Skip the Line and make chick-fil-A’s famous chicken nuggets at home for a fraction of the price. Made with real chicken breasts, a blend of spices, and the secret ingredient, pickle juice. Served with a homemade Honey Mustard sauce, these nuggets are sure to satisfy the entire family!
If you love Chick-Fil-A as much as I do, then you know how good their chicken is. I personally LOVE the spicy chicken deluxe sandwich, but today is all about the nuggets. My daughters are crazy for them. Now, of course, kids do love nuggets but I was shocked to see my 2-year-old actually finish her 6 nuggets at Chick-Fil-A the other day, so I took her back again and she seems to enjoy them very much. Maybe a little too much…
So everyone’s happy, right? well not really, mainly because our family day is Sunday and that’s when we eat out but Chick-Fil-A is closed on Sundays (which I completely understand ). So I decided to tackle the recipe at home because I was not too happy to read about how much MSG and sodium are in those little nuggets of heaven.
How To Make Chick-Fil-A Nuggets
Now, this recipe isn’t their secret recipe it’s just my copy-cat version. I don’t know how close I came to their original recipe, but it tastes pretty much the same, if not better and much healthier!
One of the top secrets to most fast food places is that they marinate the chicken in pickle juice to keep the chicken moist and give it an amazing taste. I know it’s hard to sacrifice a jar of pickle juice but the pickles will be just fine without the juice and will be totally worth it when you taste the chicken.
You can also use this method for marinating any type of fried chicken. If you must, and you don’t have pickle juice marinating the chicken in just milk will also work just as well but again, I highly recommend the pickle juice.
To begin, you will need to marinate the chicken in a mixture of milk and pickle juice. This helps tenderize the chicken so the longer, the better but generally you don’t want to go over 48 hours.
Next, remove the chicken from the fridge and whisk an egg into the mixture. Lastly, dip the nuggets into the seasoned flour mixture and fry until golden and cooked through.
How to Make Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
I like to serve these delicious nuggets with a honey mustard dipping sauce. It’s similar to the chick-fil-a sauce but without the bbq sauce included. If you are looking for a flavor similar to chick-fil-a, feel free to add a tablespoon of BBQ sauce to it.
To make the sauce, whisk mayo, yellow mustard, honey, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cover and store in the fridge until ready to use. The sauce will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
Looking for More Copy Cat Recipes?
I’ve got a ton more delicious ideas here:
- Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich
- Panera’s Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Chipotle’s Chicken Burrito Bowls
- Qdoba’s Chicken Burrito Bowls
Chick Fil A Nuggets
Ingredients
For the Nuggets:
- 2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts or tenderloins, about 1 pound cut into 1 inch chunks
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup dill pickle juice, optional but highly recommended
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar, powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika, optional
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- peanut oil, is best or canola oil (about 1-2 cups depending on pan size)
For the Dipping Sauce
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons yellow mustard
- 3 Tablespoons Honey
- 1/2 Tablespoon lemon juice or vinger
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
To make the nuggets:
- In a large bowl, combine chicken, 1/2 cup milk and pickle juice. Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 20-60 minutes or overnight, the longer the better. Remove from fridge and and an egg to the mixture.
- Heat peanut oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Now for this step you can either use a ziplock bag or simply dip the chicken into the flour mixture (in a bowl) and then place in oil. In a gallon sized ziplock bag, mix the flour, powdered sugar, and spices until well combined. Add the chicken pieces (without liquid) and shake well until fully coated.
- Working in batches, add chicken to the skillet and cook until evenly golden and crispy, about 3-5 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack or plate lined with paper towels.
- Serve immediately with honey mustard.
To make the honey mustard
- Whisk together mayonnaise, mustard, honey and lemon juice in a small bowl; set aside in the fridge for later.
Video
Equipment
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Definitely thankful I followed a suggestion by one of the people who commented to triple the seasonings! They turned out so tasty! I forgot to put sugar and still tasted great! I let marinate a day and a half (just because I didn’t have time to cook earlier) and turned out great! The only thing is they didn’t look like chick fil a nuggets but did taste like it (I used vegetable oil). I just bought the chick fill a sauce they sell at Walmart to make it easier. Made them with GF flour! 😊
Great recipe! I did do it slightly different. I marinated 1 1/2-2cups of pickle with the egg and milk together for 8 hours. Then did 3/4 cups of flour with 1/2 cup of corn starch, 1 Tablespoon of each Paprika, salt and pepper. We then fried them in canola oil.
