Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets

Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets are small pieces of chicken marinated until tender, coated in seasoned flour, and fried until golden and crisp. They have a lightly tangy flavor from pickle juice, a savory coating, and a juicy center that makes them taste close to the fast-food favorite.

This recipe is great for lunch, dinner, game day, or a fun weekend meal at home. Serve the nuggets with fries, mac and cheese, coleslaw, or a simple dipping sauce for an easy family-friendly meal.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Easy ingredients: Most of the ingredients are simple pantry staples.

• Juicy chicken: The pickle juice and milk marinade helps keep the chicken tender.

• Kid-friendly: These nuggets are crispy, bite-size, and easy to serve.

• Great for leftovers: You can reheat them in the oven or air fryer and still get a nice texture.

Equipment Needed

• Cutting board

• Sharp knife

• Medium mixing bowls

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Whisk or fork

• Large skillet or Dutch oven

• Tongs

• Paper towel-lined plate

• Meat thermometer

Ingredients List

For the Chicken

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

• 1/2 cup dill pickle juice

• 1/2 cup whole milk

• 1 large egg

For the Coating

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

For Frying

• 2 to 3 cups peanut oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil

Optional Dipping Sauce

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard

• 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Timing & Servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes, including 30 minutes marinating time
Servings: 4

How to Make Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets Step by Step

Step 1: Cut the chicken
Cut the chicken breasts into small bite-size pieces. Try to keep the pieces close in size so they cook evenly.

Step 2: Marinate the chicken
In a medium bowl, mix the pickle juice and milk. Add the chicken pieces and stir until coated. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Prepare the coating
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and baking powder.

Step 4: Add the egg
Drain most of the marinade from the chicken, leaving the chicken slightly wet. Add the egg to the chicken and stir until the pieces are coated.

Step 5: Coat the chicken
Add the chicken pieces to the flour mixture in small batches. Toss well and lightly press the flour onto each piece so the coating sticks.

Step 6: Heat the oil
Pour oil into a large skillet or Dutch oven, about 1 to 2 inches deep. Heat the oil to 350°F.

Step 7: Fry the nuggets
Carefully add the chicken pieces in small batches. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes, turning as needed, until golden brown and cooked through.

Step 8: Drain the nuggets
Remove the nuggets with tongs and place them on a paper towel-lined plate. The chicken should reach 165°F in the center.

Step 9: Make the dipping sauce
In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, honey, mustard, barbecue sauce, and lemon juice. Serve with the warm nuggets.

Tips for the Best Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets

1. Do not marinate the chicken too long. Pickle juice adds great flavor, but more than 2 hours can make the chicken too salty.
2. Keep the oil at the right temperature. If the oil is too cool, the nuggets can turn greasy. If it is too hot, the coating may brown before the chicken is fully cooked.
3. Fry in small batches. Adding too much chicken at once lowers the oil temperature and makes the coating less crisp.
4. Use a meat thermometer if possible. Chicken is safe to eat when it reaches 165°F inside.
5. Let the nuggets rest for a few minutes after frying. This helps the coating set before serving.

Variations to Try

• Spicy nuggets: Add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the flour mixture.

• Extra crispy nuggets: Coat the chicken in flour, dip again in egg, then coat once more in flour.

• Chicken tenders: Cut the chicken into strips instead of nugget pieces.

• Air fryer version: Spray coated nuggets with oil and air fry at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway.

• Buttermilk swap: Use buttermilk instead of milk for a richer, tangier marinade.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these nuggets with waffle fries, regular fries, mac and cheese, coleslaw, or a simple green salad.

For a fuller meal, add roasted vegetables, fruit salad, or baked potatoes. You can also use the nuggets in wraps with lettuce, pickles, cheese, and sauce for an easy lunch.

Make-Ahead, Storage, and Reheating

You can cut and marinate the chicken up to 2 hours ahead. Keep it covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook.

Store leftover nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To freeze, let the cooked nuggets cool completely. Place them on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until firm. Then move them to a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 2 months.

For reheating, use an oven or air fryer at 375°F until hot and crisp. The microwave works, but the coating will be softer.

Nutritional Facts

Calories: 390
Fat: 18g
Carbs: 28g
Protein: 31g
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 780mg

Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets

Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with the signature savory flavor you love. This easy homemade version uses simple ingredients to recreate the famous fast-food favorite, making it perfect for family dinners, snacks, or game day.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Marinating Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 4 people

Calories 390 kcal

Equipment

• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Medium mixing bowls
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Whisk or fork
• Large skillet or Dutch oven
• Tongs
• Meat Thermometer

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces
• 1/2 cup dill pickle juice
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 large egg

For the Coating

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

For Frying

• 2 to 3 cups peanut oil canola oil, or vegetable oil

Optional Dipping Sauce

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

 

Step 1: Cut the chicken

• Cut the chicken breasts into small bite-size pieces. Try to keep the pieces close in size so they cook evenly.

Step 2: Marinate the chicken

• In a medium bowl, mix the pickle juice and milk. Add the chicken pieces and stir until coated. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Prepare the coating

• In another bowl, whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and baking powder.

Step 4: Add the egg

• Drain most of the marinade from the chicken, leaving the chicken slightly wet. Add the egg to the chicken and stir until the pieces are coated.

Step 5: Coat the chicken

• Add the chicken pieces to the flour mixture in small batches. Toss well and lightly press the flour onto each piece so the coating sticks.

Step 6: Heat the oil

• Pour oil into a large skillet or Dutch oven, about 1 to 2 inches deep. Heat the oil to 350°F.

Step 7: Fry the nuggets

• Carefully add the chicken pieces in small batches. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes, turning as needed, until golden brown and cooked through.

Step 8: Drain the nuggets

• Remove the nuggets with tongs and place them on a paper towel-lined plate. The chicken should reach 165°F in the center.

Step 9: Make the dipping sauce

• In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, honey, mustard, barbecue sauce, and lemon juice. Serve with the warm nuggets.

Keyword Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets

FAQs

Can I make these nuggets without pickle juice?
Yes. You can use buttermilk or milk with a little lemon juice instead. The flavor will be milder.

What oil is best for frying these nuggets?
Peanut oil gives a classic flavor, but canola oil or vegetable oil also works well.

Can I bake these instead of frying?
Yes. Bake at 425°F for 15 to 18 minutes, flipping halfway. Spray the nuggets lightly with oil before baking.

How do I keep the nuggets crispy?
Do not overcrowd the pan, keep the oil hot, and reheat leftovers in the oven or air fryer.

Conclusion

These Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets are simple, crispy, and easy to make at home. The pickle juice marinade gives the chicken great flavor, while the seasoned coating makes every bite golden and satisfying. Try them with your favorite sauce for a fun homemade meal.