Chick Fil A Nuggets

5 from 1 vote

You won't believe it! These homemade chick fil a nuggets taste just like the restaurant version!

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword chick fil a chicken nuggets, chick fil a nugget recipe, chick fil a nuggets, chick fil a nuggets recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Resting Time 30

Total Time 1

Servings people

Calories 381kcal

Author Blair Lonergan

2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup milk
½ cup dill pickle juice
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
Peanut oil or vegetable oil, for frying
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup plain breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
For serving: ketchup, honey mustard, Chick-Fil-A sauce, Polynesian sauce

In a large Ziploc bag or in a large bowl, combine the chicken, milk, and pickle juice. Toss to combine, and then refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to 24 hours.
Add the eggs to the chicken mixture. Stir to combine.
Place the flour, breadcrumbs, powdered sugar, salt, garlic powder, paprika, baking powder, onion powder, and black pepper in a dish.
Pour oil to a depth of at least 1 ½ inches in a Dutch oven or deep fryer. Heat the oil over high heat until it reaches 360°F.
Remove the chicken from the egg mixture, shaking off any excess. Dredge in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Let the chicken pieces dry on wire racks for 5-10 minutes.
Working in batches, fry the chicken until it’s a deep golden brown, about 3 – 3 ½ minutes total (flipping halfway through if it’s not in a deep fryer). Adjust the heat to maintain an oil temperature of 350°F - 360°F. Transfer the chicken to a baking sheet and sprinkle with a little more salt.

Give the breaded chicken time to rest (dry) for a few minutes while the oil heats. This will help the breading adhere to the meat when it cooks.
Use a deep-fry thermometer to make sure that the oil reaches and stays at a consistent temperature of 350°F - 360°F. If you don't have a thermometer, no problem! Instead, when the oil is hot (but not smoking), add a drop of water to the pan -- if it sizzles, the oil is hot enough for the chicken. You want to maintain a fairly steady temperature as the chicken cooks, so don't overcrowd the pan with too many pieces at once (which will bring down the temperature).
To ensure crispy chicken nuggets, keep the temperature of your oil at a steady 350°F - 360°F. If the oil is too cool, the chicken will absorb the oil and have a soggy texture when done.
Never cover your warm fried chicken nuggets with foil. This traps steam and moisture, which will make the nuggets soggy. Instead, place them directly onto a baking sheet (not a wire rack) and leave them uncovered. Keep them warm in a 200°F oven (uncovered) while you finish frying the remaining batches.