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Copycat Chick-Fil-A Nuggets and Sauce [+Video]
Craving the signature taste of Chick fil A nuggets? Skip the drive-thru and the price tag and try this easy homemade recipe with a delicious homemade sauce for the perfect copycat dish.
When our girls were little, Cade would take them on daddy daughter date nights periodically and the girls always picked Chick-fil-A as the place the wanted to eat dinner. I used to love Dairy Queen as a kiddo so I get it. Plus it’s a daddy date so I’m not invited.
When I was little I guess I used to get out of bed a lot and wake up super early. Which is funny because I HATE, DESPISE, DETEST, and VEHEMENTLY PROTEST waking up. I looooove to sleep and take naps. Love it. Anyway, my parents made me a chart when I was like 3 I think. Every day I didn’t get out of bed I got a whale stamp (remember how stamps weren’t all cool yet? It was just an old black ink pad and whale) on the date and after a week I got to go to Dairy Queen. What a treat!
So, I started researching Chick fil-A chicken copycat recipes and experimenting with recipes. Every recipe I saw had pickle juice so I was intrigued. This is a perfect copycat recipe! And my favorite part, it’s a fraction of the cost! Eating out has gotten so dang expensive!
How to Make Copycat Chick Fil A Chicken Nuggets Video
Ingredients for Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets
There are few surprise ingredients in this list, but you’re just going to have to trust me! From pickle juice to powdered sugar, there’s a little of everything in these recipes, but each ingredients gets us the flavors we are after. Here is everything you will need:
Chick Fil A Nuggets
- Chicken Breasts: cut into bite-sized pieces
- Dill Pickle Juice
- Water
Breading
- Flour
- Powdered Sugar
- Paprika
- Chili Powder
- Black Pepper
- Salt
- Baking Powder
- Peanut Oil
Dredging Liquid
- Egg
- Milk
Chick-Fil-A Sauce
- Honey
- Yellow Mustard
- Dijon Mustard
- Hickory BBQ Sauce
- Lemon Juice
- Mayonnaise
The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card down below. Keep scrolling down for all the details.
How to Make Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets
For this copycat Chick Fil A nuggets recipe, we will start by brining the chicken for a few hours to infuse the chicken with flavor and help tenderize it. Then we bread the chicken chunks and deep fry them. It’s so easy! Here are more details about each step:
Brine the Chicken
- Brine: Place the chicken pieces in a bowl or airtight container and pour the pickle juice and water over the chicken for 3-4 hours or overnight in the fridge.
Make the Chicken
- Mix: Add all the ingredients for the breading mixture to a large bowl and whisk together.
- Whisk: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and milk.
- Prep: Add the oil to a large saucepan and heat to about 350 degrees.
Dip the Chicken
- Drain: Grab the brining chicken from the fridge and drain all the pickle juice.
- Dredge: Dip each chicken chunk into the egg mixture, and then dredge in the flour mixture. Repeat this step twice on each piece of chicken.
- Deep Fry: Place about 8 nuggets at a time into fryer and cook about 4-6 minutes until golden brown. You’ll have to cook the nuggets in batches so that you don’t overcrowd the pan.
- Drain: Remove to a plate lined with a paper towel to drain.
- Serve: While they are still warm, serve with the copycat Chick-fil-A sauce (see next section).
- NOTE: I have one kid that won’t eat these nuggets with anything but Chick-fil-A sauce, but I have another kid that is loyal to ranch. So bring out all the dipping sauces and let everyone pick their favorite. Other delicious options are honey mustard sauce, BBQ sauce or just ketchup.
The complete instructions can be found in the recipe card down below.
How to Make Copycat Chick Fil A Sauce
Making the dipping sauce is easy! Whisk all the ingredients together in a small bowl and keep in the refrigerator until you’re ready to eat.
If you don’t want to make your sauce from scratch, you can buy Chick-fil-A sauce at the grocery store now.
What to Eat with Chick Fil A Nuggets
A trip to Chick-fil-A isn’t complete without those signature waffle fries, right?! They honestly don’t do much for me, but hot salty fries are one of my love languages, so a side of crispy french fries is a great side dish option!
Homemade mac and cheese is classic side dish with chicken nuggets. If you want go with a little lighter side option, make a fresh salad or make some roasted veggies on the side.
