Perfectly Crispy Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets Recipe
This copycat Chick-fil-A nuggets recipe is an easy Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets recipe that delivers crispy fried chicken nuggets full of flavor. Perfect for any occasion, pair with Chick-fil-A style nugget dipping sauce for a delightful homemade meal.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon dill pickle juice
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 large egg white
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard for the dipping sauce
- 3 tablespoons barbecue sauce for the dipping sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey for the dipping sauce
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces and pickle juice. Toss to coat evenly and let marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes. This brine keeps the chicken moist and adds the signature tangy flavor.
- While the chicken marinates, prepare the batter. In a separate bowl, whisk together cornstarch, soy sauce, egg white, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and Dijon mustard until smooth.
- Add the chicken to the batter mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Let it rest for a few minutes while you heat the oil.
- In a deep skillet, heat 1 inch of oil to 375°F. You'll know the oil is ready when a drop of batter sizzles and floats to the surface.
- Fry the chicken in batches to avoid crowding the pan. Cook each batch for 1–2 minutes per side, turning once, until golden brown and crisp. The chicken should have an internal temperature of 165°F when done.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer the nuggets to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- To make the sauce, whisk together Dijon mustard, barbecue sauce, and honey in a small bowl. Serve alongside the freshly fried nuggets.
Notes
The batter in this recipe works well and yields a crisp, tasty 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. 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.