Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets

Ingredients

• 1.3 lb boneless chicken breast (cut into bite-sized cubes)
• 0.25 cup pickle juice
• 0.5 cup milk (buttermilk is an excellent substitute for extra tang)
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp salt (for marinade; adjust slightly if pickle juice is very salty)
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp milk powder (unsweetened; if unavailable, use 1/2 tsp powdered sugar)
• 0.5 tsp salt (for seasoned flour)
• 1.5 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1.5 tsp garlic powder
• Peanut oil (for frying; vegetable or canola oil are good alternatives)

Steps

1. 1

   In a bowl, whisk together pickle juice, milk, egg, and 1 teaspoon of salt until well combined.

2. 2

   Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for 1–2 hours (or overnight for best flavor).

3. 3

   In a shallow dish, combine flour, milk powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, smoked paprika, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix well to ensure even distribution of seasonings.

4. 4

   Remove chicken from the marinade, letting excess liquid drip off.

5. 5

   Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour, pressing firmly to coat. Shake off any extra flour and place on a wire rack.

6. 6

   For extra crunch, repeat the dredging step for a double coating.

7. 7

   Let the coated chicken rest for 10 minutes; this helps the coating adhere better during frying.

8. 8

   Heat oil in a deep pot to medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).

9. 9

   Fry chicken in small batches until golden brown and fully cooked, about 3–4 minutes per batch.

10. 10

    Transfer the cooked nuggets to a wire rack to drain and maintain crispness.

11. 11

    Enjoy hot with your favorite dipping sauce, such as honey mustard, BBQ, or avocado crema.

Notes

Freezing: Arrange uncooked, coated nuggets on a tray and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag. Fry straight from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes cooking time. Reheating: Use an oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) until hot and crisp; avoid microwaving as it softens the coating. Air Fryer Option: Spray with oil and cook at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• appetizer
• chicken
• fried
• copycat
• kid-friendly
• freezer-friendly