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Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets

Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets

JC Phelps
Crispy, tender, and full of flavor, these copycat Chick-fil-A nuggets are a perfect homemade version of the fast-food favorite!
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Marinating Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 18 nuggets
Calories 87 kcal

Equipment

  • Frying Pan
  • Large Ziploc Bag

Ingredients
  

  • 6 chicken tenderloins cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 c. dill pickle juice
  • 1 egg
  • 1 c. milk
  • 1 c. all purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp. powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp. smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp. pepper
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • oil for frying

Instructions
 

  • Place your cut chicken pieces into a bowl with pickle juice. Cover with plastic wrap and let the chicken brine in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour to tenderize it.
  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together the milk and egg until combined. After the chicken has marinated, remove it from the pickle juice and transfer it into the milk mixture.
  • In a large Ziploc bag, add the flour, powdered sugar, paprika, pepper, and salt. Seal the bag and shake to mix the dry ingredients evenly.
  • Heat oil in a frying pan to 400°F.
  • Place each piece of chicken, coated in the milk mixture, into the flour mixture. Seal the bag again and shake to fully coat each piece with flour.
  • Once the oil is hot, shake off the excess flour from each chicken piece, and carefully place it into the frying pan.
  • Cook the chicken for about 10 minutes, until the outside is golden brown. Remove the chicken from the frying pan and let the excess oil drain on a plate lined with paper towels.
  • Serve the chicken while still warm with fries and your desired sauce.

Notes

  • For a true copycat flavor, you must use dill pickle juice for brining the chicken. This not only tenderizes the meat but also adds that signature tangy taste to the nuggets.
  • For a thicker, crunchier coating, double-dip the chicken. After the first coating in the flour mixture, dip the chicken back into the milk mixture and then into the flour again before frying.
  • Let the cooked nuggets drain on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil. This helps keep the nuggets crispy and light.

Nutrition

Calories: 87kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 6gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.3gTrans Fat: 0.003gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 332mgPotassium: 109mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 176IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets
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