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Chick fil a chicken nuggets are a delicious and popular fast food item that's sure to satisfy your cravings. Made with high-quality ingredients and cooked to perfection, these nuggets are a great choice for anyone looking for a quick and tasty meal. With a variety of ordering options and customization choices, Chick fil a chicken nuggets are a versatile option that can fit into any meal or occasion. This recipe is nearly identical to Chick fil a chicken nuggets!
I have worked on this recipe so many times that I almost gave up on it. But, I got it VERY close this time. I'm happy with this copycat Chick fil A recipe!
I like to dip them in my homemade Chick fil a chicken nuggets.
The Brine
One of the things that I found to important is the brine. I tried it with a brine and without a brine and noticed that the brine created a similar flavor and juiciness to Chick fil A. I've heard that they don't brine their chicken inside of the restaurants, but I'm pretty sure that the chicken is brined in the factory. Chick fil a chicken nuggets are made with 100% whole breast meat, seasoned with a blend of spices and breaded with a gluten-free coating.
A lot of recipes seem to use pickle juice as the brine. I tried using pickle juice and it just didn't seem quite right - it was missing something. This brine worked much better and is the same one that I use for pork chops.
The brine is simple: water, salt, and sugar. That's it! Just mix all of the ingredients into cold water until dissolved. You can also dissolve the ingredients into warm water, but you will need to cool it down before adding the chicken. Brine for 4-6 hours. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!
Type of Chicken
This recipe calls for chicken breasts, which is the same cut of chicken that Chick fil A uses for their sandwiches. After brining, cut the chicken into nugget sized pieces.
Breading the Chicken
Double dredge each piece. The wet dip is simply milk and eggs.
First, dredge into seasoned flour, then the wet dip, then back into the flour.
Next, press the flour into the chicken to keep the breading from falling off.
Use a strainer to shake off the excess flour and to add texture to the nuggets.
Tip: add a couple of tablespoons of milk/eggs into the flour and then mix with a fork. This will give the nuggets texture.
Frying the Chicken
I have fried using a skillet and a deep fryer and found that the deep fryer is better for chicken sandwiches. If you don't have a deep fryer you can use a dutch oven or even a large saucepan.
When ordering, you can customize your nuggets by requesting specific sauces. Chick fil A offers a variety of dipping sauces, including their famous Chick fil A Sauce, Polynesian Sauce, and Honey Mustard Sauce, among others. You can also order your nuggets grilled instead of fried if you're looking for a healthier option.
Chicken Sandwich
This recipe also works for making the Chick fil A chicken sandwich.
FAQs About Chick fil A Chicken Nuggets
1. What are Chick fil A Nuggets made of?
- Chick-fil-A Nuggets are made from 100% whole breast meat chicken. The chicken is seasoned with a blend of spices and hand-breaded before being cooked to perfection.
2. Are Chick fil A Chicken Nuggets gluten free?
- Chick fil A Chicken Nuggets are not considered gluten-free as they are coated in a breading that contains wheat flour. However, Chick-fil-A offers gluten-free options, such as their Grilled Chicken Nuggets.
3. What sauces are available for dipping Chick fil A Chicken Nuggets?
- Chick fil A offers a variety of delicious dipping sauces, including Chick-fil-A Sauce, Polynesian Sauce, Barbecue Sauce, Honey Mustard, and more. You can choose your favorite to accompany your nuggets.
4. Can I order Chick fil A Chicken Nuggets in different portion sizes?
- Yes, you can order Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets in various portion sizes, including 4-count, 6-count, 8-count, and even catering-sized trays for larger gatherings.
5. How many calories are in Chic fil A Chicken Nuggets?
- The calorie count for Chick fil A Chicken Nuggets varies depending on the portion size. For example, a 6-count serving typically contains around 270 calories, while an 8-count serving has approximately 360 calories.
6. Do Chick fil A Chicken Nuggets contain any artificial additives or preservatives?
- Chick fil A is committed to serving high-quality food, and their Chicken Nuggets are made without any artificial additives or preservatives. They prioritize using simple, natural ingredients.
7. Are Chick fil A Chicken Nuggets available all day?
- Chic fil A typically serves their Chicken Nuggets as part of their lunch and dinner menu. However, some locations may offer breakfast options featuring chicken, but it may not be in the nugget form.
8. Can I order Chick fil A Chicken Nuggets for catering or large events?
- Yes, Chick fil A offers catering services, and you can order trays of Chicken Nuggets to cater to your event or party. Be sure to check with your local Chick-fil-A for catering availability.
9. Are Chick fil A Chicken Nuggets suitable for kids?
- Chick fil A Chicken Nuggets are a popular choice for kids due to their small, bite-sized portions and delicious flavor. They are often available as part of Chick-fil-A's kid's meals.
