It’s tough to match a master at their own game, but these copycat Chick-fil-A nuggets do a pretty good job of it. They’re surprisingly close to the flavor and texture of genuine Chick-fil-A nuggets. They’re just the thing when you don’t feel like going out or getting delivery.
These chicken nuggets are surprisingly quick and easy to make at home, though you may need to sharpen up your frying skills. As long as you remember to cook your nuggets in small batches so that your oil stays at the right temperature, you’ll get a restaurant-quality result.
Ingredients for Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets
- Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts make the best nuggets.
- Dill pickle juice: The flavorful and acidic dill pickle juice acts as a marinade, flavoring and moistening the chicken breasts.
- Cornstarch: Unlike flour-based batter, which tends to be heavier, a cornstarch batter like the one on these nuggets is light and crisp.
- Soy sauce: Soy sauce adds savory umami and depth of flavor to the chicken batter.
- Egg white: Egg white supplies most of the liquid in the batter. Its proteins also help bind the batter together.
- Garlic powder: The garlic powder, salt and pepper season the nuggets to a nicely balanced flavor.
- Paprika: Paprika adds a hint of sweet-pepper flavor to the batter, and also helps give it some color.
- Dijon mustard: Dijon mustard brings a spicy tang to the batter and helps thicken it. It’s also a key ingredient in the accompanying dipping sauce.
- Barbecue sauce: Barbecue sauce brings color and a sweet, smoky flavor to the dipping sauce.
- Honey: Honey in the sauce sweetens it and helps it cling to the nuggets.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the copycat chicken nuggets
Place the chicken pieces and pickle juice in a bowl, and toss until the chicken is well coated with juice. Set this aside at room temperature for 30 minutes. While it marinates, whisk the cornstarch, soy, egg white, seasonings and Dijon mustard to make a thick batter. Add this batter to the chicken mixture, and toss again to thoroughly coat the pieces.
Step 2: Mix the dipping sauce
Combine the remaining Dijon mustard with barbecue sauce and honey, mixing them well. Set the dip aside.
Step 3: Fry the nuggets
In a deep skillet or electric skillet, heat 1 inch of oil to 375°F. Fry the chicken pieces a few at a time until they’re browned and their juices run clear, roughly one to two minutes on each side. Drain the nuggets on paper towels as they come out of the oil. Serve the nuggets hot, with their dipping sauce.
Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets Variations
- Go breaded: The batter in this recipe works well and gives a crisp and tasty end result. If you prefer your nuggets with the added texture of breading, that’s an easy upgrade. Your simplest option is to roll or toss your nuggets in regular or panko-style breadcrumbs after they’re battered and before they’re fried. Cracker crumbs work, too, and they’re a key ingredient in our copycat Chick-fil-A chicken strips.
- Change up the dipping sauces: Chick-fil-A offers a pretty wide range of dipping sauces, and most of them can be replicated at home. You don’t need to use copycats, necessarily; you may prefer someone else’s ranch or barbecue sauce, for example. Offering a range of sauces is one of the simplest ways to create a “something for everyone” experience.
- Grill the nuggets: The regular Chick-fil-A nuggets are hugely popular, but many fans consider the grilled nuggets to be even better (and healthier). To make those, marinate the chicken pieces in a mixture of pickle juice and either milk or buttermilk. After the 30-minute soak, drain and discard the marinade and then season the nuggets with salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika as you would in the main recipe. Grill them outdoors on your gas or charcoal grill, or indoors on a ridged grill pan. If you have a panini press or contact grill , those do really well at replicating those restaurant-style grill marks.
How to Store Chick-fil-A Copycat Nuggets
Any leftover nuggets should be packed into an airtight food storage container and put away in your refrigerator as soon as the meal is over. A piece of paper towel or brown paper on the bottom of the container will help absorb any excess oil.
How long will copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets keep?
Leftover nuggets will keep for up to four days in the fridge if you pack and refrigerate them promptly after the meal. You may need to make a double batch if you want leftovers, but that’s a good problem to have. Reheating them without sacrificing texture or drying them out can be a challenge. Follow our guide to reheating fried chicken for the best results.
Can I freeze leftover nuggets?
Yes, you can freeze these either cooked or uncooked. Either way, freezing them on a parchment-lined sheet pan first is your best bet. Once frozen, you can pack the nuggets into heavy-duty freezer bags or a freezer-safe storage container with a tight-fitting lid. Cooked nuggets should be defrosted overnight in the fridge, and then reheated just as you would any other piece of fried chicken. Cook raw nuggets directly from frozen; they’ll just take an extra minute or two to reach a food-safe temperature.
Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets Tips
What kind of oil should I use to fry my copycat Chick-fil-A nuggets?
You have several oil options. You need an oil with a high smoke point (so it can handle the heat) and a neutral flavor. The best oils for frying include canola, sunflower, safflower, corn oil or soybean oil. Those are all inexpensive and easy to find. Peanut oil is another good one, though it’s an allergy risk and adds a noticeable flavor. Other options including avocado oil and grapeseed oil also work well, but they’re not as budget-friendly.
How can I tell when my copycat nuggets are done?
The simplest way to know if they are cooked is to cut one open. It should be golden on the outside, and the juices inside should run clear. If your tester is done, cook the rest of them for the same time. An instant-read thermometer is a better option, especially if your nuggets aren’t all the same size.
Can I cook my copycat nuggets in my oven or air fryer?
This recipe isn’t really your best bet for oven or air fryer cooking, because of the sticky batter. We have other recipes that work well in those appliances, though. This versatile chicken nuggets recipe lends itself to multiple cooking methods, and we have dozens of others you can experiment with.
What should I serve with my copycat Chick-fil-A nuggets?
You can serve them with any of the usual fried chicken side dishes. Corn on the cob, mashed potatoes with gravy or kid-friendly fries are all easy choices. For a more virtuous option, serve them with your favorite salad. If you want to double down on recreating the Chick-fil-A experience at home, we’ve got you covered. We’ve curated a list of other recipes that are either direct Chick-fil-a copycats or at least very similar to one of the chain’s menu items. Waffle fries, anyone?
