Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Nuggets are super flavorful and tasty chicken nuggets just like Chick-fil-A! A recipe the whole family loves!
CRISPY, TENDER AND HOMEMADE
I have a firm rule on here that I never say anything tastes exactly like a particular food from my favorite restaurants. But I do love to try to re-create some of my restaurant/fast food favorites at home. It's a fun pastime for me that started many years ago. After a lot of trial and error, I can usually get flavors very close to my favorite meals, but never exactly the same taste (hopefully better!)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Definitely try to use buttermilk here. It really tenderizes the chicken. If you have time, marinate the chicken in the buttermilk, egg and pickle juice mixture for as long as possible.
You'll want to use dill pickle juice with this. The bread and butter pickle juice is just a bit too sweet.
Want a recipe for this that doesn't require frying in oil? Try making my AIR FRYER COPYCAT CHICK-FIL-A NUGGETS recipe.
After you have fried the nuggets, allow them to cool. I prefer to flash freeze fried chicken nuggets so they don't stick together. Place nuggets on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer for about an hour. Then put them in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
The best way is to do so with an air fryer. Reheat them at 400F degrees for about 10 minutes, shaking the basket once during cooking. You can reheat them in the microwave for about 2 minutes but the breading won't be as crisp so it's not recommended.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- buttermilk
- pickle juice
- large egg
- all-purpose flour
- powdered sugar
- corn starch
- salt and pepper
- vegetable or peanut oil
HOW TO MAKE CHICK-FIL-A CHICKEN NUGGETS:
My chicken breasts were on the large side so I only used 2 this time. Cube chicken breasts into bite size pieces (trimming away any excess skin that might be hanging on.) In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg and pickle juice.
Place cubed chicken into the bowl. If you have time, cover it and let it hang out in the refrigerator for a few hours. This helps to make the chicken a bit more moist and tender.
When ready to cook, start preheating oil in your fryer or deep pot to 375F degrees. In a gallon size Ziploc bag, combine flour, sugar, corn starch, salt & pepper. Give it a good shake to combine ingredients.
Add in cubed chicken, small batches at a time, to the flour mixture. Seal and shake until chicken is coated.
In small batches, place chicken into fryer and cook until golden brown (and internal temperature is 165F degrees.) About 4-6 minutes.
Remove and drain on paper towels
Continue with above steps until all your chicken is cooked. Served here with my favorite homemade HONEY MUSTARD SAUCE.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES? GIVE THESE A TRY!
Chick-Fil-A Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup pickle juice
- 1 ¼ cups all purpose flour
- 3 tablespoon powdered sugar
- ½ tablespoon corn starch
- 2 ½ teaspoon table salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- vegetable or peanut oil
Instructions
- Cube chicken breasts into bite size pieces, trimming away any excess skin.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, pickle juice and egg.
- Place cubed chicken into milk/egg mixture. Cover it and let it hang out in the refrigerator for about an hour (overnight is even better if time allows.)
- When ready to cook, start preheating oil in your fryer or deep pot to 375F degrees.
- In a gallon size Ziploc bag, combine flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch, salt & pepper.
- Give it a good shake to combine ingredients.
- Add in cubed chicken, small batches at a time, to the flour mixture.
- Seal and shake until chicken is coated.
- In small batches, place chicken into fryer.
- Cook until golden brown. About 4-6 minutes. Internal temperature of chicken should be 165f degrees.
- Remove and drain on paper towels. Continue with above steps until all your chicken is cooked.
- Serve with waffle fries and HONEY MUSTARD SAUCE.
Video
Notes
- Definitely try to use buttermilk here. It really tenderizes the chicken. If you have time, marinate the chicken in the buttermilk, egg and pickle juice mixture for as long as possible. But you can use regular milk if that is all you have.
- You'll want to use dill pickle juice with this. The bread and butter pickle juice is just a bit too sweet.
