Chick-Fil-A Chicken Nuggets – Craving those Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets but don’t feel like leaving the comfort of your home? Well, I’ve got you covered with this copycat recipe that brings the fast food favorite right, to your kitchen! Imagine sinking your teeth into tender chicken breast marinated in a blend of pickle juice coated in a perfectly seasoned batter and fried to crispy perfection. These nuggets are truly a treat that will rival any drive-thru experience. So let’s make dinnertime exciting with this twist on Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets, made with love and without the need for queues.
The first time I mixed together that tangy marinade and filled my kitchen with the aroma of sizzling chicken I knew I had stumbled upon something extraordinary. The whole family gathered around lured by the mouthwatering scent. When I served these nuggets, their smiles and contented sighs made all my efforts worthwhile. My husband, who has always been a fan of food couldn’t get enough of them. Even my little one couldn’t help but joyfully ask for more – it was the review I could have hoped for.
What makes this Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets truly stand out?
This recipe, for Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets, is a game changer when it comes to satisfying those cravings for fast food goodness. What makes it stand out is the balance, between convenience and personalization. It’s carefully prepared in your kitchen giving you control over the quality of ingredients from the freshness of the chicken to the choice of frying oil. Not only can you savor the flavor of America’s beloved nuggets but you also have the freedom to adjust the seasonings according to your family’s preferences. It offers a nourishing and comforting twist on a fast food favorite ensuring an enjoyable experience, with each bite.
What You Need To Make This Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets Recipe?
Chicken Breasts: Start with premium-quality, boneless, skinless chicken breasts. For an added layer of care, select hormone-free and responsibly farmed chicken, ensuring every nugget is not only delicious but also ethically sourced.
Milk & Pickle Juice Marinade: The secret to the signature tang and tenderness of these nuggets lies in their marinade. Use whole milk for its richness and high-quality dill pickle juice for the best zesty kick. This isn’t just a soak; it’s a flavor infusion that transforms simple chicken into a fast-food sensation.
Flour & Seasoning Blend: The flour coating is where the magic happens. Use unbleached, all-purpose flour to keep it natural and whisk in home-ground sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to elevate the taste. The powdered sugar is a sweet little secret that balances the salt and adds a subtle note that will have everyone guessing.
Paprika: This isn’t just any paprika. Opt for a smoked variety to infuse a hint of barbecue-esque smokiness into each nugget, invoking the essence of an open grill.
Peanut Oil: The choice of peanut oil is intentional, as it imparts a slightly nutty flavor that complements the chicken wonderfully while also standing up to the high heat required for that perfect golden crust. For those with allergies, an alternative like refined coconut oil can provide a similarly high smoke point with a hint of sweetness.
Steps To Make Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets:
Step 1: Start by preparing the chicken breasts. Remove any fat. Cut them into small bite-sized pieces that are perfect, for snacking.
Step 2: In a bowl crack an egg. Add a splash of milk along with some pickle juice. Whisk everything together until well combined. This mixture will serve as your marinade infusing the chicken with flavors. Place the chicken in this marinade ensure it is fully submerged, cover it up, and let it rest in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours. It’s essential to be patient during this step as it allows the flavors to meld.
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Step 3: While the chicken is marinating, take a pan. Fill it with about two inches of peanut oil. Set the heat to medium-high. Wait until the oil reaches a temperature of 375 degrees Fahrenheit— enough for frying without smoking.
Step 4: Now grab a zip lock bag. Combine flour, with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, a couple of pinches of salt, a dash of pepper, and just a hint of paprika. Close the bag tightly and give it a shake—imagine yourself playing maracas.
Step 5: It’s time to dress up your chicken in this coating. Remove the pieces from the marinade, give them a shake (don’t hold back), and then put them into a zip-lock bag filled with flour. Close it tightly. Shake it vigorously until each piece is evenly coated in the flour mixture.
Step 6: Carefully add around 8 nuggets at a time, to the oil. Make sure they have space as overcrowding is not recommended. Gently flip them after 2 to 3 minutes when they turn golden and crispy like an autumn morning.
Step 7: Once cooked let them rest on a paper towel to get rid of any oil. If you’re cooking in batches. Want to keep them warm, place them on a wire rack in a heated oven.
Step 8: Serve these nuggets with your preferred dipping sauce and witness how quickly they vanish before you can even say “Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets!”
Tip:
For the crispy chicken nuggets, it’s important to consider more, than just the oil temperature. Pay attention to the moisture well. After marinating take out your chicken pieces. Let them rest on a wire rack for a few minutes. This allows any excess marinade to drip off before you coat them in the flour mixture. This step is crucial because it prevents the chicken from being too wet which can lower the oil temperature and lead to nuggets. Additionally, this short pause helps create a texture, on the chicken’s surface making it perfect for the flour mix to adhere to. This ensures that you get a crispy coating that perfectly replicates that Chick-fil-A crunch. Always remember, when it comes to frying moisture is not your friend if you want crispiness!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make these nuggets with a different type of oil?
Sure! Although peanut oil adds a flavor and holds heat well you can definitely utilize canola or vegetable oil as options if you have them available.
How can I ensure my nuggets are cooked through without burning them?
To guarantee that your nuggets are thoroughly cooked without burning it’s crucial to maintain the oil temperature at 375 degrees Fahrenheit and avoid overcrowding the pan. You can use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the nuggets reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers to keep them crispy?
For reheating leftovers while keeping them crispy I advise using an oven set, at 350 degrees. Simply place the nuggets on a wire rack. Heat them for around 10 minutes or until they are heated through and regain their crispiness. It’s best to avoid using the microwave as it tends to make them soggy.
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Chick Fil-A Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 c. milk
- 1 c. dill pickle juice
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp. powdered sugar
- 2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. pepper
- 1/2 tsp. paprika
- Peanut oil for frying
Instructions
- Start by cutting the chicken into bite pieces.
- In a bowl combine the egg, pickle juice and milk. Place the chicken in this mixture. Refrigerate it for 1 to 2 hours.
- In a pan heat 2 inches of peanut oil, to a temperature of 375°F.
- Using a zip-lock bag mix together the flour, powdered sugar, salt, pepper and paprika.
- Remove the chicken from the milk mixture. Let any liquid drip off. Transfer the chicken to the flour bag. Shake it gently to evenly coat all pieces.
- Fry the chicken in batches (8 pieces at a time) for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown.
- Place the cooked nuggets, on paper towels to drain any oil.
- If needed you can keep them warm in an oven until all pieces are fried.
- Serve your chicken nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
