Healthy Air Fryer Greek Chicken Nuggets with Spinach and Feta
Tender chicken nuggets blended with fresh spinach and tangy feta cheese, air fried to golden perfection for a healthy and delicious Greek-inspired snack or meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) chicken breast, finely chopped or ground
- 1 cup (30g) fresh spinach, finely chopped
- ½ cup (75g) feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- ½ cup (60g) whole wheat breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Olive oil spray, for air frying
Instructions
- Finely chop the fresh spinach and set aside. Cut chicken breast into small pieces or pulse in a food processor until finely ground (about 5 minutes).
- In a medium bowl, combine chopped chicken, spinach, crumbled feta, minced garlic, onion powder, dried oregano, and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the egg and breadcrumbs to the mixture. Stir together until well combined but not overworked. Adjust moisture by adding more breadcrumbs if too wet or a splash of water/extra egg white if too dry.
- Shape the mixture into bite-sized nuggets about 1 ½ inches (4 cm) each. Place on a baking sheet or plate lined with parchment paper.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes and lightly spray the basket with olive oil.
- Arrange nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket without touching. Cook for 10 minutes, flip nuggets, spray lightly with olive oil spray, then cook an additional 5-7 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Let nuggets rest for a few minutes after cooking. Serve warm with tzatziki, lemon yogurt dip, or your favorite sauce.
Notes
Use almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to make gluten-free. Swap feta for dairy-free cheese for dairy-free option. Kale can substitute spinach. Spray air fryer basket and nuggets with olive oil spray to prevent sticking and promote crispiness. Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 6 nuggets
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: air fryer chicken nuggets, Greek chicken nuggets, spinach feta chicken, healthy chicken nuggets, easy chicken nuggets, Mediterranean chicken, kid-friendly chicken nuggets