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Keto Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets (Pork Rind Crust, 8 Minutes)

Chunked chicken in a cream-enriched egg wash and fine pork rind crust, air fried in eight minutes flat for a fast, low-carb nugget.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 12 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 3 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 290
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb chicken breast or thighs cut into 1.25-inch chunks
  • 2 cups pork rinds crushed into fine crumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream or unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt plus more to finish
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • avocado oil spray

Equipment

  • Air fryer
  • Two shallow bowls
  • Meat thermometer

Method
 

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 to 4 minutes.
  2. Beat the egg with the cream. Combine the pork rind crumbs with the spices, salt, and pepper.
  3. Pat the chicken dry, dip in the egg wash, then press into the crumb mix until fully coated.
  4. Spray the basket, arrange the nuggets in a single layer, and mist the tops. Cook 8 minutes, flipping at 5 if browning unevenly.
  5. Rest 2 minutes and finish with a pinch of salt.

Notes

Fine crumbs stick, big chunks burn. Crush to panko-fine.
Egg-free binder: mayo thinned with a little water works.
Dairy-free: swap the cream for unsweetened almond milk.