Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Bring the iconic taste of Chick-fil-A into your kitchen with this Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets recipe. It’s easy, tastes amazing, and you’ll nail that signature flavor with ingredients right from your pantry. Perfect for a tasty snack or a family meal, they’re ready in just 30 minutes!
Why you will love making Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets
Making Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets at home is not just about satisfying those fast-food cravings; it’s about creating something delicious in your own kitchen. Here’s why you’ll enjoy it:
- Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry already.
- Quick to Make: No need to wait in line; these nuggets come together fast.
- Customizable: Adjust the seasoning to your liking for that perfect taste.
- Family-Friendly: A guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Ideal for a cozy night in, parties, or a snack during game day.
- Saves Money: Cheaper than eating out and you get to control the portions.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to make Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Making this copycat recipe at home is so easy. Here’s how to do it:
Chicken Prep
Start by cubing your chicken breasts into about 1-inch pieces. In a bowl, mix these bite-sized pieces of boneless chicken breast with milk and dill pickle juice. This mixture should sit for about an hour in the fridge to marinate, which is key to getting that tender, juicy Chick-fil-A taste.
Coating the Nuggets
After marinating, crack an egg into your chicken mixture and stir until it’s fully mixed in. Then, in a separate bowl, combine all-purpose flour, paprika powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. This is your coating mixture, which will give the nuggets their signature flavor and crunch.
Frying to Perfection
Heat your vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 180ºC (355ºF). Take the chicken pieces out of the marinade, letting the excess liquid drip off, then coat them in the flour mixture. Fry the chicken tenders until they’re golden brown and cooked through. Remember to work in batches to keep the oil temperature steady.
Serving
Once fried, let the nuggets drain on a paper towel to remove excess oil. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce for that authentic Chick-fil-A experience right at home.
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
Here are some tips and tricks to ensure your fried chicken nuggets turn out perfect every time:
- Marinating: For the best flavor, don’t skip the marinating step. If you have time, letting the chicken marinate overnight in the brine will enhance the taste even more.
- Oil: Peanut oil is great for getting the nuggets extra crispy as it has a high smoke point.
- Oil Temperature: Keeping the oil at the right temperature (180ºC or 355ºF) is crucial. If it’s too hot, the nuggets will burn on the outside before cooking inside. Too cool, and they’ll absorb too much oil and become greasy.
- Breading Technique: Ensure each piece of chicken is well-coated with the flour mixture. Shake off any excess to avoid clumps of flour in your oil.
- Cooking in Batches: Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cooking in batches helps maintain the oil temperature and ensures each nugget cooks evenly.
- Draining: After frying, let the nuggets drain on a paper towel to remove excess oil. This step will keep them crispy.
- Season Immediately: For an extra flavor boost, sprinkle a little salt on the nuggets right after they come out of the oil.
- Customize Your Seasoning: Feel free to experiment with spices like onion powder, cayenne pepper, or even a bit of curry powder for a unique twist on the classic flavor.
- Air Fryer: You can make these nuggets in an air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (390°F) and cook for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Baking: You can bake them at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re crispy and fully cooked. Baking is a healthier option, though the texture may be slightly different from frying.
- Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs can be used for a juicier nugget, though they may have a slightly different flavor profile. Just make sure they’re boneless and skinless.
- How do I know when the nuggets are cooked through? The nuggets are done when they’re golden brown on the outside and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.
How to Store Leftover Chicken Nuggets
Got leftovers? Here’s how to keep them crispy and delicious for later:
- Cool Completely: Before storing, make sure the nuggets are completely cooled to room temperature.
- Refrigerate: Store the cooled nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: For longer storage, freeze the nuggets on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll last for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Reheat the nuggets in an oven or air fryer to keep them crispy. Microwaving is not recommended as it tends to make them soft.
Our Top 3 Money Saving Tips for This Recipe
Making Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets at home is not just delicious, it’s also cost-effective. Here are three tips to save even more money:
- Buy Chicken in Bulk: Look for sales on chicken breasts and freeze what you don’t use for later.
