Grilled Chicken Nuggets (Chick Fil A Copycat)

Name: Grilled Chicken Nuggets (Chick Fil A Copycat)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken breasts; 1-2 tablespoons olive oil; 1/4 cup dill pickle juice; 3 tablespoons milk; 2-3 tsp brown sugar; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; ½ - 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

User Reviews

5.0

9 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Additional Time
30 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings
4 servings
Calories
152 kcal
Course
Main Course, Snacks
Cuisine
American

Grilled Chicken Nuggets (Chick Fil A Copycat)

Shannon Lee

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Save time and money by making homemade Chick-Fil-A Grilled Chicken Nuggets! Today's recipe is a copycat of these delicious fast-food grilled chicken nuggets which you can make with just a handful of ingredients.

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Ingredients

Servings

1 pound chicken breasts boneless, skinless, cut into bitesize pieces
1-2 tablespoons olive oil to rub on the grill
1/4 cup dill pickle juice
3 tablespoons milk I used whole milk but other % may be used
2-3 tsp brown sugar I used light brown sugar (powdered sugar may also be used or use a sugar substitute)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
½ - 1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika Or try chili powder

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Instructions

In a mixing bowl or in a gallon ziplock baggie, add together pickle juice (¼ cup), milk (3 TBL), brown sugar (2-3 tsp opt), salt (½ tsp), black pepper (½-1 tsp), garlic powder (1 tsp), and smoked paprika (½ - 1 tsp) until well combined.
Add the chicken to the marinade tossing to make sure they are thoroughly coated. Let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes or more (you can leave it refrigerated oernight).
Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Make sure it's nice and hot.
Remove the chicken from the pickle brine marinade and discard and place on paper towels to drain.
Grease the grill grates with olive oil lightly to prevent sticking. Place the coated chicken pieces on the preheated grill. Grill for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are cooked through to 165° F and have a nice grill marks.
Once the chicken nuggets are cooked to perfection, remove them from the grill and let them rest for a couple of minutes before enjoying with your favorite sauce. Serve warm.

Notes

Tips:
Blackstone
Alternative cooking methods:Air Fryer Chick-Fil-A Grilled NuggetsProceed with marinating the chicken pieces, patting them dry, and then preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190° C). Spray the air fryer basket with spray oil (not cooking spray it will gum up your air fryer basket). Add the chicken in a single layer and spray the top with oil. Cook for 8-10 minutes, tossing halfway through. *Note that all air fryers heat differently, adjust the recipe accordingly.
Pan Fried Grilled Chick-Fil-A NuggetsUsing a grill pan over medium-high heat or in a cast iron skillet with a little oil, saute or grill chicken nuggets for 7-8 minutes, turning or stirring occasionally.
cast iron skillet
Can I bake these chicken nuggets instead of grilling them?If you prefer to bake the chicken nuggets, preheat your oven to 400°F (205° C) and arrange the marinated nuggets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 12-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until cooked through and golden brown.
parchment paper
Storage:
Refrigeration: After grilling, allow the chicken nuggets to cool completely before storing them. Transfer the nuggets to an airtight container or sealable plastic bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.Freezing cooked nuggets: Arrange the cooled nuggets in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
Can I freeze raw chicken nuggets in brine? Yes! Freezing actually halts the marinade process, so as you thaw they will brine. Make sure you get all of the air out and freeze for up to 3 months, thaw overnight in fridge and proceed with recipe.
When cutting the chicken into nugget-sized pieces, try to keep them uniform in size. This ensures they cook evenly on the grill, preventing some pieces from being undercooked while others are overcooked.
If you don't have dill pickle juice on hand, you can substitute it with plain white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. However, the flavor may vary slightly from the original recipe.
Make sure your grill or pan is well preheated, this will ensure you get grill marks and don't steam your chicken.
If you're worried about the chicken pieces falling through the grill grates, consider using a grill basket or threading them onto skewers before grilling. This makes flipping them easier and prevents them from sticking to the grill. This is also a great recipe to make on your Blackstone flattop griddle!
Keep a close eye on the chicken nuggets while they're grilling to avoid overcooking. They cook relatively quickly, so it's best to check them frequently and remove them from the grill as soon as they're cooked through to keep them juicy and tender.
While these grilled chicken nuggets are delicious on their own, serving them with a dipping sauce enhances their flavor even more. Consider classic options like chick-fil-a sauce, barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or ranch dressing for dipping.
Keto Grilled Chicken Nuggets: Replace sugar with a brown sugar substitute (I like Lakanto) and replace milk with heavy cream or almond milk.

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Serving 1serving Calories 152kcal (8%) Carbohydrates 4g (1%) Protein 25g (50%) Fat 3g (5%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Trans Fat 0.01g Cholesterol 74mg (25%) Sodium 650mg (27%) Potassium 457mg (13%) Fiber 0.2g (1%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 177IU (4%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 24mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 152 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving	1serving
Calories	152kcal	8%
Carbohydrates	4g	1%
Protein	25g	50%
Fat	3g	5%
Saturated Fat	1g	5%
Polyunsaturated Fat	0.5g	3%
Monounsaturated Fat	1g	5%
Trans Fat	0.01g	1%
Cholesterol	74mg	25%
Sodium	650mg	27%
Potassium	457mg	10%
Fiber	0.2g	1%
Sugar	3g	6%
Vitamin A	177IU	4%
Vitamin C	1mg	1%
Calcium	24mg	2%
Iron	1mg	6%