The Best Homemade Chicken Nuggets (Chick Fil A Copycat Recipe!)
These homemade 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!
Ingredients
for the chick-fil-a nuggets
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup dill pickle juice
- 1 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1-2 tbsp powdered sugar, more or less depending on your sweet preference
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
- peanut oil (or other frying oil)
for the chick-fil-a sauce
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp bbq sauce
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
for the chick-fil-a nuggets
- Marinate Chicken: Combine chicken pieces and dill pickle juice in a bowl or sealable plastic bag, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight for extra flavor).
- Prepare Coating: In a separate bowl, whisk together milk and egg. In another bowl, mix flour, powdered sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder; season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Coat Chicken: Remove chicken from pickle juice, and rinse. Dip each piece into the milk mixture, then dredge in the flour mixture, ensuring each piece is well-coated.
- Heat Oil: In a large skillet, heat about 1-inch of peanut oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Fry Nuggets: Carefully place chicken pieces in the hot oil, frying in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and drain on paper towels.
for the chick-fil-a sauce
- Mix Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, honey, mustard, bbq sauce, and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Serve the chicken nuggets hot with the chick-fil-a sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy!