These homemade Chick Fil A Nuggets are every bit as addictive as the ones from the drive thru, and also quite easy to whip up at home. A quick soak in pickle juice marinade tenderizes the chicken, while a secret touch in the coating gives that extra crispy, rich bite.
Table of Content
Love making restaurant favorites at home? Try my other copycat recipes like the crispy KFC Zinger Burger, spicy Wagamama Firecracker Chicken, intensely flavorful Vapiano Pasta with Pesto Rosso, and the crowd-favorite PF Chang Dynamite Shrimp.
Why You'll Love This
- Authentic Flavor: The pickle juice marinade and seasoned coating capture the classic Chick Fil A chicken nuggets taste.
- Freezer-Friendly: Make a big batch, freeze, and fry or air fry straight from frozen whenever the craving hits.
- Crispy & Juicy: Double-coating gives a crunchy exterior while keeping the chicken tender inside.
- Family-Friendly: Perfect for kids and adults alike, with easy options for dipping sauces or sides.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here's what you'll need to make this Chic Fil A Nuggets recipe. See recipe card for quantites.
- Chicken: I have used boneless chicken breast, but thighs work just as well if you prefer a juicier bite. Cut into small, even cubes for quick cooking.
- Pickle Juice: Key for that Chick-fil-A flavor. Any pickle brine works. Don't skip this step.
- Milk: Buttermilk is an excellent substitute if you want extra tang.
- Egg
- Salt: Adjust slightly if your pickle juice is very salty.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base for coating.
- Milk Powder: Adds depth and a subtle sweetness. If you don't have it, use ½ teaspoon powdered sugar for that iconic flavor.
- Smoked Paprika: Regular paprika or red chili powder works too.
- Black Pepper: Freshly ground is best.
- Garlic Powder
- Peanut Oil: Traditional for Chick-fil-A flavor. I often use vegetable or canola oil, which work just as well.
Step By Step With Photos
- Marinate chicken in pickle juice, milk, egg, and salt for 1-2 hours or overnight.
- Mix flour, milk powder, salt, paprika, pepper, and garlic powder in a shallow bowl.
- Coat chicken pieces in the flour mix, double-coat if you like, then
- Let rest 10 minutes on a wire rack.
- Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry chicken in batches until golden and cooked through. Place chicken nuggets on a wire rack to drain,
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Check out my Crispy Popcorn Chicken recipe for another easy, kid-friendly option.
Helpful Tips
- Don't skip the marinade. Even an hour in pickle juice makes the chicken tender and flavorful.
- Drain the nuggets on a wire rack, not paper towels to keep the coating crisp.
- Batch fry the nuggets and avoid overcrowding so they stay crunchy.
- Double coat the chicken if you like an extra crispy bite. If you do double coat, increase the amount of dredging.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair these crispy chick fil a nuggets with waffle or masala fries, potato wedges, or parmesan crusted potatoes to make it fancier.
- Serve with dipping sauces like honey mustard, chipotle aioli, BBQ, or my refreshing avocado crema.
- Add these crispy chicken nuggets to sandwiches, flatbread pizza or salads for a quick meal option.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
- Make-ahead: Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance, or coat the chicken and refrigerate for a few hours before frying.
- Freezing: Freeze uncooked, coated nuggets on a tray, then transfer to a bag or container. Fry directly from frozen.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Use an oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) until hot and crispy. Avoid microwaving as it softens the coating.
FAQs
Many Chick Fil A copycat recipes use powdered sugar for sweetness and color. I use milk powder instead, which gives a subtle sweetness, helps create a crispier crust, but doesn't make the chicken nuggets overly sweet.
Chick Fil A uses peanut oil because it has a high smoke point and gives the nuggets a light, clean flavor. If you have allergies or don't have peanut oil on hand, vegetable or canola oil work just as well.
Yes. To air fry, spray the coated chicken lightly with oil and cook at 375°F (190°C) for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway. To bake, arrange on a greased baking sheet, spray with oil, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-18 minutes until golden and cooked through.
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📖 Recipe
Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets
Ingredients
- 1.3 lbs (600 g) boneless chicken breast cut into bite-sized cubes
Marinade
- ¼ cup pickle juice
- ½ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
Dredging
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon milk powder unsweetened
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1½ teaspoons garlic powder
Frying
- Peanut oil or vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together pickle juice, milk, egg, and salt. Add the chicken pieces, cover, and refrigerate for 1-2 hours (or overnight for best flavor).
- In a shallow dish, combine flour, milk powder, salt, smoked paprika, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix well.
- Remove chicken from the marinade, letting excess liquid drip off. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour, pressing firmly to coat. Shake off any extra flour and place on a wire rack. For extra crunch, repeat the dredging step for a double coating. Let coated chicken rest for 10 minutes.
- Heat oil in a deep pot to medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C). Fry chicken in small batches until golden brown and fully cooked, 3-4 minutes per batch. Transfer to a wire rack to drain.
- Enjoy hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Video
Notes
- Freezing: Arrange uncooked, coated nuggets on a tray and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag or container. Fry straight from frozen, just add 1-2 extra minutes cooking time.
- Reheating: Leftover cooked nuggets reheat best in an oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) until hot and crisp. Avoid microwaving, as it softens the coating.
- Oil choice: Peanut oil gives the closest flavor to Chick-fil-A, but vegetable or canola oil are good alternatives.
- Milk powder substitute: If you don't have milk powder, simply skip it or use ½ teaspoon powdered sugar for a hint of sweetness.
Nutrition
If you enjoyed these Chick Fil A Nuggets, here are a few more small bites that are just as delicious and perfect for sharing:
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