10. Can I customize my Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets order?
- Yes, Chick-fil-A is known for its exceptional customer service, and they are often willing to accommodate special requests. You can ask for specific sauces or customize your order to suit your preferences.
Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets Recipe
- Author: cookwithleo
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Brine: 6 hours
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
Ingredients
Scale
For brine:
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 cups water
¼ cup salt
2 tbs sugar
For dredge:
1 cup milk
2 eggs
2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp MSG (Accent)
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp cayenne pepper
Oil for frying
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix salt, sugar and water until dissolved.
- Add chicken and refrigerate for 4-6 hours.
- Remove chicken from brine.
- In a bowl, beat milk and eggs.
- In another bowl, mix flour, seasonings and baking powder. Be sure to combine well.
- Dredge each piece into flour, then milk/eggs, then back into flour. Use a strainer to get rid of excess flour and to add texture to the nuggets.
- Deep fry until chicken is done(about 5 minutes).
- Serve with homemade Chick-fil-A sauce.
Keywords: chick-fil-a chicken nuggets
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As an avid enthusiast and seasoned cook, I've delved deep into the world of replicating restaurant recipes, and the Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets have been a particular triumph for me. This endeavor has not been a casual one; I've meticulously fine-tuned this copycat recipe through numerous iterations, almost reaching the point of surrender. However, my persistence has paid off, and I'm excited to share the secrets that make this recipe nearly identical to the beloved Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets.
One crucial element I discovered in my pursuit of perfection is the brine. While there's speculation about whether Chick-fil-A uses a brine in their restaurants, my experiments revealed that a brine significantly contributes to the flavor and juiciness characteristic of Chick-fil-A's nuggets. Contrary to popular pickle juice brines, I found that a simple mixture of water, salt, and sugar yielded optimal results. This brine, a technique borrowed from my experience with pork chops, is a key step not to be skipped; it sets the foundation for the authentic taste.
The choice of chicken is paramount, mirroring Chick-fil-A's commitment to quality. This recipe specifically calls for chicken breasts, the same cut used in Chick-fil-A's sandwiches. After the brining process, the chicken is cut into nugget-sized pieces, ensuring uniformity in each delightful bite.
Breading is an art in itself, and I employ a double-dredge method to achieve that signature Chick-fil-A texture. The wet dip, a simple combination of milk and eggs, sets the stage for the seasoned flour mixture. This two-step process, along with a unique tip of adding a bit of milk/eggs into the flour for added texture, results in nuggets that are crisp, flavorful, and true to the original.
The cooking process is another critical aspect. While a skillet can do the job, I've found that a deep fryer delivers the best results for replicating the Chick-fil-A experience. However, for those without a deep fryer, a dutch oven or a large saucepan can be a suitable alternative.
Now, let's address some frequently asked questions about Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets:
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What are Chick-fil-A Nuggets made of? Chick-fil-A Nuggets are made from 100% whole breast meat chicken, seasoned and hand-breaded.
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Are Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets gluten-free? No, Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets are not gluten-free due to the wheat flour in their breading. However, the restaurant offers gluten-free options like Grilled Chicken Nuggets.
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What sauces are available for dipping Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets? Chick-fil-A provides a variety of dipping sauces, including the famous Chick-fil-A Sauce, Polynesian Sauce, Barbecue Sauce, Honey Mustard, and more.
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Can I order Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets in different portion sizes? Yes, Chick-fil-A offers various portion sizes, including 4-count, 6-count, 8-count, and catering-sized trays.
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How many calories are in Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets? Caloric content varies by portion size, with a 6-count serving typically containing around 270 calories.
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Do Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets contain any artificial additives or preservatives? No, Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets are made without artificial additives or preservatives, emphasizing the use of simple, natural ingredients.
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Are Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets available all day? Chick-fil-A typically serves Chicken Nuggets as part of their lunch and dinner menu, though some locations may offer chicken in different forms for breakfast.
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Can I order Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets for catering or large events? Yes, Chick-fil-A offers catering services, allowing you to order trays of Chicken Nuggets for events.
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Are Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets suitable for kids? Yes, Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets are popular among kids due to their small, bite-sized portions and delicious flavor.
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Can I customize my Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets order? Absolutely, Chick-fil-A is known for accommodating special requests, allowing you to customize your order with specific sauces or preferences.
In conclusion, replicating Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets is not just a culinary endeavor; it's a journey of precision, from the brine to the breading. With this recipe, you can recreate the magic of Chick-fil-A in your own kitchen, complete with customizable options and the assurance of high-quality, flavorful nuggets.
