Description
These Almost Chick Fil-A Chicken Nuggets offer a crispy, flavorful copycat version of the beloved fast-food favorite. Marinated in tangy dill pickle juice and coated with a seasoned flour mixture, these homemade chicken nuggets deliver that signature Chick-fil-A taste with a juicy interior and golden exterior. Perfect for a quick dinner or a crowd-pleasing snack, they’re easy to prepare and can be fried, air-fried, or baked to suit your preference.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 1 cup dill pickle juice
Batter and Coating
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
For Frying
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken pieces in a bowl or a zip-top bag and pour in the dill pickle juice. Seal and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour to infuse the chicken with flavor and tenderize it.
- Prepare the Wet Mixture: Drain the pickle juice from the chicken and pat the pieces dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, whisk together the whole milk and egg until fully combined.
- Prepare the Dry Coating: In another bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder thoroughly to ensure even seasoning.
- Coat the Nuggets: Dip each chicken piece into the egg and milk mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Then dredge the piece in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to coat each nugget well and ensure a crispy crust.
- Heat the Oil: In a deep skillet or saucepan, pour enough vegetable oil to reach about 2 inches depth. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C) using a thermometer for accuracy.
- Fry the Nuggets: Fry the chicken nuggets in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking them for 3 to 4 minutes per batch. Turn the nuggets as needed until they are golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Drain and Serve: Remove the cooked nuggets with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve the nuggets hot with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
- For an extra crispy texture, double dip the nuggets in the egg mixture and flour coating before frying.
- These nuggets can also be prepared using an air fryer or baked in the oven for a healthier alternative, though they will be slightly less crispy.
- Marinating in dill pickle juice is critical to achieving the authentic Chick-fil-A flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 30-60 minutes marinating)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 6 nuggets
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
