Description
Enjoy this homemade Chick-Fil-A Chicken Nuggets copycat recipe, featuring tender chicken breast pieces marinated in buttermilk and pickle juice, coated in a seasoned flour mixture, and deep-fried to golden perfection. Perfectly crispy and flavorful, these nuggets make a delicious family-friendly main course.
Ingredients
Chicken and Marinade
- 2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup pickle juice
Coating
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- ½ tablespoon corn starch
- 2 ½ teaspoons table salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
For Frying
- Vegetable or peanut oil (enough for deep frying, about 4 cups)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cube 2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, trimming away any excess skin to ensure even cooking.
- Make the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup buttermilk, 1 large egg, and ¼ cup pickle juice until well combined.
- Marinate chicken: Place the cubed chicken into the buttermilk mixture, cover, and refrigerate for about an hour to tenderize and infuse flavor. For best results, marinate overnight if time permits.
- Preheat oil: Heat vegetable or peanut oil in a deep fryer or a heavy, deep pot to 375°F (190°C), ensuring enough oil to fully submerge the nuggets for even frying.
- Prepare coating mixture: In a gallon-size Ziploc bag, combine 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons powdered sugar, ½ tablespoon corn starch, 2 ½ teaspoons table salt, and 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper. Seal and shake to mix thoroughly.
- Coat the chicken: Add marinated chicken pieces in small batches into the flour mixture bag, seal, and shake well until each piece is fully coated with the seasoned flour mixture.
- Fry the chicken nuggets: Carefully place coated chicken pieces in small batches into the hot oil. Fry for about 4-6 minutes or until nuggets are golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Drain and serve: Remove nuggets from oil with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Repeat frying with remaining chicken. Serve warm with waffle fries and honey mustard sauce for an authentic Chick-fil-A experience.
Notes
- Marinating overnight enhances the tenderness and flavor of the nuggets.
- Use a kitchen thermometer to monitor oil temperature and chicken internal temperature for best results.
- Do not overcrowd the fryer; fry in small batches for crispiness and even cooking.
- Vegetable or peanut oil is preferred for frying due to their high smoke points.
- Leftover nuggets can be reheated in an oven or air fryer to maintain crispness.