Air Fryer Taiwanese Spicy Chicken Nuggets
These small bite size boneless chicken nuggets are full of flavor and spice.
One of my favorite things is going to an Asian bakery that sells bubble tea, Asian pastries, and has spicy chicken nuggets. There is something special about crispy spicy chicken nuggets. This recipe is my version of Taiwanese spicy chicken nuggets in the air fryer.
Why this recipe is great?
Cooking the chicken in the air fryer allows for the chicken to be nice and crispy, but also using less oil while cooking it- ultimately making it slightly healthier.
How to create these air fryer chicken nuggets:
First, marinate the chicken with garlic powder, five spice, oyster sauce, thin soy sauce, garlic, white pepper, and Shaoxing wine. Allow chicken to marinate for about 30 minutes.
Then add potato flour and cornstarch. Coating the chicken evenly.
Spray cooking oil to the air fryer rack or air fryer basket.
Place pieces of chicken on air fryer making sure there is space between chicken pieces. This allows the chicken nuggets to get crispy. Spray cooking oil on chicken pieces.
Cook at 400 degrees F for 4 minutes then flipping chicken nuggets. Spray chicken nuggets one more time and cook for another 4 minutes. If chicken pieces are larger then you may need to add 1-2 more minutes on each side. Add up to 3 minutes or until chicken pieces become golden brown and crispy.
For crispy basil bites, spray basil with cooking oil and air fry for 1-2 minutes at 400 degrees F. Note basil may fly around or pop in air fryer due to light weight of basil.
Mix salt and cayenne pepper in small mixing bowl.
Sprinkle spices mixture on chicken nuggets and basil. Serve immediately while hot.
Extra Tips:
Make sure when cutting the chicken to have them about the same size. Smaller pieces will dry out when cooking. Having the same size chicken allows them to cook evenly.
Air Fryer Taiwanese Spicy Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thighs cut into bite-size pieces
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp five spice
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tsp thin soy sauce
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- ½ tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp Shaoxing wine
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- ¼ cup potato starch
- spray cooking oil
- a handful of Thai basil leaves
Spice Mixture
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add chicken, garlic powder, five-spice, oyster sauce, thin soy sauce, garlic, white pepper, and Shaoxing wine. Allow chicken to marinate for about 30 minutes.
- After the chicken has marinated add potato starch and cornstarch. Tossing the chicken to ensure each piece is coated evenly.
- Spray cooking oil to the air fryer rack or air fryer basket. Place pieces of chicken on the air fryer making sure there is space between chicken pieces. This allows the chicken nuggets to get crispy. Spray cooking oil on chicken pieces.
- Cook at 400 degrees F for 4 minutes then flipping chicken nuggets. Spray chicken nuggets one more time and cook for another 4 minutes. If chicken pieces are larger then you may need to add 1-2 more minutes on each side. Add up to 3 minutes or until chicken pieces become golden brown and crispy.
- For crispy basil bites, spray basil with cooking oil and air fry for 1-2 minutes at 400 degrees F. Note basil may fly around or pop in air fryer due to lightweight.
- Mix salt and cayenne pepper in a small mixing bowl. Sprinkle spices mixture on chicken nuggets and basil. Use less spice mixture if you prefer less spiciness. Serve immediately while hot.