If you’re looking for the best copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets recipe, look no further! Marinated and fried to a crunchy, crispy golden brown and served with their famous dipping sauce, your whole family is going to love these delicious nuggets.
After numerous test runs, we finally came up with a copycat recipe for Chick-fil-A nuggets that might even be a little better than the original recipe.
The secret ingredient that makes my chicken nugget recipe even better than the real thing, is buttermilk. You can use regular milk to make these tasty chicken nuggets, but buttermilk definitely takes them to another level of deliciousness!
This is definitely my favorite chicken nuggets recipe, it’s perfect for a busy weeknight dinner, game day or just to treat yourself to these tasty chicken nuggets.
If you love fried chicken, make sure to try my crispy fried chicken tenders or spicy fried chicken tenders.
Ingredients to make Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets
Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make my homemade Chick-fil-A nuggets recipe. In Chef Speak, this is called the Mise en Place, which translates into Everything in its Place.
Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed the cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.
What type of frying oil should I use?
The original recipe calls for peanut oil, but I used vegetable oil for frying copycat nuggets. You can use canola oil or your choice of cooking oil to make this recipe. Just make sure the oil has a high smoke point.
How to make Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets
- Cut the boneless chicken breast into chunks.
- Place the chunks, dill pickle juice, and buttermilk into a large zip-lock freezer bag and seal the bag.
- Massage the marinade into the chicken pieces, coating all the pieces with the marinade.
*Refrigerate the marinating chicken for 60-90 minutes. - Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade, letting the excess drain off. Then discard the marinade.
Add 1 ½ – 2 inches of cooking oil to a large skillet (or Dutch oven), over high heat. Heat until the oil has reached 350 -365 degrees F.
- Add the all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, baking powder, paprika, table salt, and black pepper to a medium bowl.
- Whisk to combine.
- Coat the chicken pieces with the flour mixture, making sure to coat the pieces completely.
- Then carefully add them to the hot oil and fry the chicken nuggets for 3 to 5 minutes, until the chicken is a deep golden brown, and the internal temperature has reached at least 165 degrees F.
(use a slotted spoon to remove them from the hot oil).
*If you make a big batch, it may be necessary to cook the chicken nuggets in small batches so the temperature of the oil stays at 350 degrees. Overloading the pan will drop the oil temperature, making the nuggets greasy.
Carefully remove the Chick-fil-A nuggets from the hot oil and place them on a wire rack (or a paper towel) to drain.
Serve these crispy crunchy Chick-fil-A nuggets with my copycat Chick-fil-A sauce recipe, honey mustard, bbq sauce, or your favorite dipping sauces and enjoy!
Store any leftover chicken refrigerated in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
Recipe FAQ’s
Using dill pickle juice along with milk (or buttermilk) is what makes their chicken sandwiches and nuggets tender and moist. The pickle brine imparts flavor while tenderizing the meat.
Yes, you can. To maintain their crispiness, it’s best to reheat them in an oven or toaster oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F.; place the nuggets in a single layer on a baking sheet, and bake for 10-15 minutes or until they’ve reached an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F.
Yes, you can. Follow the recipe up to the cooking instructions, then use the next two steps.
Close the air fryer basket and cook at 360 degrees F. for 12 minutes, flipping halfway. Spray any flour spots when flipping.
After 12 minutes is up, increase the heat to 400 degrees F. and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
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Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets (Copycat)
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 1 inch chunks
- ½ cup dill pickle juice
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon confectioners sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- vegetable oil for frying (2 inches deep)
Instructions
- Place the chicken chunks, pickle juice and buttermilk into a large zip lock bag and seal the bag.
- Massage the marinade into the chicken pieces, coating all the pieces with the marinade.
- Refrigerate the marinating chicken for 60-90 minutes.
- Add 1 ½ – 2 inches of cooking oil to a large skillet (or Dutch oven), over high heat. Heat until the oil has reached 350 -365 degrees F.
- Add the all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, baking powder, paprika, table salt, and black pepper to a large bowl. Then Whisk to combine.
- Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade, letting the excess drain off. Discard the marinade.
- Coat the chicken pieces with the flour mixture, making sure to completely coat the pieces. Then carefully add them to the hot oil.
- If necessary, cook the chicken nuggets in small batches so the temperature of the oil stays at 350 degrees.Overloading the pan will drop the oil temperature, making the nuggets greasy.
- Fry the chicken nuggets for 3 to 5 minutes, until the chicken is a deep golden brown, and the internal temperature has reached at least 165 degrees F.
- Carefully remove the Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets from the hot oil and place them on a wire rack (or paper towels) to drain.If cooking in batches, tent them with foil to keep them hot.
- Serve with Chick-fil-A dipping sauce or sauce of your choice.
Notes
After 12 minutes is up, increase the heat to 400 degrees F. and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Hayley Dhanecha says
I prepared this nuggets for my friend’s children,let alone children even adults loved it. Thanks for some useful tips to make them crispy and delicious!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
I’ve never actually been to a Chick-fil-A as fast food isn’t something we eat. But your homemade chicken nuggets were absolutely amazing and I LOVE how easy they were to make!
Leslie says
So glad to have found this recipe! These chicken nuggets are the perfect texture! We loved everything about them!
Giangi Townsend says
I love that I do not have to go out to get my favorite Chick-Fil A nuggets. Your recipe is spot on and the best in my book. Crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. The Best!
Elaine says
I tried this Chick-fil-A nuggets yesterday and they were spot on! Crispy coating, tender inside—just like the ones you get at the restaurant. Looking forward to serving these again soon!
Bernice says
I couldn’t resist these nuggies! They had such a great crunch and the chicken stays so moist and tender. An excellent copycat recipe!
veenaazmanov says
The combination of Spices and the addition of the Dill pickle juice and Butter Milk combo was super delicious and yummy. Best chicken nuggets ever!
Marta says
I love making copycat CFA chicken sandwiches at home but have never thought to make their nuggets. These nuggets were amazing and even better than CFA, my family will loved them.
Gloria says
I am in Canada, and we just got a Chick-Fil A in the area. And your copycat recipes is even better that what I’ve tried at Chick-Fil A. Great recipe!
Steph says
Can these be cooked in an air fryer?
Chef Dennis Littley says
Yes they can. Follow the recipe up to the cooking instructions, then use the next two steps.
Close the air fryer basket and cook on 360 degrees F. for 12 minutes, flipping halfway. Spray any flour spots when flipping.
After 12 minutes is up, increase the heat to 400 degrees F. and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
John Klebaur says
What is the egg listed in the ingredients used for?
Chef Dennis Littley says
sorry, the egg was a mistake. I had it in one of the recipes I tested and missed it when rewrote the new recipe.
John Klebaur says
Thank you.