This copycat Chick-fil-A nuggets recipe is one your kids will beg you to make over and over again. With a signature crispy coating, these chicken nuggets are easy to make at home.
Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets
This Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets recipe comes pretty darn close to the real thing if I do say so myself. I love creating copycat recipes because not only am I impressed with the results but it saves money and time spent in lineups. Definitely a win-win!
My kids go nuts for this and honestly so do I! We serve it on a platter with different sauce recipes like copycat Chick-fil-A sauce, buffalo sauce or ranch dressing and a side of homemade french fries and it’s like we are having takeout at home!
During the holidays, we even make a copycat Chick-fil A peppermint shake and it really is restaurant-inspired at home!
Ingredients for the Best Chick-fil-A Nuggets
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Skinless chicken breasts: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-size pieces that are evenly cut. This will ensure that the chicken is being cooked at the same time.
- Milk: Marinate the chicken pieces in milk to tenderize the chicken.
- Eggs: Whisk together the eggs. Dip the chicken in the eggs to hold the flour onto the chicken.
- All-purpose flour: This is the breading that goes on the outside of the chicken while it is being cooked.
- Powdered sugar: A secret ingredient that will help sweeten the chicken.
- Paprika: Add a little spice and extra flavoring to the homemade nuggets.
- Oil: Heat the oil to 175 degrees Fahrenheit. This will keep the oil hot enough to cool the chicken quickly but enough to cook it thoroughly.
How to Make Homemade Chick-fil-A Nuggets
- Whisk. In a large bowl whisk together the milk, eggs, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt. Add the chicken to the milk and allow it to sit for a few minutes.
- Heat oil. Place 1 to 2 inches of canola or peanut oil into a large skillet. Heat the oil over medium-high heat and place a thermometer to get it to 350ºF.
- Dry ingredients. In a large bowl or casserole dish, whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, paprika, and pepper.
- Breading chicken. Working in small batches, add 1/4 of the chicken from the milk mixture into the flour mixture. Try to drip the excess liquid from the chicken before putting it in the flour. Move the chicken with tongs to coat it with the flour.
- Cooked chicken nuggets. Place the chicken pieces in oil once it is hot enough. Monitor the temperature and turn the heat down if it goes above 350ºF so it doesn’t burn. Cook for 4 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 160ºF.
- Cool chicken. Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and place on a baking sheet lined with a cooling rack. Place in a preheated oven while repeating the other batches.
- Serve chicken while hot. Dip in your favorite sauce. Store leftovers in a covered container. Reheat in the oven to retain the crispiness.
Copycat Recipe Tips
- Don’t skimp on soaking the chicken breasts in milk or buttermilk. It helps retain moisture, making the chicken nice and juicy as you bite through the crispy coating. The slight acid in buttermilk also helps tenderize the meat without drying it out.
- Use a thermometer, if you have one. It will be much easier to know when the oil is hot enough. Not having it at the right temperature can mean the difference between exactly the crispness we’re looking for and not crispy enough or burnt. Knowing the internal temperature will also help you figure out if your chicken is cooked just right.
- Canola oil. Chick-fil-A does use refined peanut oil, but since most of us have Canola oil on hand, that’s what I used. It came out close enough to the real thing!
- Fry in batches. This way you leave room for even cooking making sure all sides crisp up.
- Variations. As with any recipe, altering ingredients is totally up to your preference. Just know that this Chick-fil-a nuggets recipe is as close to the real thing as you’re going to get. Even down to the powdered sugar which is a signature ingredient!
Dipping Sauces
So many options! Try one or as many of the delicious sauces below. Have a sweet, savory, tangy, or classic, or try them all to know just what is the best combination!
- Chick-fil-A sauce: If you haven’t tried Chick-fil-A sauce, you are missing out! This sauce is the perfect combination when dipped with Chick-fil-A nuggets.
- Honey mustard sauce: Sweet and savory sauce that is blended together for those who love it!
- Ranch dressing: Most kids and adults love ranch dressing and even better on chicken nuggets.
