Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets Recipe Easy and Delicious

That first bite of a perfectly seasoned, crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside chicken nugget is pure comfort. If you’ve ever wanted to recreate that crave-worthy experience at home, this Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets recipe makes it easy with everyday ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

I spent a summer testing batches in my own kitchen, tweaking the brine and spice blend until my neighbor’s kids started asking when “nugget day” was coming back. The secret? A quick pickle juice marinade that tenderizes the chicken and adds that signature tangy brightnessplus a light coating that crisps up beautifully whether you bake or fry. After years of writing recipes and ingredient testing, I can tell you this one delivers every single time.

Yesica Andrews

Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets Recipe Easy and Delicious

This Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets recipe is simple to make and packed with flavor. The marinade soaked in dill pickle juice and the perfect breading blend make these nuggets irresistibly crispy and juicy. A great homemade version of the classic fast-food favorite that everyone will love.

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Prep Time 45 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 258

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 Boneless skinless Chicken Breasts cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1 cup Dill Pickle Juice
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup Milk
• 1 cup All Purpose Flour
• 1 Tbsp Confectioners’ Sugar
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1 tsp Pepper
• 1 tsp Salt
• Peanut Oil or Canola Oil for Frying

Method

 

1. Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and cover them with dill pickle juice. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight to marinate.
2. Take the chicken out from the marinade and pour off the excess pickle juice.
3. In a small bowl, beat the egg and milk together, then add this mixture over the chicken pieces.
4. Combine the flour, confectioners’ sugar, paprika, pepper, and salt inside a large ziplock bag. Seal the bag and shake to mix the dry ingredients.
5. Drain off the liquid from the chicken and transfer the pieces into the ziplock bag with the flour mixture. Seal it and shake until all chicken pieces are fully coated.
6. Heat your peanut or canola oil in a pan over medium heat or preheat your fryer.
7. Carefully cook the nuggets in batches, frying each until golden and crispy, about 3 to 5 minutes per batch.
8. Once cooked, place the nuggets on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any extra oil.
9. Serve the nuggets hot with your favorite dipping sauces for the best experience.

Notes

• For best results, marinate the chicken overnight to enhance flavor and tenderness. Use a thermometer to keep oil temperature steady for crispier nuggets. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and reheated in the oven for the best texture.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There’s something magical about biting into a nugget that’s crispy outside and juicy insideand now you can skip the drive-through line and make them right in your own kitchen. The pickle juice marinade is the secret weapon here, tenderizing the chicken while adding that signature tangy flavor everyone craves.

• Simple everyday ingredients: No hunting down specialty itemsjust chicken breasts, pickle juice, and pantry staples you already have.
• Better than takeout: Control the oil quality and freshness, plus they taste even better straight from your stove.
• Kid-approved every time: My neighbor’s family requests these weekly, and even picky eaters clean their plates.
• Perfect for meal prep: Double the batch and freeze half for those nights when dinner needs to happen fast.

Key Ingredients You’ll Need

Shopping for this recipe is straightforwardeverything’s available at your regular grocery store. The magic happens when these simple ingredients come together in just the right way.

The marinade: Dill pickle juice is the star player here, working overnight (or in just 30 minutes if you’re short on time) to keep the chicken incredibly tender. Grab a jar from the refrigerator sectionthe tangier, the better.

The coating: All purpose flour gets a flavor boost from confectioners’ sugar (yes, really!), paprika, pepper, and salt. That touch of sugar creates the golden-brown color and helps with crisping. The milk and egg mixture acts as the glue that makes everything stick beautifully.

For frying: Peanut oil gives you authentic flavor, but canola oil works perfectly if that’s what you have on hand. Both heat well and create that signature crispy exterior.

How the Magic Happens

The process is simpler than you might thinkjust a quick marinade, a shake in a ziplock bag, and a few minutes in hot oil. Here’s exactly how it comes together:

Pro Tip: Don’t skip draining the excess milk mixture before coatingtoo much liquid makes the breading soggy instead of crispy.

Smart Swaps and Tweaks

One of the best parts about making copycat Chick Fil A nuggets at home is how flexible they are. After testing dozens of batches, I’ve found these swaps work beautifully without sacrificing that signature taste and texture.

Note: If you want a little extra kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the flour mixtureit won’t overpower the kids but adds a nice warmth.

Serving and Storage Tips

These nuggets taste absolutely incredible fresh and hot, but they’re also fantastic for making ahead. Pair them with your favorite dipping sauceshoney mustard, ranch, barbecue, or even a simple ketchup all work beautifully.

How to store: Let cooked nuggets cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven for 8-10 minutes to restore the crispy coatingskip the microwave if you want to keep that crunch.

Freezing for later: Freeze uncooked breaded nuggets on a baking sheet until solid (about 2 hours), then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Fry straight from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the cooking time. You can also freeze fully cooked nuggets and reheat them in the oven whenever hunger strikes.

• Weeknight win: Make a double batch on Sunday, freeze half, and you’ve got dinner ready in minutes all week long.
• Party favorite: Set out a nugget platter with 3-4 different dipping saucesguests always gravitate toward the homemade ones first.
• Lunch box hero: Pack cold nuggets with a small container of sauce for a protein-packed midday meal the whole family will actually eat.

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FAQs (Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets)

These Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets come together in under an hour, and that first crispy, tangy bite makes every second worth it. You’ll love how golden and tender they turn out, straight from your own kitchen. The pickle juice does all the heavy lifting, and the coating crisps up beautifully whether you fry or bake.

Try a drizzle of honey over the hot nuggets for a sweet-salty twist the kids will go wild for. If you’re prepping ahead, freeze the breaded nuggets before fryingthey’ll keep for months and fry up perfectly from frozen. A trick I learned from my Texas farmers’ market days: use the freshest chicken you can find, and the flavor really shines through.

I’d love to hear if these become a weeknight staple in your house like they have in mine. Did you grow up sneaking extra nuggets at the dinner table? Snap a photo when yours come out of the pan, and share it with someone who’d appreciate a homemade version of this childhood favorite.