowls — seasoned flour, beaten eggs, and crushed corn flakes.
3. Bread the chicken:
4. Coat each chicken piece in flour
5. Dip into the egg mixture
6. Press firmly into the crushed corn flakes to form a crispy coating
7. Air fry the nuggets: Place nuggets in the air fryer basket with space between each piece.Spray generously with cooking oil.
8. Cook:
9. Air fry at 385°F (196°C) for 12 minutes
10. At the halfway point, flip the nuggets and spray again
11. Cook until internal temp reaches 165°F (73.8°C)
12. Cool: Set cooked nuggets on a wire rack or strainer so the bottom stays crispy.

Lemon Pepper Sauce

1. Heat sesame oil in a small pot over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and ginger; cook quickly until fragrant.
3. Add lemon juice followed by water.
4. Stir in soy sauce and rice vinegar.
5. If sauce gets too thick, add a splash of water.
6. Add black pepper and crushed red pepper to taste.

Combine & Serve

1. Add the crispy nuggets to the sauce and toss until fully coated.Serve over rice and veggies for best experience