- Use Generic Brands: For ingredients like flour, milk, and spices, generic brands are just as good and cheaper.
- Reuse Oil: Strain and store the frying oil to use one more time for dishes like fries or other fried foods.
What to Serve with Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets
Pairing your homemade Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets with the right sides and sauces can turn a simple snack into a complete meal. Here’s what goes well with them:
Dipping Sauces
The right sauce can elevate your chicken nuggets to the next level. Classics like honey mustard sauce, ranch, yellow mustard, ketchup, and barbecue sauce are always a hit. For something closer to the Chick-fil-A experience, try making a copycat Chick-fil-A sauce or a spicy Sriracha mayo for a kick.
Bread
Turn your nuggets into chicken sandwiches by serving them between two slices of bread or in a bun, loaded with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and cheese. Make it spicy with a few drops of hot sauce!
Side Dishes
Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets pair wonderfully with a variety of sides. Try serving them with crispy fries or waffle fries for a classic combo. For a healthier option, a side salad or some fresh fruit complements the savory nuggets nicely. Mac and cheese is another crowd-pleaser that goes great with chicken nuggets, offering a creamy contrast to the crispy coating.
Drinks
Complete your meal with the perfect drink. Lemonade, iced tea, or a simple soda can refresh and balance out the flavors.
More Copycat Recipes You Will Love
- Homemade KFC Zinger Burger Recipe
- Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
- Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta Recipe
- Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara Recipe
- Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
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Chick Fil A Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts cut into cubes about 1 inch
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup dill pickle juice
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- 1 cup vegetable oil to fry
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine chicken with milk and pickle juice. Let it sit for 1 hour in the refrigerator.2 chicken breasts, ½ cup milk, ½ cup dill pickle juice
- Remove from the refrigerator. Crack an egg into the mixture and stir or mix until the egg is fully incorporated.1 egg
- In another bowl, combine the flour, paprika powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper.1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon paprika powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, Salt and pepper
- Drip the excess liquid from the chicken pieces and coat them with the flour mixture.
- Heat oil in a deep skillet to 180ºC (355ºF).1 cup vegetable oil
- Fry the chicken nuggets until golden brown and cooked through, work in batches so you keep the temperature of the oil.
- Serve with the dipping sauce and enjoy.
Notes
- Marinating: For the best flavor, don’t skip the marinating step. If you have time, letting the chicken marinate overnight in the brine will enhance the taste even more.
- Oil: Peanut oil is great for getting the nuggets extra crispy as it has a high smoke point.
- Oil Temperature: Keeping the oil at the right temperature (180ºC or 355ºF) is crucial. If it’s too hot, the nuggets will burn on the outside before cooking inside. Too cool, and they’ll absorb too much oil and become greasy.
- Breading Technique: Ensure each piece of chicken is well-coated with the flour mixture. Shake off any excess to avoid clumps of flour in your oil.
- Cooking in Batches: Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cooking in batches helps maintain the oil temperature and ensures each nugget cooks evenly.
- Draining: After frying, let the nuggets drain on a paper towel to remove excess oil. This step will keep them crispy.
- Season Immediately: For an extra flavor boost, sprinkle a little salt on the nuggets right after they come out of the oil.
- Customize Your Seasoning: Feel free to experiment with spices like onion powder, cayenne pepper, or even a bit of curry powder for a unique twist on the classic flavor.
- Air Fryer: You can make these nuggets in an air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (390°F) and cook for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Baking: You can bake them at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re crispy and fully cooked. Baking is a healthier option, though the texture may be slightly different from frying.
- Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs can be used for a juicier nugget, though they may have a slightly different flavor profile. Just make sure they’re boneless and skinless.
- How do I know when the nuggets are cooked through? The nuggets are done when they’re golden brown on the outside and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Cool Completely: Before storing, make sure the nuggets are completely cooled to room temperature.
- Refrigerate: Store the cooled nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: For longer storage, freeze the nuggets on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll last for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Reheat the nuggets in an oven or air fryer to keep them crispy. Microwaving is not recommended as it tends to make them soft.
