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A cozy kitchen scene featuring a plate of freshly fried copycat Chick-fil-A nuggets, golden brown and crispy, with a small bowl of homemade Chick-fil-A sauce on a rustic wooden surface.
Jana Rae

Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets

Make crispy, juicy Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets at home with this easy recipe! These nuggets are tender, perfectly seasoned, and served with homemade Chick-fil-A sauce.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Marinate Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Nuggets:
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch pieces)
  • ½ cup dill pickle juice
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup peanut oil for frying
For the Copycat Chick-fil-A Sauce:
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon BBQ sauce
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Method
 

  1. In a bowl, combine chicken pieces and pickle juice. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Drain and pat dry.
  2. In one bowl, whisk milk and egg. In another, mix flour, powdered sugar, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and baking powder.
  3. Dip each piece of chicken into the milk mixture, then dredge in the flour mixture, making sure to coat evenly.
  4. Heat peanut oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry the nuggets in batches for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, mustard, BBQ sauce, and lemon juice until smooth.
  6. Serve the crispy, golden nuggets warm with homemade Chick-fil-A sauce!

Notes

  • Don’t skip the pickle juice marinade – It makes the chicken extra tender.
  • Powdered sugar in the breading adds a subtle sweetness, just like Chick-fil-A’s.
  • For extra crispy nuggets, double-coat the chicken in the flour mixture.
  • Serve with waffle fries to complete the meal!