Homemade Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets Recipe
These Homemade Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets are crispy, tender, and packed with flavor. Marinated in pickle juice for a unique tang, then coated in a spiced flour mixture and fried to golden perfection, they make a perfect snack or meal accompaniment that rivals the fast food favorite.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (about 16 nuggets) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup pickle juice
Batter and Coating
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Frying
- Peanut oil, for frying
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, roughly 1 to 1.5 inches each. This ensures even cooking and easy eating.
- Marinate: Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and pour over 1/2 cup of pickle juice. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to impart a tangy flavor and tenderize the chicken.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup milk and 1 egg until fully combined.
- Prepare dry coating: In another bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Mix well to evenly distribute the spices and sugar.
- Coat the chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, then dip each piece first into the milk and egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Next, dredge each piece thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture to create a thick coating.
- Heat oil: Pour peanut oil into a deep skillet or frying pan to about 1–2 inches deep. Heat the oil over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C), using a thermometer to maintain accurate temperature.
- Fry the nuggets: Carefully add coated chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry until they turn golden brown and crispy, approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- Drain: Remove the fried nuggets with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
- Repeat: Continue frying the remaining chicken pieces in batches until all pieces are cooked.
- Serve: Serve the homemade chicken nuggets hot with your favorite dipping sauces such as honey mustard, BBQ, or ranch.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken in pickle juice is key to replicating that signature Chick-fil-A flavor and keeping the meat juicy.
- Maintain oil temperature at 350°F to ensure crispiness without absorbing too much oil.
- Use peanut oil or another high smoke point oil for best frying results.
- Do not overcrowd the pan while frying because it lowers the oil temperature and leads to soggy nuggets.
- For gluten-free variation, use gluten-free flour blends and verify spices accordingly.
Keywords: Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets, homemade chicken nuggets, fried chicken nuggets, crispy chicken bites, copycat chicken nuggets