Nutrition
Originally published: March 2012
Updated & republished: February 2021
Sierra
Awesome recipe!! Have made this multiple times now and love the marinade, leaving it overnight does help but an hour works perfectly fine! We found the best results with adding extra salt and pepper and a little 1-2 tsp of garlic powder to the dry mix gives it the best flavor for us, and double breading in the dry mixture (tossing once and covering, take it out and do another batch, and once the flour looks wet from sitting out, throw it back in to toss again)!! Truly one of my favorite recipes!!
Ryn
Would these bake pretty well instead of being cooked in oil?
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Ryn! Good question! Unfortunately you never get the same exact flavor and texture like you would when you fry. You could absolutely bake these though!
Jane Brown
Can you cook these in an air fryer?
Brandie @ The Country Cook
I'm sure you could but I haven't tested it out yet. If you give it a try, please let me know how it turns out!
Kirtida Lalloo
My daughter loved this. She said it was better than chick fil A. I substituted half cup panko bread crumbs for flour. I also added onion powder, garlic powder and paprika to flour mixture.
Marie L
Have made these twice and my family says they're better than the real thing! Thanks....its a keeper!
Angie
Wow!! These were amazing!!! My family gobbled them up, even my little kiddos! I did exactly what the recipe said and it was awesome!
Azeneth
Can you cook these in the air fryer?
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi! Yes you could. I haven't personally tested it out though so you'll have to guess on the time, etc.
Kell
I did, I don't think the taste would be the same as cooking in oil but they were pretty good - the honey mustard sauce helped.
JASON HOLUBEC
sorry missed the rating.
5 star
JASON HOLUBEC
This rocks. I was a little skeptical. But.. family ate it up.
We add addition heat, but base is great.
Thanks so much.
Charlie
Thank you for this recipe! The nuggets are very tender and tasty, and the ease of putting the chicken in a plastic bag to shake coat makes this an easy prep unlike so many recipes. Leftover chicken heats well in the oven for a second delicious meal. The chicken has so much flavor with the crust and the marinated meat, using a sauce on them is not necessary.
Ruthie
We've never even tried a Chick Fil A anything, but these were very good. I decided on spur of the moment to try it so I didn't have buttermilk so I used some half n' half, milk and vinegar to make a pseudo buttermilk -- they were delicious but next time I will buy buttermilk because I'm sure they will just be better. I also made the honey mustard and a sweet n sour sauce, very yummy! Thanks
Ann
Can these be made in an air fryer? If so, at what temperature and how long?
Joanna Sacgoski
so amazing my family loved them!
Seth Thomad
Awesome. My kids absolutely love these. Can't tell the difference. I prefer them with less sugar so usually make twi batches at a time. Never last more than 2 or 3 days.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Love hearing that! Thank you Seth!
Rebecca
Now that air frying is all the rage, how would I go about converting to an air fry recipe?
Melissa Hamilton
So, so good! My grandkids new favorite!
Mom1
Is it ok to bake the chicken?
Connie Sears
would you freeze these before or after cooking?
Arabella
I love this chicken. These look crunchy and delicious!
Steve Puu
How creative!. It is so delicious. Thank for sharing. I love chicken. I'm going to try it now
Camille Y.
My girls love chick-fil-a and the little bites they sell in the morning are addictive so to be able to do them at home is an extra bonus. Thank you.
Heather
I can't wait to try these! I don't have an electric fryer and I don't have a cast iron skillet--any other suggestions? Nonstick skillet or bake in the oven? Thanks!
Jonathan
I used to work at Chic-fil-a and made the nuggets when I worked there. The only thing different in your process is that they use Butter Milk instead of regular milk to soak the chicken in before battering. So your note about buttermilk was spot-on. Well done!
Kara
I am very excited to try this recipe!! I worked at Chick-fil-a so I've breaded and pressure cooked my fair share of chicken. The only difference I see is that they soak the nuggets in a marinade before they freeze them for storage. When they thaw out the nuggets, directly before putting them in the pressure cooker they toss them in the milk wash and then the flour coat.
corey
I encourage everyone to make these. Don't be scared of frying - it adds so much flavor!
