Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Nuggets

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Homemade Chick-Fil-A chicken nuggets are juicy, tangy, and delightfully crispy. Made with real chicken breasts seasoned then marinated in pickle juice for extra flavor before breading. They will become your new favorite homemade treat.

Chick-Fil-A chicken nuggets are my absolute favorite fast food indulgence, so you can imagine how happy I was to finally perfect this easy copycat recipe!

I promise they taste just like the real thing. The juicy chicken tenders are marinated to perfection with the secret ingredient, then coated in a light, seasoned breading, and fried until golden brown.

Whether you’re enjoying them with our copycat Chick-Fil-A dipping sauce or on their own, these nuggets are sure to hit the spot every time.

Why I love this recipe

I absolutely adore these nuggets. Whenever I’m craving a quick and tasty meal, I know I can count on these nuggets to deliver. Making them at home means I get to enjoy that delicious Chick-Fil-A experience without leaving my kitchen.

Ingredients

• chicken tenders
• buttermilk
• dill pickle juice (the secret ingredient!)
• all-purpose flour
• spices – onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, season salt
• powdered sugar – don’t skip this! It’s another secret to the flavor of the breading.
• oil for frying – I suggest peanut oil, but you can also use vegetable oil or canola oil

Step by step

1. Cut the chicken tenders into 2-3 pieces depending on your preference for size.
2. Add the tablespoon of flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the chicken and mix well.
3. Pour the buttermilk and pickle juice over the chicken pieces. Mix until the chicken is fully incorporated.

1. Marinate them for at least 45 minutes to 60 minutes and up to overnight.
2. Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a deep skillet or Dutch oven.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk all of the breading ingredients together until well combined.

1. Drop a few pieces of the nuggets at a time into the flour mixture, coat well, then place them into the hot oil. Repeat with the remaining nuggets.
2. Cook until golden brown. Serve and enjoy!

Serving suggestions

Serve with fries or sweet potato fries and a dipping sauce. Homemade Chick-Fil-A sauce, homemade Zax sauce, sweet potato fry sauce, barbecue sauce, or remoulade are some of our favorite sauces for dipping.

You can also use these tenders warm or cold to add a little protein to a salad or serve in a tasty wrap.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until heated through. You can also heat them in an air fryer to keep them crispy or the microwave if you don’t mind a softer texture.

To freeze, let the cooked nuggets cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container.

To reheat, bake the frozen nuggets in a 375°F oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they’re heated through and crispy again. You can also use an air fryer for 8-10 minutes at 350°F for a quicker option, ensuring they maintain that delicious crispy texture.

If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!

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