The Best Homemade Chicken Nuggets (Chick Fil A Copycat Recipe!)

To make copycat Chick-fil-A nuggets at home, marinate bite-size chicken breast pieces in dill pickle juice for at least 30 minutes, dip them in milk and egg, dredge in a flour, powdered sugar and paprika coating, then pan-fry in peanut oil at 350°F for about 3–4 minutes per side. Serve them with a quick homemade Chick-fil-A sauce made from mayo, honey, BBQ sauce, mustard and lemon juice.

These homemade Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets are simple to make, kid-approved, and perfect for both lunchboxes and gatherings. Skip the drive through line at Chick-fil-A and make this copycat version with sauce included, at home instead!

As both a mom and teacher, I’m always on the lookout for quick, delicious meals that my kids will love, and these nuggets have become a family favorite. They’ve quickly become a regular feature in my meal prep routine, and I can’t recommend them enough!

Between grading papers, preparing lesson plans, and juggling after-school activities, I don’t always have time to whip up gourmet meals. That’s why I adore this recipe–it’s easy, satisfies my kids’ cravings, and packs a protein punch.

Whether it’s an after-school snack to refuel my little ones or a clever way to fill their lunchboxes, these nuggets are the answer!

why your whole family will love these homemade chick fil a nuggets

• Delicious Flavor
• Protein Packed
• Classic Comfort
• Quick and Easy
• Crowd-pleaser
• Kid-friendly

perfect for lunchboxes

I love making these nuggets ahead of time. On weekends, I’ll make a big batch and store them in a container in the refrigerator. My son in middle school, can easily heat them up and pack them into his thermos for school, paired with a side of homemade chick-fil-a sauce and some fresh fruit.

It makes lunchtime so much more exciting for him and gives me peace of mind knowing he’s eating something nutritious.

game day favorite

We also whip these nuggets out during football season. They always steal the show at our game day gatherings! A big platter of golden, crispy chicken nuggets, served alongside air-fried waffle fries–everyone’s favorites!

Plus, there’s no need to brave the long lines at chick-fil-a when you can enjoy all the great flavor right at home.

fun fact: inspiration from Costco!

A little backstory: I initially set out to create this recipe because of the frozen chicken nuggets they sell at Costco. They taste remarkably similar to chick-fil-a nuggets, and I found myself buying them constantly.

But I wanted to replicate that experience in my kitchen, so I got creative. What I discovered are nuggets that taste just as good, if not better, and with the added benefit of being homemade.

freezer-friendly homemade chicken nuggets

Another fantastic feature of this recipe is that you can easily freeze the nuggets! If you make a big batch, just store some in a freezer-safe bag. They can be easily reheated throughout the week for quick lunches or snacks when things get hectic.

ingredients

To make this easy and delicious homemade chick-fil-a nuggets with sauce recipe you’ll need a few ingredients that you can get at almost any grocery store or even online!

Here’s what we are working with:

chick fil a nuggets

chick-fil-a sauce

how to make homemade chicken nuggets that taste just like chick-fil-a

You’ll find the exact amounts and printable steps in the recipe card below. Here’s what each step looks like, plus the little things that make it work.

instructions for the chicken nuggets

1. Marinate the chicken. Combine the chicken pieces and dill pickle juice in a bowl or sealable bag, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight for extra flavor. The pickle juice gives these nuggets their tangy, copycat flavor.

2. Prepare the coating. Whisk the milk and egg in one bowl. In another bowl, mix the flour, powdered sugar, paprika, garlic powder and onion powder, and season with salt and pepper. The touch of powdered sugar adds a subtle sweetness to the coating.

3. Coat the chicken. Remove the chicken from the pickle juice and rinse it. Dip each piece in the milk mixture, then dredge it in the flour mixture until it’s well coated.

4. Heat the oil. In a large skillet, heat about 1 inch of peanut oil over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C). A thermometer helps: oil that’s too cool makes greasy nuggets, and oil that’s too hot browns the coating before the chicken is cooked.

5. Fry the nuggets. Carefully add the chicken to the hot oil, frying in batches so the pan isn’t crowded. Cook for about 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (165°F inside). Drain on paper towels.

instructions for the chick-fil-a sauce

6. Mix the sauce. In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, honey, mustard, BBQ sauce and lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper.

7. Serve. Serve the nuggets hot with the Chick-fil-A sauce on the side for dipping.

can I meal prep homemade chicken nuggets?

Yes! On busy Sundays, I often set aside a little time to make a big batch of these yummy chicken nuggets. I then portion them out for lunches or quick dinners to have throughout the work week.

I store the chicken nuggets in individual meal prep containers, and my son can easily reheat them in his thermos for school. Pairing these with a side of pasta and fresh fruit or a small salad makes for a well-rounded meal that keeps him energized throughout the day.

how to store and reheat homemade chicken nuggets

Refrigerate cooled nuggets within 2 hours in an airtight container and enjoy within 3–4 days, or freeze them in a freezer-safe bag for later. Reheat until hot all the way through (165°F). Store the sauce separately in the fridge.

We hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. It’s definitely one of those recipes worth saving. There’s nothing better than having a home cooked meal on the table your whole family loves, but one that saves you time behind the scenes. 

Please leave us a star review and comment if you make this family loved recipe. 

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. I answer every single question as quickly as I can.

Happy cooking! And thanks for being part of our tribe, The Tasteful Tribe!

ENJOY!

copycat Chick-fil-A nuggets FAQs

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recipe video

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