Kristen
This is my second raving review today! We made these for dinner and they were delicious and looked just as pictured. The only change was I used a cast iron skillet with oil on med high heat. Yum!! Big thanks!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Woo hoo! So glad they turned out yummy! I sure do appreciate you taking the time to come back and leave a comment!!
Katie
I just made this for my VERY picky husband. He liked it and said I can make it again. That's saying something lol! He only eats about 10 things.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Now that is what we like to hear! 🙂 Thank you so much for letting me know how they turned out for ya!!
Alysha Kinney
I have made these a couple differnt times for my family. My daughter (5) just eats them up as quick as i can pull them out of the oil! HUGE HIT!!!!! 🙂
Brandie @ The Country Cook
To hear when the kiddos like something is always one of the biggest compliments. Because we all know, they don't hesitate to tell us the cold, hard truth. Ha!! Love reading that - thank you!
The Country Cook
Thank you SO very much!! I am so happy this recipe turned out good for you. I really appreciate y'all taking the time to let me know how a recipe turned out. I hope you find many more recipes on here that you love!! ~Brandie
Alison
Made these tonight, everyone loved them! Another winner from your blog, thanks!
Jessica Martinez
I just made these and they are AMAZING! Thank you for all of the wonderful recipes you share!!
Jessica Martinez
These are amazing! Thank you for all of the wonderfull recipes you share!!
Angie Freeman
I just found your blog and enjoy it very much! I am a former south Virginia girl also and I gotta love someone who uses the term, "daggone"!
Angie
peps
Delicious!! I will try it!!!
Anne
Thank you for posting this, I'm making these tonight and I can't wait! I love your recipes and have never had anything I didn't enjoy from your site.
Krista
I love recreating recipes at home too. It's always such a challenge and so gratifying when you come so close! And the powdered sugar! Who would have thought! You're so smart! Thanks for sharing at Church Supper. Have a blessed week and come back soon.
Chandra
Oh My Word! These Look JUST like the chick fil a nuggets!! I can't wait to try these!!!
mjskit
I've never had the Chick-fil-A nuggets, but I can tell that these nuggets are delicious! And your honey mustard sauce looks like a perfect dipping sauce for them! Great Job!
From Valeries Kitchen
No doubt in my mind that these are far better than anything you can get at a fast food place. Good job!
Cindi
Yours are better b/c there is no MSG! Sad but true, Chick-Fil-A adds MSG to there breaded chicken 🙁
And I'm so excited b/c your frying set up is sweet!
Joan
I definitely give these two thumbs up! Made it exactly to your recipe!
The Better Baker
MMMM!
Annie
Holy cow these were good! Thank you for this recipe!
Andrea @ From the Bookshelf
These look great Brandie! Have to give them a whirl!
The Country Cook
Thanks for the lovely comments everyone!! I really hope you like this one if you give it a try!
Shana, I haven't actually tried freezing these to be honest but I think you could. The breading on these are similar to Chick-fil-A in that it is not a crispy batter so freezing them should be alright.
Joan, yes, that is an electric fryer that I have. But you could certainly use your large cast iron skillet for frying these! 🙂
Sandra
My granddaughter loves nuggets and these would be so much better for her.
Yin
The nuggets looks really crispy and irresistible my boy will finish them in no time:-)
thanks for the simple recipe.
Yin
SHANA
Thank you so much. This would be much better for my son than the store bought popcorn chicken he loves. Can you freeze these? I would like to make a bunch so I can pull out some as he wants it. That would be awesome.
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen
Oh yes! my girls favorite meal - bookmarked!!
Mary x
Gayle
These were awesome! And I have to agree - we decided to try a batch with pickle juice and without and no one could tell the difference. Delicious!
Bethany
I have made these and actually soaked the chicken in pickle juice, Claussen Brand, for 30 minuets to up to over night, and it made a huge difference! Actually tasted like Chick Fil A!
Steph
Hi Bethany. How did you do it ? Did you soak it in pickle juice then later that day soaked it in buttermilk?