Want to learn how to make chick fil a nuggets? We've got you covered because today we've got these copycat chick fil a chicken nuggets! They're the perfect blend of succulent, lightly spiced homemade chicken nuggets encased in a golden, crunchy coating, sure to bring a smile to both kids and adults alike.
There's nothing quite like biting into a golden, perfectly crispy nugget that reveals a tender and flavorful chicken center.
But, why step out when you can recreate this fast-food classic in your own kitchen?
Enter our Copy Cat Chicfila Chicken Nuggets – your solution to quieting those Chicfila cravings and impressing your family and friends with your culinary prowess!
Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing party snack, these nuggets will deliver a chic fast-food experience right to your home kitchen.
This recipe takes inspiration from the beloved fast food giant, Chick fil a, known for its juicy and delicious chicken nuggets.
These chicken nuggets are a hit at parties, game nights, and even casual dinners, ensuring you've got a versatile recipe that fits just about any occasion.
Moreover, these nuggets might even be your secret weapon to get picky eaters to enjoy their meal.
And you'll want to whip up some of our copycat chick fil a sauce. It's the perfect dipping sauce for these chicken nuggets and french fries.
What You'll Love About This Recipe
- Deliciously crispy and tender: These nuggets provide the perfect balance of a crispy exterior and juicy interior, creating a sensory delight with every bite.
- Easy to make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is ideal for beginners and seasoned home chefs alike.
- Versatile: Perfect as a main dish, appetizer, or snack - these nuggets are sure to fit any meal or occasion.
- Fun and engaging: An excellent way to engage kids in the kitchen, teaching them about marinating, dredging, and frying.
Ingredients
Chicken Tenders: The star ingredient. We use tenders for their lean and tender quality, giving us perfectly juicy nuggets. We cut them into bit sized pieces. You could also easily use chicken breasts instead, sliced up into tender sizes.
Buttermilk: This is the key to achieving tender and juicy nuggets. The acids in the buttermilk help break down the protein in the chicken, ensuring melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
Dill Pickle Juice: Pickle juice adds an unexpected tang that elevates the flavor profile, making your nuggets lip-smackingly delicious.
All-Purpose Flour, Powdered Sugar and Spices: The building blocks of our golden, crispy coating that packs a flavorful punch.
Oil: For frying your chicken nuggets for extra crispy nuggets, choose an oil with a high heat point like canola oil or peanut oil.
Equipment
For this chicken nuggets recipe you'll need a Frying Pan, Deep Dryer or Dutch Oven for frying the nuggets to perfection.
If you don't have these, a heavy-bottomed pot can do the trick.
Tongs will be your best friend to safely turn and retrieve the nuggets from the hot oil.
Finally, have some Paper Towels on hand to blot excess oil and ensure your nuggets are perfectly crispy, not greasy.
Instructions
Start by cutting your chicken tenders into 2-3 pieces per tender, depending on your desired nugget size.
Add your spices to the chicken, mixing until the chicken is evenly coated in this flavorful blend.
Pour the buttermilk and pickle juice over your seasoned chicken, stirring to ensure each piece is bathed in this tangy, tenderizing mixture.
Let this marinate for at least 45-60 minutes, or even overnight for maximum flavor infusion.
As your chicken marinates, mix together your dredge ingredients. This mixture is your ticket to the crispy, golden exterior we all know and love. It's basically chicken nugget batter.
Heat your oil over medium-high heat.
Once hot, dredge your chicken pieces in the flour mixture, ensuring they are fully coated.
Gently place a few nuggets into the oil, frying until they reach that gorgeous golden brown.
Be sure not to overcrowd your pan or deep fryer, as this could lower the oil's temperature and result in less crispy nuggets.
Once cooked, carefully remove your nuggets using tongs or a slotted spoon.
Place them on paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
Repeat the frying process with the remaining nuggets. Don't the look just like homemade chick fil a's chicken nuggets!
Serve then up hot, and savor each bite!
This chick fil a nugget recipe is sure to put a smile on your families face!
Make sure to serve with your favorite chicken nugget dipping sauces.
Top Tips
Perfecting the oil temperature: Before you start frying your nuggets, it's essential to get your oil to the right temperature, ideally around 350-375°F (175-190°C). If you don't have a thermometer, you can test the oil with a small piece of bread. If it turns golden brown in 60 seconds, your oil is ready.
Marinating time: Don't underestimate the power of marination. While the minimum is 45-60 minutes, letting the chicken marinate overnight will allow the buttermilk and pickle juice to penetrate the meat, resulting in even juicier nuggets.
Avoid overcrowding the pan: Fry your nuggets in batches to prevent overcrowding the pan, which can drop the oil temperature and lead to less crispy nuggets.
Double Dredge for Extra Crispiness: If you adore an extra crispy coating, double dredge your chicken pieces. Dredge once, let them sit for a couple of minutes, and then dredge again before frying.
Draining well: After frying, place your nuggets on a cooling rack over a baking sheet or paper towels to allow excess oil to drain. This helps keep the nuggets crispy and less greasy.
Substitutions
If you can't find buttermilk, you can make your own by adding a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to a cup of milk and letting it sit for about 10 minutes.
Variations
- Spicy Kick: Add a touch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to your marinade for a spicy version.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour to make this dish suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
Recipe
Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets
A homemade twist on a fast-food classic, these Copy Cat Chicfila Chicken Nuggets are a blend of tender chicken in a crispy, golden coating.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 pounds chicken tenders
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Dredge:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt or all-purpose seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black or white pepper
Instructions
- Cut the chicken tenders into bite sized pieces, about 2-3 per strip.
- Add the tablespoon of flour onion powder, garlic powder, salt and black pepper to the chicken.
- Mix well.
- Pour the buttermilk and pickle juice on top.
- Mix until chicken is fully incorporated.
- Let marinate for at least 45 min-60min and up to overnight.
- Heat the oil over medium high heat.
- Whisk all of the dredge ingredients together
- Drop in a few pieces of the nuggets at a time into the flour, coat well, then into the oil.
- Cook until golden brown
- Serve and Enjoy
Storage Instructions
Refrigerator: Once cooled completely, store your cooked nuggets in an airtight container or zip-top bag. They will last for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. When reheating, warm them in the oven at 350°F until heated through. This method will help retain their crispness better than microwaving.
Freezer: If you want to freeze your nuggets, let them cool completely first. Then, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about an hour). This process, known as flash freezing, prevents the nuggets from sticking together. Once frozen, transfer the nuggets to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, bake frozen nuggets in a preheated oven at 375°F for 15-20 minutes or until heated through and crispy.
For uncooked marinated nuggets: If you've prepared more than you need, uncooked marinated nuggets can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. For longer storage, freeze them as described above and when you're ready to cook, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before dredging and frying.
We hope you enjoy these chick fil a chicken nuggets as much as we did!
When it comes to frying, particularly for a dish like our homemade chicken nuggets, you want an oil with a high smoke point and a neutral flavor. Some of the best options include canola oil, vegetable oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, and peanut oil.
Yes, you can bake the nuggets if you want to avoid frying. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), place the dredged nuggets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
Absolutely. While chicken tenders are usually more tender and cook quickly, you can use chicken breast or thigh meat. Just ensure to cut them into bite-size nugget pieces, and adjust the cooking time as necessary, as they may take a little longer to cook.
Buttermilk acts as a tenderizer due to its mild acidity. It breaks down the protein structure in the chicken, making it softer and juicier. Pickle juice, on the other hand, imparts a unique tangy flavor, a signature trait of Chick fil a's nuggets.
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