- Barbecue sauce: Warm and tangy sauce that is perfect with nuggets.
- Buffalo sauce: Spicy orange sauce that gives a kick.
- Fry sauce: This is a mash-up of ketchup and mayo combined. It is a MUST try!
- Ketchup: A classic go-to sauce that everyone loves!
- Sriracha and mayo: A creamy and spicy combination that is a fun twist.
- Blue cheese dressing: This is usually an acquired taste but so delicious.
Recipe FAQs
Chick-fil-A nuggets are crispy golden nuggets of chicken breast that have been soaked in a milk or buttermilk bath and then coated in deliciously seasoned flour and fried until tender and juicy on the inside and light and crispy on the outside.
They’re a signature menu item at the popular fast food joint but despite the rumors, they do not use a pickle brine to soak their chicken in, so neither do we. Although, I’m not opposed to trying it out one day just for fun! They’ve got a remarkable taste, partly due to the fact that the recipe uses powdered sugar which allows for more even distribution and helps with the texture
The special marinate is pickle brine! Dill pickle juice adds flavor and tenderizes the chicken. It is a win-win! For this recipe, we are using a milk or buttermilk base rather than pickle juice.
There could be a few reasons! If your oil is not hot enough before adding the nuggets, your nuggets will soak up too much oil and lead to soggy results. Using a slotted spoon can also help remove excess oil, as well as allowing them to sit on a rack on top of a baking sheet to allow for excess grease to fall. Last, be sure to leave enough room between the nuggets as they sit and keep warm while you finish the other batches. If they’re too close together, the steam released will transfer over making the batch soggy.
5 star review
“This tastes even BETTER than CFL. So easy to make too!”
-Raquel
Make Ahead
To prep ahead, cut your chicken into 1″ pieces and soak it in the milk. Place the bowl in the fridge for a couple of hours ahead of time until you’re ready to start frying.
Storing & Reheating
- To store: Keep covered in an airtight container in the fridge to retain the moisture.
- To reheat: Once out of the fridge, reheat them in the oven to get back the crispness.
More Copycat Recipes
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Chick-fil-A Nuggets Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts , cut into 1" cubes
- 1 ½ cups milk , or buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 Tablespoon salt , divided
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 3 Tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- canola oil or peanut oil , for frying
For dipping: Ranch, Honey mustard, Chick-fil-A sauce, Ketchup
Instructions
- In a large bowl whisk together the milk, eggs and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt. Add the chicken to the milk and allow to sit for a few minutes (you can also place in the refrigerator for a couple hours if prepping ahead of time).
- Place 1 to 2 inches of canola or peanut oil into a large skillet. Heat the oil over medium high heat and place a thermometer to get it to 350ºF.
- In a large bowl or casserole dish, whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, paprika and pepper.
- Working in small batches, add 1/4 of the chicken from the milk mixture into the flour (try to drip the excess liquid from the chicken before putting in the flour. Move the chicken with tongs to coat with the flour.
- Place the chicken pieces in oil once it is hot enough. Monitor the temperature and turn the heat down if it goes above 350ºF so it doesn't burn. Cook for 4 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 160ºF.
- Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and place on a baking sheet lined with a cooling rack. Place in a preheated oven (I keep it around 175ºF) while repeating the other batches.
- Serve chicken while hot. Dip in your favorite sauce. Store leftovers in a covered container. Reheat in the oven to retain the crisp.
Notes
- 1/3 cup mayo
- 2 to 3 Tablespoons BBQ sauce
- 2-3 teaspoons mustard
- 1 to 2 Tablespoons honey
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Appetizers, Chicken, Dinner, Kid-Friendly, Mini appetizers, Stovetop
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
This tastes even BETTER than CFL. So easy to make too!
I’m so glad you liked it, Raquel! :)
Yum! They look amazing! I can’t wait to try, thanks for the recipe!
Have you tried these in an air fryer?
I have not, but I bet they would taste great!
This was such a hit! Thank you for this awesome recipe.
My family is going to love this! The flavors are perfect and I can’t wait to try this recipe!