Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets
Juicy chicken breast nuggets coated in lightly seasoned flour and fried until golden brown. Serve with homemade dipping sauce for an easy restaurant-inspired dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken and Marinade
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons dill pickle juice optional
Seasoned breading
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper optional
For Frying
- 3 –4 cups refined peanut oil adjust to pot size
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts into approximately 1 to 1½-inch bite-sized pieces.
- Whisk the milk, egg, and optional pickle juice in a bowl. Add chicken, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- Combine flour, cornstarch, powdered sugar, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and optional white pepper in a shallow bowl.
- Remove chicken from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Press each piece into the flour mixture and shake off excess. Rest on a wire rack for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Heat approximately 1½ inches of peanut oil in a heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F.
- Fry nuggets in small batches for approximately 3 to 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked to 165°F internally.
- Transfer to a wire rack, allow the oil to return to temperature between batches, and serve warm with dipping sauce.
Notes
Recipe Notes
For the crispiest coating, maintain the oil temperature, don't overcrowd the pot, and drain on a wire rack. Cooked nuggets can be refrigerated for 3 to 4 days or frozen for up to 2 to 3 months for best quality.
Nutrition is an estimate. Actual values depend on nugget size, breading retained, and oil absorbed during frying.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving
Calories 340 kcal
Total Fat
16 g
Saturated Fat
3 g
Cholesterol
95 mg
Sodium
480 mg
Total Carbohydrates
20 g
Dietary Fiber
1 g
Total Sugars
3 g
Protein
29 g