Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets
Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Marinade
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast, cut into 1-inch bite-sized chunks
- 2 cups pickle juice, enough to submerge chicken
For the Wet Batter
- 1 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon water
For the Dry Breading
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
For Frying
- 4 cups peanut oil, or enough for deep frying
Instructions
- 1
Cut the chicken breast into approximately 1-inch bite-sized chunks. Place the chicken chunks in a bowl.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Pour the pickle juice over the chicken, ensuring all chicken is submerged or well-coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature. For enhanced flavor, you can marinate for a few hours in the refrigerator.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
While the chicken marinates, prepare the wet batter. In a separate medium bowl, combine the milk, 2 eggs, and 1 tablespoon of water. Whisk thoroughly until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
In another separate medium bowl, prepare the dry breading. Combine the all-purpose flour, salt, paprika, black pepper, and granulated sugar. Mix these dry ingredients together until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Once the chicken has finished marinating, drain it thoroughly from the pickle juice. Do not rinse.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Transfer the drained chicken chunks into the wet batter, ensuring they are well-coated.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
Working in batches, transfer the chicken from the wet batter to the dry breading mixture. Give them a gentle toss by hand to ensure each piece is fully coated with the flour mixture. Set aside on a plate or wire rack.
⏱️ 5 min
- 8
Heat the peanut oil in a deep pot or fryer over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F. Use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 350
- 9
Carefully add the breaded chicken nuggets to the hot peanut oil in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Fry them for 5 to 7 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
⏱️ 7 min•🌡️ 350
- 10
Remove the cooked nuggets from the oil using a slotted spoon or spider strainer. Place them on a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack to drain excess oil for a few minutes before serving.
⏱️ 3 min
- 11
Serve the Chick-fil-A nuggets immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets
For the Chicken and Marinade
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast, cut into 1-inch bite-sized chunks
- 2 cups pickle juice, enough to submerge chicken
For the Wet Batter
- 1 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon water
For the Dry Breading
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
For Frying
- 4 cups peanut oil, or enough for deep frying
Instructions
- 1
Cut the chicken breast into approximately 1-inch bite-sized chunks. Place the chicken chunks in a bowl.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Pour the pickle juice over the chicken, ensuring all chicken is submerged or well-coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature. For enhanced flavor, you can marinate for a few hours in the refrigerator.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
While the chicken marinates, prepare the wet batter. In a separate medium bowl, combine the milk, 2 eggs, and 1 tablespoon of water. Whisk thoroughly until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
In another separate medium bowl, prepare the dry breading. Combine the all-purpose flour, salt, paprika, black pepper, and granulated sugar. Mix these dry ingredients together until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Once the chicken has finished marinating, drain it thoroughly from the pickle juice. Do not rinse.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Transfer the drained chicken chunks into the wet batter, ensuring they are well-coated.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Working in batches, transfer the chicken from the wet batter to the dry breading mixture. Give them a gentle toss by hand to ensure each piece is fully coated with the flour mixture. Set aside on a plate or wire rack.
⏱️ 5 min - 8
Heat the peanut oil in a deep pot or fryer over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F. Use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 350 - 9
Carefully add the breaded chicken nuggets to the hot peanut oil in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Fry them for 5 to 7 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
⏱️ 7 min•🌡️ 350 - 10
Remove the cooked nuggets from the oil using a slotted spoon or spider strainer. Place them on a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack to drain excess oil for a few minutes before serving.
⏱️ 3 min - 11
Serve the Chick-fil-A nuggets immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
⏱️ 1 min