Description
“Make crispy, juicy Chick-fil-A-style chicken nuggets at home with this easy copycat recipe! Marinated in pickle juice, breaded, and fried to perfection. Perfect for kids and adults alike!”
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup pickle juice
- ½ cup milk (or buttermilk)
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, mix pickle juice and milk. Add the chicken pieces and marinate for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 hours) in the refrigerator.
- Prepare the Breading: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, powdered sugar, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Coat the Chicken: Beat the egg and mix it with the marinated chicken. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring an even coating.
- Heat the Oil: In a deep skillet or fryer, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the Nuggets: Fry in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Serve: Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauces like Chick-fil-A sauce, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce.
Notes
- Air Fryer Method: Cook at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, shaking halfway.
- Baked Version: Bake at 400°F for 18-20 minutes, flipping once.
- Spicy Nuggets: Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the marinade.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free flour blend.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Chick-fil-A nuggets, crispy chicken nuggets, homemade nuggets, copycat recipe, fried chicken