Why Use Peanut Oil For Frying?
Peanut oil has a high smoke point and neutral taste which makes it perfect for frying foods.
Peanut oil is low in saturated fat and high in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, making it a healthier choice for frying.
If you don’t have peanut oil, vegetable oil or canola oil are both good substitutes.
Is Chicken Breast Healthier Than Thighs?
Breasts and thighs actually do not differ that much in nutrient content.
Both chicken thighs and breasts are good sources of lean protein.
Chicken breast contains less fat and fewer calories than dark meat, but the differences are small.
Can I Cook These in the Air Fryer?
Yes, these work great in the air fryer! Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees F. Coat the basket of your air fryer with cooking oil. Follow the directions in the recipe card for coating the chicken. Spray the coated chicken chunks with cooking spray on all sides.
Air fry a batch of chicken for 5 minutes. Shake the basket and spray any spots on the chicken that look dry and flour-y. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Repeat these steps with the rest of the chicken pieces. Be sure to not overcrowd your air fryer basket.
Storing Chicken Nuggets
Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep up to 4-5 days.
Chicken nuggets also freeze extremely well. Let them cool completely an then flash freeze them so that they don’t stick together as they freeze. Place all the nugs on a baking sheet and stick them in the freezer for an hour or so. Then place them in a ziploc bag. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Can You Reheat Chicken Nuggets?
You can reheat chicken nuggets.
The microwave may make chicken nuggets tough and soggy, so the best way to reheat is: place the chicken nuggets on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet, and pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
Ten minutes in the oven delivers great taste and crunchy texture.
Get the delicious taste of Chick fil A nuggets right in your own kitchen with this easy homemade recipe. Plus, learn how to make the famous Chick fil A sauce for the full experience! You’re going to love this copycat Chick fil A chicken nuggets recipe!
More Copycat Recipes:
- Waffle Love Liege Waffles
- Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
- Texas Roadhouse Loaded Sweet Potatoes
- PF Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- J.Dawg’s Special Sauce
- Disneyland’s Pomme Frites
Chick-Fil-A Nuggets & Sauce
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Description
Ingredients
Chick Fil A Nuggets
- 4 Chicken Breasts halved, chopped
- 1/2 Cup Dill Pickle Juice
- 1/4 Cup Water
Breading
- 1 Cup Flour
- 3 Tablespoons Powdered Sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 Dash Black Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Chili Powder
- 3/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
Dredging Liquid
- 1 Egg
- 1/2 Cup Milk
- 2-3 Cups Peanut Oil
Chick Fil A Sauce
- 1/4 Cup Honey
- 2 Tablespoons Yellow Mustard
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 2 Tablespoons Hickory BBQ Sauce
- 2 teaspoons Lemon Juice
- 1/2 Cup Mayonnaise
Instructions
Brine the Chicken
- Place chicken in the pickle juice and water for 3-4 hours or overnight in the fridge.4 Chicken Breasts, 1/2 Cup Dill Pickle Juice, 1/4 Cup Water
Make the Chicken
- In a large bowl mix the breading ingredients: flour, powdered sugar, paprika, black pepper, chili powder, salt, and baking powder.1 Cup Flour, 3 Tablespoons Powdered Sugar, 3/4 teaspoon Paprika, 1 Dash Black Pepper, 1/2 teaspoon Chili Powder, 3/4 teaspoon Salt, 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
- In another bowl, whisk together the egg and milk.1 Egg, 1/2 Cup Milk
- Add 2-3 cups of oil to a large saucepan and heat to about 350 degrees.2-3 Cups Peanut Oil
Dip the Chicken
- Gather your chicken and drain off the pickle juice.
- Dip the brined chicken into the egg mixture, and then coat in the flour breading mixture. Repeat this step, dipping that same chicken back into the egg mixture and then back into the flour again.
- Place about 8 nuggets at a time into fryer and cook about 4-6 minutes; also till golden brown. Remove to a paper towel to drain.
Chick Fil A Sauce
- Whisk together all ingredients and refrigerate until ready to eat.1/4 Cup Honey, 2 Tablespoons Yellow Mustard, 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard, 2 Tablespoons Hickory BBQ Sauce, 2 teaspoons Lemon Juice, 1/2 Cup Mayonnaise