These homemade Chick-fil-A style nuggets taste remarkably like the original: crispy, slightly salty, and with a subtle sweetness. Serve them with the included Chick-fil-A sauce or your favorite dips for an easy family meal.
I also like making simple dipping sauces such as fry sauce and a basic BBQ sauce to offer variety. Pair the nuggets with a fresh lemonade for a complete, crowd-pleasing dinner.
Reasons You’ll LOVE this Recipe
- Better than takeout: You’ll save money and get more nuggets for the family. These homemade nuggets are flavorful and often tastier than restaurant versions.
- Feeds a crowd: This recipe scales easily—double or triple the batch to serve groups or to have leftovers on hand.
Ingredients in Homemade Chick-fil-A Nuggets
The key to the signature flavor is a briny touch from pickle juice in the marinade. Exact measurements are shown in the recipe card below.
Chicken Nuggets
- Chicken breasts: Cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Buttermilk: Tenderizes the chicken and adds tang.
- Pickle juice: Adds a bright, vinegary note that mimics the familiar flavor.
- Egg: Helps the marinade cling and binds the breading.
- Flour: The base for the breading.
- Panko breadcrumbs: Provide extra crisp texture.
- Garlic and onion powder: Essential savory seasoning.
- Salt and pepper: To taste; they enhance the overall flavor.
- Oil: Use peanut oil for an authentic flavor, or use canola/vegetable oil if preferred.
Chick-fil-A Sauce
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base of the sauce.
- Mustard: Adds tang and depth.
- Lemon juice: Keeps the sauce bright and fresh.
- Honey: Provides smooth sweetness.
- Smoky BBQ sauce: Rounds out the flavor with a subtle smokiness.
How to Make Chicken Nuggets
These nuggets are quick and easy. Double the recipe to stock up for parties or busy weeknights.
- Cut the chicken: Dice chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. Heat about 2 inches of oil in a large skillet or set up a deep fryer.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, panko, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper; set aside.
- Make the marinade: Whisk buttermilk, pickle juice, and egg. Place chicken in a large zip-top bag or bowl with the marinade and shake or stir to coat evenly.
- Bread the chicken: Remove a few pieces at a time, let excess marinade drip off, then toss in the flour mixture until evenly coated.
- Fry: Fry the breaded chicken in hot oil for 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Drain and repeat: Transfer cooked nuggets to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Continue with remaining chicken.
- Prepare the sauce: Whisk together mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, honey, and smoky BBQ sauce. Serve warm with the fresh nuggets.
Tips and Variations for Nuggets
- Pickle juice debate: Many cooks swear by pickle juice for the authentic tang and moist texture, though some find it optional. Try it and decide which you prefer.
- Season generously: Season the flour and panko well—some of it will shake off, but enough will remain to flavor the crust.
- Double-dip for extra crunch: A light first coat followed by a second layer of breading creates a thicker, crispier crust.
- Rest before frying: Let coated nuggets sit briefly on a wire rack so the breading adheres better and resists falling off while frying.
Storing Leftover Chick-fil-A Nuggets
- Refrigerator: Cool nuggets completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes or in an air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes to restore crispness.
More Chick-fil-A Copycat Recipes
Recipe Skill Levels
Copycat Chick-fil-A Peach Shake
5 minutes
Dinner
Copycat Chick-fil-A Sandwich
25 minutes
Dressings, Sauces, and Dips
Polynesian Sauce
5 minutes
Beverages
Copycat Chick fil A Lemonade
1 hour 10 minutes
Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets and Chick-fil-A sauce
These nuggets are perfectly crispy with a hint of sweetness—an easy, family-friendly meal when paired with the dipping sauce.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Ingredients
Nugget Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breasts
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup pickle juice
- 1 egg
- Oil for frying
Chick-fil-A Sauce
- 1/2 cup Mayo
- 2 tsp Prepared Mustard
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp Honey
- 1 Tbsp Smokey BBQ sauce
Instructions
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Dice 2 pounds chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. Heat 2 inches of oil in a large skillet or preheat a deep fryer.
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Whisk together 2 cups flour, 2 cups panko, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper in a large bowl; set aside.
-
Combine 1 cup buttermilk, ¼ cup pickle juice, and 1 egg. Pour into a large zip-top bag or bowl, add the diced chicken, and seal or cover. Shake or stir to coat the chicken evenly.
-
Remove chicken in small batches, let excess marinade drip off, then toss in the breading until each piece is evenly coated.
-
Fry the breaded chicken in hot oil for 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
-
Transfer cooked nuggets to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with remaining pieces.
-
Make the dipping sauce by stirring together ½ cup mayo, 2 tsp prepared mustard, 1 tsp lemon juice, 2 Tbsp honey, and 1 Tbsp smoky BBQ sauce. Serve with hot nuggets.
Video
Notes
Updated on June 23, 2024
Originally Posted on November 2, 2012
Nutrition
Calories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 42gFat: 21gSodium: 1079mg
Nutrition information is an approximation and should be used as a guide only.
Additional Info
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
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