Chick-fil-A Nuggets Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
5 mins
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Total Time
33 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
528 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Chick-fil-A Nuggets Recipe
Description
The Chick-fil-A Nuggets recipe starts by marinating chicken breast chunks in a mixture of pickle juice, milk, and eggs for at least 30 minutes to add moisture and a subtle tang. The coating combines flour, plain breadcrumbs, powdered sugar for a hint of sweetness, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to create a flavorful crust. Excess marinade is shaken off before dredging the chicken pieces in the coating to ensure crispiness.
The nuggets are pan-fried in peanut or avocado oil until the coating is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. This method yields a crunchy exterior balanced by a juicy, tender interior. For a healthier option, the nuggets can be air-fried with a light coating of oil applied to the nugget surfaces.
The included dipping sauce blends mayonnaise with barbecue sauce, honey, and mustard, adding a sweet and tangy element that pairs well with the seasoned chicken. Storing leftovers in airtight containers keeps them fresh for several days, and marinating chicken up to 24 hours enhances flavor absorption without over-salting.
Ingredients
For the Nuggets:
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breast cut into bite-sized cubes
- ½ cup pickle juice
- ¼ cup milk regular or plant-based
- 2 egg large
- ⅔ cup flour or a gluten-free 1-to-1 blend
- ½ cup breadcrumbs plain
- 1-2 tablespoons powdered sugar optional
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ cup peanut oil or avocado oil
For the Dipping Sauce:
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons barbecue sauce regular
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons mustard yellow or Dijon
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt to taste
Instructions
- Whisk together pickle juice, milk, and eggs in a large bowl. Add cut chicken and toss to completely coat. Marinate for 30 minutes or up to overnight. (The chicken will get even more pickle flavor the longer it marinates. It will also absorb more salt, so be sure to adjust how much you add to the breadcrumb coating.)
- In another large bowl, whisk together the flour, breadcrumbs, powdered sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika.
- Using tongs, add a few of the marinated chicken pieces to the breadcrumb coating. Be sure to let any excess marinade drain off of the chicken before adding it in. Toss until the pieces are well coated. Repeat this process with the remainder of the chicken. (You may end up with some breadcrumb coating left.)
- Add 3 tablespoons of peanut oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Once sizzling, shake off any excess coating from each nugget and place half of them in a single layer.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes, flipping once the chicken becomes crispy and lightly golden. Remove the cooked chicken and let drain on a paper towel lined plate. Add the additional tablespoon of oil and cook the remaining chicken nuggets.
Chick-fil-a Sauce:
- Whisk together all of the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Serve immediately with Chick-fil-a nuggets or refrigerate for an hour for the best flavor. Enjoy!
Notes
- Marinate chicken for 30 minutes to 24 hours to tenderize and intensify flavor.
- Use peanut or avocado oil for frying to achieve a crisp crust.
- For air fryer cooking, preheat to 380°F, brush nuggets with oil, and cook 8 minutes flipping halfway.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Ensure chicken pieces are spaced apart while cooking to maintain even crispness.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 528 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 528kcal | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 28g | 9% |
| Protein | 29g | 58% |
| Fat | 33g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 15g | 88% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 138mg | 46% |
| Sodium | 1172mg | 49% |
| Potassium | 509mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 11g | 22% |
| Vitamin A | 453IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 49mg | 5% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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