Made these Chick Fa La nuggets!!! So good!!! Great recipe!! Will make again!!!
I made this and it was so easy, shame I didn’t have the right size tin, but I still made it work. Struggled to get it out like but I got there in the end too lol.
Any idea on how many calories 1slice contains?
This is very delicious recipe, one of the best I’ve tried so far.
Honestly, go ahead and double the seasoning. Especially the salt and sugar. But they’ll come out pretty good!
Easy recipe. Def lacked flavor. I tripled the seasoning amounts. Not sure if I liked the strictly flour breading texture. Will marinate in pickle juice again but will look for better breading alternatives. Thanks
Try using bisquick instead of flour.
This was pretty good! My family ate them before they were served! But I thought that it wasn’t the strong chick fil a flavor… but it was good with the sauce!
Tried a couple copycat recipes and this one is my favorite! Delicious! I actually found that buttermilk makes them even juicier so use that if you have it. =)
did you forget to season them, scott??
Hi! Just a heads up that Chick-fil-A donates money to organizations that are actively LGBTQ. Not everyone knows this and I think many people might pick a different takeout place if they were aware! Plus, another great reason to use your copycat recipe 🙂
So what. How about live your life and allow others to live theirs. Who Chick Fil A chooses to donate to is their damn business
This is pointless information , just eat some chicken
It is 2021 right???? And someone still cares about money being donated to LGBTQ?? You should be ashamed of yourself EM!!!
I think what em meant to say was actively ANTI lgbtq because I know chic Fila has donated alot to conversion therapy for gay and trans people.
Eat less LGBTQ+ chikin!
Just simply Ignorant
Made these tonight! Had my picky grandkids over and they devoured them! I soaked them in the pickle juice about 3 hrs and they were amazing! Thank you for a keeper recipe!
DEB darlin can i just say i absolutely love your name
This is the fifth time I’ve made this and we all just stand around the kitchen eating them as they cool. They don’t even make it out of the kitchen! You are absolutely right on marinating the chicken overnight in the pickle juice and milk…it adds the perfect taste!
SAME LOLLLLL! 🤗
Lgbtq is just a lot of gay people and I don’t think we need any more garbage about it
Dang homophobia on the chicken recipe page is crazy lmaoo
Oh-my-goodness!! These turned out so yummy. However, i dId make a few additIonS. I mixed the egg, milk (suBstituted coconut milk) and pickle juice all together. I let The chicken marinate for 30 mInutes. I SUBSTITUTED Ap flOur for cassava flour. I substituted chicken BUiLLION for salt and coconut oil INSTEAD of Peanut oil. All measurements remained the Same. It was yummo!! Thanks For sharing.
Omg this was so delicious. Taste just like chick fla. I let the pieces marinate about 5hrs. Instead of using regular table salt I used sea salt, which just might be the difference. Will definitely be making this again.
did you also replace chicken for beef
Thank you so MUCH FOR POSTING THIS NUGGET RECIPE! IT TURNED OUT SO WELL. I decided to make thIS RECIPE and compare it to the actual CHICK-FIL-A NUGGETS! 10/10 would recommend and make again. THEY WERE DEFINITELY LESS SALTY, BUT HONESTLY I PREFERRED THAT And if you’re interested in the video, here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJd6XrXi7KY&t=31s
Can’t watch your video it’s sets to private
Very good. I would definitely double bread these. Tried both ways and double breaded is much better. Soak in pickle juice at least 4 hours. Gives that chick fil a taste
YES IM IN LOVE WITH THE DOUBLE BREAD, 10/10 i love when things are thickly breaded instead of a very small thin layer!
Love this recipe! Chicken was super juicy.
I made these just like the recipe. I let them marinate for 2 hours. They do NOT taste like Chik-fil-a, but they were pretty darn good. I ate more than a few!
I think I will use this recipe for chicken wings also.
For those who thought they were bland, just adjust the seasoning to your taste. A little extra/less seasoning can make a difference.
ExcellenT! Did 3/4 cup flour and 1/2 cup corn starch. Tripled the paprika. So tender and juicy. Thanks for the great recipe.
What happened to the egg?
