5.0 from 15 votes
Chick-fil-A Nuggets Recipe
You can now enjoy Chick-fil-a Nuggets anytime you want with this simple copycat recipe! Serve them up with a side of homemade Chick-fil-a sauce and enjoy the classic taste of your favorite fast food restaurant's nuggets that are made a bit healthier.
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
33 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 528 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
For the Nuggets:
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breasts cut into bite-sized cubes
- ½ cup pickle juice
- ¼ cup milk regular or plant-based
- 2 large eggs
- 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.
Cup of Yum
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
- Air Fryer: Preheat a 6-quart air fryer to 380 degrees. Brush the grate with peanut oil and place the nuggets in a single layer. Brush the exposed surfaces of the nuggets with more peanut oil and cook for 8 minutes. Flip the chicken over halfway through cooking and brush the other side of the nuggets with more peanut oil.
- Marinate: You can chill chicken in the marinade for up to 24 hours.
- Cooking: Be sure none of the chicken pieces are touching when you cook them.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days.
Nutrition Information
Calories
528kcal
(26%)
Carbohydrates
28g
(9%)
Protein
29g
(58%)
Fat
33g
(51%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
15g
Monounsaturated Fat
10g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
138mg
(46%)
Sodium
1172mg
(49%)
Potassium
509mg
(15%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
11g
(22%)
Vitamin A
453IU
(9%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
49mg
(5%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 528
% 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.