Air Fryer Paleo Crispy Chicken Nuggets

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-02 · Updated 2026-07-02

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Tender, juicy chicken nuggets with a crispy paleo-friendly coating made without eggs or nuts, quickly cooked in the air fryer for a healthier take on a fast-food favorite. This American-inspired chicken recipe (paleo, whole30), ready in about 32 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, coconut milk, coconut flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

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Prep: 20 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 American cuisine 280 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 large, cut into 1-inch chunks chicken breasts
1/2 cup, full fat coconut milk
1/2 cup coconut flour
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
as needed coconut oil spray

The air fryer we’d crisp this in → Best Air Fryers for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

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Instructions

Step 1: Pour 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk into a medium bowl and add the 2 large chicken breasts cut into 1-inch chunks; stir to coat and let marinate for 15 minutes.
Step 2: In a separate shallow dish, combine 1/2 cup coconut flour, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Step 3: Remove each chicken piece from the coconut milk, letting excess drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the coconut flour mixture to coat evenly.
Step 4: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
Step 5: Arrange the coated chicken nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, spray lightly with coconut oil spray, and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and cooked through.
Step 6: Serve hot with your favorite Whole30-compliant dipping sauce.