I veganized this recipe. I marinated Gardein scallopini frozen cutlets in pickle juice and plain vegan milk. I used bean aquafaba for the egg coating. I added a bit more powdered sugar and a bit more Half sharp hungarian paprika from penzey’s. I made the sauce out of Just Mayo. Might try with Panko next time. Served in Sandwich form with sauce on the side. Family loved it. I’ve never had actual Chick Fil A because I’ve been vegan for so long, plus their politics are not my politics. But I was curious to get in on the experience.
Think you can sub almond flour in place of regular flour?
I have not tried that substitution and cannot answer without further recipe testing. If you do try it, please let us know how it turns out!
Was not a fan. Bland. I think if you want any type of flavor you need to let the chicken soak for at least 12 hours. So much work for little reward.
It was amazing..
I marinated my pounded out chicken, pickle juice for 48 hours. Then I brought it to room temperature. Coated the chicken with seasoning (+mustard seasoning) and let it rest. While it was resting, I got the roasted potatoes going in the collard greens. I came back to the chicken chopped it, then coated it with the egg and flour mixture.. and little bites with scissors cooked it roughly 7mins. On each side! It is delicious!!
I submitted 1/2c of flour for Pablo crumbs. And I added a good shake of corn starch. Also, I omitted diary for water.. a little trick I learn to help my son with his diary problems.
*panko
do what rachel said but USE BREAD CRUMBS not flour! do not use flour it looks and tastes literally like a fried tortilla on top of flavor less chickens. get store bought bread crumbs (bout the same price as flour) and use that itll look like chick fil a!
the batter wont stick and seperated in the frying pan so use more eggs. 2-3 eggs!
I used a lot of eggs too.. it worked out great.
i tried this recipe again, but used butter milk instead of real milk (gets rid of that smell) and using msg salt makes a HUGE difference! if its too unhelathy use salt but put MORE in it. also in the egg pickle milk mix, put some chickfil a sauce into it. I had one in my car from the last time i ate there also u can just buy some french fries or whatever if u dont have sauce and want some. they usually give like 8 at a time!
its better if u take the chicken outof the pickle juice mix and then dip into the chickfil a sauce and then the batter. it also solves the “non sticky ” batter issue there was
its better if u take the chicken out of the pickle juice mix and then dip into the chickfil a sauce and then the batter. it also solves the problem rachel was having with the batter not being able to stick
They taste good, but NOT EVEN CLOSE to chickfil a!!! they taste flavor less
They’re both flavorless and good? that’s confusing. (And why does this comment section make everything in caps?!)
What a fantastic recipe! ❤
Made these and the honey mustard last night for New Years Eve.
Could not have been better! Thanks so much. I will be making these often!
Just tried these using the dill pickle juice. They were the best chicken nuggets we have ever had!!! They were so tender which is probably attributable to the soaking – not a food chemist but guessing. Thanks for a keeper recipe.
Just made this without the pickle juice. It was very delicious! I also made the sauce. I reduced the honey to 1 tablespoon and it was perfect! I wouldn’t want it any sweeter. Thank you for the recipe! One suggestion would be to proofread your post. There are a few grammatical errors and the wording of the directions seemed a little confusing. I had to read it multiple times. Not to sound rude, I do it too. Darn autocorrect!
Made these last night exactly like the recipe except I had no dill pickle juice. I used milk and apple cider vinegar but used only half the amount of the cider. They were in the milk mixture about an hour. They were so delicious you don’t even need the dipping sauce but it was also very good. Will be making these regularly!
Can these be baked? I’m not good with frying things.
yeah they can buy they won’t be as good as cfa but most definatley
These were fantastic! My family loved them and the kids asked if we could have them everyday. I was pleased that the flour mix actually stuck to the chicken. I substituted olive oil and plain organic yogurt in place of mayo. Big hit with my family and a keeper! Thank you!!!
these look scrumptious, totally having a craving!
Haha! Make sure you make them at home Christine 🙂
I am OBSESSED with chick fil a nuggets!! SO, so good! Your recreation looks even better 🙂 And the honey mustard dipping sauce? Yum! Pinned!
Thanks so much, Chelsea!! The Sauce is sooo good 😀
YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!! I’m SO making these!!! Who doesn’t love chick-fil-a chicken nuggets?? I’ve never heard of the pickle juice method, I like it!
I’m sure you’re going to see a huge difference when using pickle juice. You must give it a try!
Never heard about this ,,, until now, it all makes sense…counting down the minutes to cook these Nuggie’s up! Thx.
mmmmmmmm these nuggets look so good! and I had no idea about the pickle juice trick!
Yes, please give it a try!! Thanks Kayle!