4.7 from 42 votes
Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets Recipe
Chick-fil-A has a huge following...and now you can make their nuggets at home. This copycat Chick-fil-A nuggets recipe is perfectly seasoned.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Brine Time
1 hr
Servings: 4
Calories: 588 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
For the brine:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into 1” cubes
- 1 cup dill pickle juice
For the flour coating:
- 1 cup all purpose flour 130 grams
- 1/4 cup cornstarch 33 grams
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar 12 grams
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 2 grams
- 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper 3 grams
- 1 teaspoon salt 6 grams
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- dash ancho chili powder
- dash white pepper
For the milk mixture:
- 1 large egg whisked
- ½ cup 2% milk
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
For frying:
- peanut oil for frying
Instructions
- Cut chicken into 1 inch cubes. Place into a bowl with pickle juice and brine for one hour.
- Prepare a dredging station. Combine ingredients for the flour mixture in a medium mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, and garlic paste.
- Drain the pickle juice from the chicken (discard the juice).
- Coat each of the nuggets in the flour mixture, then dredge in the milk mixture. Allow excess milk to drip off and coat in the flour mixture one more time. Place the floured chicken pieces on a plate or cutting board and let them rest while the oil heats in the skillet.
- Pour peanut oil into a large skillet until the oil is about 1/2" deep. Turn to medium-high heat and warm the oil until it gets to 350ºF. You want to keep the oil as close to 350ºF as possible so check it often and turn the heat up/down as needed.
- Place the floured chicken in the oil and cook for about 2-4 minutes (depending on how big the chicken pieces are). Then turn the chicken pieces and cook again for an additional 2-4 minutes, or until the nuggets test done (internal temperature of 165ºF).
- Remove the nuggets to a wire rack to cool (have paper towels under the wire rack to catch any oil drips). The wire rack will help the nuggets stay crispy.
- Serve with chick fil a sauce.
- Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave or in the air fryer.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.
- The calories shown are based on the recipe serving 4, with 1 serving being 1/4 of the nuggets. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**
Nutrition Information
Calories
588kcal
(29%)
Carbohydrates
42g
(14%)
Protein
30g
(60%)
Fat
33g
(51%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
10g
Monounsaturated Fat
14g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
122mg
(41%)
Sodium
1364mg
(57%)
Potassium
550mg
(16%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
435IU
(9%)
Vitamin C
3mg
(3%)
Calcium
64mg
(6%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 588
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 588kcal | 29% |
| Carbohydrates | 42g | 14% |
| Protein | 30g | 60% |
| Fat | 33g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 10g | 59% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 122mg | 41% |
| Sodium | 1364mg | 57% |
| Potassium | 550mg | 12% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 435IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 64mg | 6% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.