3 ingredient chicken nuggets with canned chicken

Did we mention one of them is cheese?

Published on November 2, 2021

Just when we thought the novelty of the air fryer had worn off, we discovered a brand new reason to love it. Thanks to a recipe by OMGitsCRISTINA on YouTube, we'll be snacking on three-ingredient air-fried chicken nuggets until further notice.

After trying out this recipe for myself, the biggest shock was the crispy, golden exterior on each bite. The crunch was so flaky that I couldn't believe these nugs were completely void of any starchy filler or breadcrumb coating. Plus, they're stuffed with cheese (!!!) for a salty, chewy binder. Fast food chains haven't even made it that far in food ingenuity.

Now, this recipe starts with canned chicken... I know—it's not the sexiest can in the cabinet, but once you realize how much time, energy, and money this hack saves you, you'll be quick to love the stuff. Of course, if you're really opposed, you can always shred an oven-roasted or rotisserie chicken by hand. But personally, I think you should simply trust the process.

With just chicken, cheese, and eggs, these nuggets contain far fewer processed ingredients than almost anything comparable you'd find in stores. Plus, they're grain-free, so perfect for keto or gluten-free eaters. Dip these crisp, tender nugs into your favorite homemade sauce, or use up the packets of fast food sauce you've been storing in your junk drawer. In 15 minutes, you'll have hot and fresh nuggets coming straight out of your very own kitchen—and that's significantly faster than UberEats. Trust me when I say that eating nuggets for dinner will make your inner child very happy.

How to Make 3-Ingredient Air-fried Chicken Nuggets

Yield: 6-7 nuggets

• 2 cans of cooked chicken breast
• ⅓ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 large egg
• Hot sauce (optional)
• Cooking spray

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Drain any liquid from the canned chicken and add the chicken to a bowl. Shred finely using forks.
2. Add the cheese, egg, and hot sauce (if desired) to the bowl and stir until thoroughly combined.
3. Form 6-7 chicken patties from the mixture. Spray the nuggets and the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Cook for 15-20 minutes, and allow to cool before serving.