Chick Fil A Nuggets are a delicious homemade copycat recipe that are the perfect alternative to going to the drive thru! Featuring tender chicken breast coated in a flavorful, crispy coating and dipped in your favorite Chick Fil A sauce!
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The Best CopyCat Chick Fil A Nuggets
Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets are one of my favorite fast food dupes to make at home! They are perfectly tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. And you can even make the beloved Chick Fil A sauce at home too!
Sometimes it is easier to go to the drive thru, but when you want to have a home cooked meal that everyone will love, you can make these right at home with simple ingredients. Or, maybe you have a Chick Fil A craving on a Sunday when they are closed! Either way, you can definitely make amazing chicken nuggets at home with this easy chickfila nuggets recipe!
Ingredients Needed
- Chicken Breast: Chick fil a nuggets are made with boneless, skinless chicken breast. You can dice up the raw chicken into nugget size pieces!
- Pickle Juice: Pickle juice has the perfect amount of salt and acidity for a marinade that will season the chicken and tenderize it to perfection.
- Milk & Egg: After marinating the chicken with some pickle juice, you will coat the chicken in milk in egg so that there is a layer that will help the flour stick to the chicken.
- Flour & Cornstarch: A combination of flour and cornstarch will coat the outside of the chicken and make these extra crispy!
- Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar will caramelize a bit when it is fried, creating a crunchy outer layer that has a lovely balance of flavors.
- Spices: Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper will season up these nuggets to perfection!
- Peanut Oil: To fry! If you are allergic to peanuts, use another neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil.
- For the Chick Fil A Sauce: A simple combination of dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise and barbecue sauce will make a sauce that tastes just like the classic chick fil a sauce!
How to Make Chick Fil A Nuggets
- Brine: Add the cubed chicken and pickle juice to a large ziplock bag. Place in the refrigerator and marinate for 2 hours.
- Add Egg & Milk: After the chicken is done marinating, add the milk and egg to the same ziplock bag and toss to coat the chicken.
- Coat in Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl combine flour, cornstarch, powdered sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Add the marinated chicken to the flour mixture making sure to remove excess marinade and toss to coat the chicken.
- Heat Oil: Add a couple of inches of peanut oil to a large pot or skillet with high sides. Preheat oil to 350 degrees. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken in batches. I usually do two.
- Fry the Chicken: Fry the chicken for 3-5 minutes or until golden brown on the outside. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to remove excess oil.
- Make the Sauce: Add all of the ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until combined and lump free. Set aside until the chicken nuggets are ready!
- Serve: Serve the chicken immediately with chick fil a sauce for dipping and enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Don’t overcrowd the pan with chicken! This will lower the temperature of the oil, so be sure to work in batches and give each piece of chicken plenty of space!
- Make sure to fry Chick Fil A nuggets in a neutral oil that has a high smoke point. Something like peanut oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, or avocado oil work well. Avoid oils like olive oil or coconut oil because they have a strong taste. And, olive oil will burn when it is cooked to a high temperature!
- Serve your copycat Chick Fil A nuggets with the homemade Chickfila sauce, homemade ranch, fresh french fries, and even some cozy baked mac and cheese!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does this chicken nuggets recipe have powdered sugar?
The powdered sugar might throw you off, but don’t skip it! The little bit of sweetness balances out the flavors beautifully and even helps these chick fil a nuggets get super crispy.
Do I have to marinate the chicken in pickle juice?
I recommend it. Marinating the chicken in pickle juice adds SO much flavor and is a great way to make juicy and tender chicken nuggets, just like you can get at Chick-fil-A. If you don’t have pickle juice on hand, you can buy a new jar of pickles and use the juice. The pickles will be just fine without the juice! If you don’t want to marinate the chicken in pickle juice, you can marinate it in the just milk to tenderize it!
How should I store and reheat these chicken nuggets?
Store any leftover chicken nuggets in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days! Reheat in the oven or air fryer until heated through to keep them nice and crispy.
More Chicken Recipes to Try
- Marry Me Chicken
- Baked Chicken Tenders
- Slow Cooker Orange Chicken
- Chicken Katsu
- Chicken Burrito Bowls
Chick Fil A Nuggets
Chick Fil A Nuggets are a delicious homemade copycat recipe that are the perfect alternative to going to the drive thru! Featuring tender chicken breast coated in a flavorful, crispy coating and dipped in your favorite Chick Fil A sauce!
