Chick Fil A Nuggets are a tasty homemade copycat recipe that make a great alternative to a drive-thru run. These nuggets use tender diced chicken breast, a tangy pickle-juice brine, and a crispy, well-seasoned coating. Finish them with your favorite dipping sauce—homemade Chick Fil A–style sauce works beautifully—and you’ll have a crowd-pleasing meal made in your own kitchen.
The Best CopyCat Chick Fil A Nuggets
These copycat Chick Fil A nuggets are one of the easier and most rewarding fast-food dupe recipes to make at home. They stay juicy inside while developing a crisp, golden exterior. The pickle-juice brine seasons and tenderizes the chicken, and a combination of flour, cornstarch and a touch of powdered sugar helps produce a satisfying crunch. Pair them with a simple honey-mustard and barbecue style dipping sauce for a familiar flavor profile.
Making nuggets at home gives you control over ingredients, oil choice, and batch size. It’s perfect for busy nights, family dinners, or when you want Chick Fil A–style food on a day the restaurants are closed. The steps are straightforward: brine the chicken, coat it, fry until golden, and serve right away for the best texture.
Tips for Success
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry in batches so the oil temperature stays steady and the coating crisps evenly.
- Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point. Peanut, canola, vegetable, or avocado oil are good choices. Avoid unrefined olive oil or coconut oil for deep frying since flavors and smoke points vary.
- Serve immediately. The nuggets are best hot and crisp. Offer a dipping sauce, fries, or a simple side salad to round out the meal.
Ingredients Needed
- Chicken Breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces.
- Pickle Juice: Provides salt and acidity to season and tenderize the chicken.
- Milk & Egg: Create a wet layer after brining so the dry coating adheres well.
- Flour & Cornstarch: A mix of both gives structure and extra crispness.
- Powdered Sugar: A small amount helps caramelize the coating and balances savory flavors.
- Spices: Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to season the coating.
- Peanut Oil: For frying; substitute with canola or vegetable oil if you avoid peanuts.
- Chick Fil A–Style Sauce: A blend of Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, and barbecue sauce makes a quick copycat dipping sauce.
How to Make Chick Fil A Nuggets
- Brine. Place the cubed chicken and pickle juice in a zip-top bag or covered container. Refrigerate for about 2 hours to season and tenderize.
- Wet coating. After brining, add the milk and egg to the bag or bowl and toss so the chicken is evenly coated.
- Dry coating. In a bowl combine flour, cornstarch, powdered sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Remove chicken from the wet mixture, letting excess drip off, and toss in the dry mixture to coat each piece well.
- Heat oil. Add 2–3 inches of oil to a large, deep skillet or pot and heat to about 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer so the temperature stays consistent.
- Fry in batches. Add coated chicken in batches so pieces have room to fry. Cook 3–5 minutes per batch, or until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate to drain.
- Make the sauce. Whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, and barbecue sauce until smooth. Adjust quantities to taste and set aside until serving.
- Serve immediately. Plate the nuggets while hot with the dipping sauce on the side.
What to Serve with Chick Filla Nuggets
- Homemade French Fries (crispy and fresh)
- Homemade Ranch Dip
- Honey Mustard Dressing
- Air Fryer Pickles
- Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- Baked Macaroni and Cheese
- Bourbon Barbecue Sauce
- Buttermilk Biscuits
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does this chicken nuggets recipe have powdered sugar?
A small amount of powdered sugar adds a hint of sweetness that balances the savory spices. It also helps give the coating a slightly caramelized, crisp texture when fried. Use only the amount called for—too much will make the coating noticeably sweet.
Do I have to marinate the chicken in pickle juice?
Marinating in pickle juice is recommended for authentic flavor and tenderness—its salt and acid season and slightly break down the meat. If you don’t have pickle juice, you can skip it; marinating in milk or a light buttermilk substitute will still help tenderize the chicken.
How should I store and reheat these chicken nuggets?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Reheat in a preheated oven or air fryer until warmed through to retain crispiness rather than microwaving, which can make them soggy.
Can I use something other than peanut oil?
Yes. Peanut oil is commonly used for frying because it has a high smoke point and neutral flavor, but canola or vegetable oil are fine substitutes. Avoid oils with low smoke points or strong flavors for best results.
More Chicken Recipes to Try
- Marry Me Chicken
- Baked Chicken Tenders
- Slow Cooker Orange Chicken
- Chicken Katsu
- Chicken Burrito Bowls
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Chick Fil A Nuggets
Ingredients
Chick Fil A Nuggets
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed into bite-size pieces
- 1/2 cup pickle juice
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- Peanut oil (or neutral frying oil) for frying
Chick Fil A Sauce
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
Chick Fil A Nuggets
- Add cubed chicken and pickle juice to a large zip-top bag or covered container. Refrigerate and marinate for 2 hours.
- After marinating, add milk and egg to the same container and toss to coat the chicken evenly.
- In a medium bowl combine flour, cornstarch, powdered sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Remove chicken from wet mixture, letting excess drip off, and toss to coat in the flour mixture.
- Fill a deep skillet or pot with a couple inches of oil and heat to 350°F (175°C). Carefully add chicken in batches so pieces do not touch and the oil temperature remains steady.
- Fry each batch 3–5 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Serve immediately with the Chick Fil A–style sauce for dipping.
Chick Fil A Sauce
- Whisk Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise and barbecue sauce together in a small bowl until smooth and lump-free. Adjust sweetness or tang to taste. Set aside until ready to serve.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
Calories: 572 kcal
Carbohydrates: 52 g • Protein: 29 g • Fat: 27 g
Sodium: 2215 mg • Sugar: 20 g
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