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes mins
Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
Marinating Time: 2 hours hrs
Total Time: 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Ingredients
Chick Fil A Nuggets
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed into bite size pieces
- 1/2 cup pickle juice
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- peanut oil for frying
Chick Fil A Sauce
- 2 tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
Chick Fil A Nuggets
Add cubed chicken and pickle juice to a large ziplock bag. Place in the refrigerator and marinate for 2 hours.
After the chicken is done marinating add the milk and egg to the same ziplock bag and toss to coat the chicken.
In a medium bowl combine flour, cornstarch, powdered sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
Add the marinated chicken to the flour mixture making sure to remove excess marinade and toss to coat the chicken.
Add a couple inches of peanut oil to a large pot or skillet with high sides. Preheat oil to 350 degrees.
Once the oil is hot add in the chicken in batches (I typically do two).
Fry the chicken for 3-5 minutes or until golden brown on the outside.
Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to remove excess oil.
Serve immediately with chick fila sauce for dipping!
Chick Fil A Sauce
Add all of the ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until combine and lump free. Set aside until the chicken nuggets are ready!
Nutrition Information
Calories: 572kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 29gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 134mgSodium: 2215mgPotassium: 596mgFiber: 2gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 464IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 73mgIron: 2mg
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As a culinary enthusiast with a deep understanding of home cooking and a penchant for replicating popular restaurant dishes, I'm excited to share my expertise on this fantastic Chick Fil A Nuggets recipe. My experience in recreating beloved fast-food favorites at home, combined with my knowledge of ingredients and cooking techniques, makes me confident in providing valuable insights into this recipe.
Let's delve into the key concepts and components of this CopyCat Chick Fil A Nuggets recipe:
-
Chicken Breast:
- The recipe calls for boneless, skinless chicken breast, emphasizing the importance of using this cut for its tenderness and mild flavor.
-
Pickle Juice Marinade:
- The use of pickle juice serves a dual purpose. It imparts both saltiness and acidity to the chicken, acting as a flavorful marinade that not only seasons the meat but also tenderizes it.
-
Milk & Egg Coating:
- After marinating in pickle juice, the chicken is coated with a mixture of milk and egg. This creates a layer that helps the flour adhere to the chicken, resulting in a crispy coating.
-
Flour & Cornstarch Coating:
- The combination of flour and cornstarch forms the outer coating of the chicken, providing a crispy texture when fried. The cornstarch contributes to extra crispiness.
-
Powdered Sugar:
- The inclusion of powdered sugar might seem unconventional, but it plays a crucial role. When fried, the powdered sugar caramelizes, creating a crunchy outer layer that balances the flavors, adding a touch of sweetness.
-
Spices:
- The spice blend includes paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. This combination ensures that the nuggets are well-seasoned, delivering a harmonious flavor profile.
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Peanut Oil for Frying:
- Peanut oil is recommended for frying due to its high smoke point, which is essential for achieving a crispy exterior. However, alternatives like canola or vegetable oil can be used for those with peanut allergies.
-
Chick Fil A Sauce:
- The homemade Chick Fil A sauce is a simple yet delicious blend of dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, and barbecue sauce. This replicates the classic Chick Fil A sauce, providing the perfect accompaniment for dipping.
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Cooking Process:
- The step-by-step process involves marinating the chicken, coating it in the flour mixture, and frying in batches until golden brown. The result is perfectly tender on the inside and crispy on the outside Chick Fil A Nuggets.
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Tips for Success:
- The recipe includes valuable tips, such as not overcrowding the pan during frying, using a neutral oil with a high smoke point, and serving the nuggets with the homemade Chick Fil A sauce for an authentic experience.
In conclusion, this CopyCat Chick Fil A Nuggets recipe showcases a thoughtful combination of ingredients and techniques, allowing you to recreate the beloved fast-food experience in the comfort of your home. The attention to detail, from the marinade to the coating and the flavorful sauce, ensures a delightful and satisfying homemade alternative to the drive-thru. Enjoy the culinary adventure!
