Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets

It’s tough to match a master at their own game, but these copycat Chick-fil-A nuggets do a pretty good job of it. They’ll give you all the flavor and texture of genuine Chick-fil-A nuggets without hopping in the car or opening up an expensive delivery app. While it may not save time, it certainly saves money. Calories, too—I can’t be the only one who impulsively buys the frosted lemonade.

Our version of copycat Chick-fil-A nuggets is surprisingly easy to make at home. You’ll marinate the chicken pieces in dill pickle juice, then dredge them in a well-seasoned, umami-rich, mustardy batter. After that, you’ll fry them in small batches (because big batches are a common frying mistake!), then serve them with homemade barbecue dipping sauce. And if you’re still really craving that frosted lemonade, our frozen whipped lemonade is the next best thing.

Ingredients for Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets

• Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts make the best nuggets. Do your absolute best to cut them to the same size so they all finish cooking at the same time.
• Dill pickle juice: Dill pickle juice is acidic, which means that it breaks down the muscle proteins in the chicken. This tenderizes them, while simultaneously flavoring and moistening them.
• Cornstarch: Unlike heavy flour-based batter, a cornstarch batter makes fried foods light and crisp. Don’t substitute arrowroot, potato or tapioca starch; they won’t work as well.
• Soy sauce: Soy sauce adds savory umami and depth of flavor to the chicken batter. Feel free to use tamari or coconut aminos instead.
• Egg white: Egg whites are the secret ingredient that keeps the breading from falling off. The proteins bind the batter together. Cooked egg yolk, on the other hand, is creamy and rich, and would make the breading more likely to fall off.
• Seasonings: The garlic powder, salt and pepper give the nuggets a nicely balanced flavor. Paprika adds a hint of sweet-pepper flavor to the batter, and also helps give it some color.
• Dijon mustard: Dijon mustard brings a spicy tang to the batter and helps thicken it. It’s also a key ingredient in the accompanying dipping sauce. We like Dijon for its zippy spiciness, but you can use another type of mustard as desired.
• Barbecue sauce: Barbecue sauce brings color and a sweet, smoky flavor to the dipping sauce. Splurge on one of the best barbecue sauces so all your recipes turn out sweet, smoky and lively.
• Honey: Honey adds a little sweetness to the sauce. Substitute it with a good hot honey (or homemade hot honey to control the spice level!) if you like a kick of heat.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the copycat chicken nuggets

Place the chicken pieces and pickle juice in a bowl, and toss until the chicken is well coated. Set this aside at room temperature for 30 minutes. While it marinates, whisk the cornstarch, buttermilk, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, egg white, garlic powder, salt, pepper and paprika to make a thick batter. Add this batter to the chicken mixture, and toss again to thoroughly coat the pieces.

Step 2: Mix the dipping sauce

Combine the mayonnaise, yellow mustard, barbecue sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar and smoked paprika, mixing them well. Set the dip aside.

Step 3: Fry the nuggets

In a Dutch oven or electric skillet, heat the oil to 375°F. Fry the chicken pieces, a few at a time, until they’re browned and their juices run clear, roughly one to two minutes on each side. Drain the nuggets on paper towels as they come out of the oil. Serve the nuggets hot with dipping sauce and, if desired, waffle fries.

Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets Variations

• Bread them: 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.
• Change the dipping sauce: Chick-fil-A offers a pretty wide range of dipping sauces, and most of them can be replicated at home. Offering a range of sauces is one of the simplest ways to create a something-for-everyone experience.
• Grill the nuggets: The regular Chick-fil-A nuggets are hugely popular, but many fans consider the grilled nuggets to be even better (and healthier). To make those, marinate the chicken pieces in a mixture of pickle juice and either milk or buttermilk. After the 30-minute soak, drain and discard the marinade, then season the nuggets with salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika as you would in the main recipe. Grill them outdoors on your gas or charcoal grill, or indoors on a ridged grill pan. If you have a panini maker or contact grill, they do really well at replicating those restaurant-style grill marks.

How to Store Chick-fil-A Copycat Nuggets

Any leftover nuggets should be packed into an airtight food storage container and put away in your refrigerator as soon as the meal is over. A piece of paper towel or brown paper on the bottom of the container will help absorb any excess oil.

How long will copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets keep?

Leftover nuggets will keep for up to four days in the fridge if you pack and refrigerate them promptly after the meal. You may need to make a double batch if you want leftovers, but that’s a good problem to have. Reheating them without sacrificing texture or drying them out can be a challenge. Follow our guide to reheating fried chicken for the best results.

Can I freeze leftover nuggets?

Yes, you can freeze these either cooked or uncooked. Either way, freezing them on a parchment-lined sheet pan first is your best bet. Once frozen, you can pack the nuggets into heavy-duty freezer bags or a freezer-safe storage container with a tight-fitting lid. Cooked nuggets should be defrosted overnight in the fridge, and then reheated just as you would any other piece of fried chicken. Cook raw nuggets directly from frozen; they’ll just take an extra minute or two to reach a food-safe temperature.

Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets Tips

What kind of oil should I use to fry my copycat Chick-fil-A nuggets?

You have several options when it comes to frying oil. You need an oil with a high smoke point (so it can handle the heat) and a neutral flavor. The best oils for frying include canola, sunflower, safflower, corn and soybean oil. They’re all inexpensive and easy to find. Peanut oil is another good one, though it’s an allergen and adds a noticeable flavor. Other options like avocado oil and grapeseed oil also work well, but they’re not as budget-friendly.

How can I tell when my copycat nuggets are done?

The simplest way to know if they’re cooked is to cut one open. It should be golden on the outside, and the juices inside should run clear. If your tester is done, cook the rest of them for the same time. An instant-read thermometer is a better option, especially if your nuggets aren’t all the same size.

Can I cook my copycat nuggets in my oven or air fryer?

This recipe isn’t really your best bet for oven or air-fryer cooking because of the sticky batter. We have other recipes that work well in those appliances, though. This versatile chicken nugget recipe lends itself to multiple cooking methods, and we have dozens of other homemade chicken tender recipes you can experiment with.

What should I serve with my copycat Chick-fil-A nuggets?

You can serve them with any of the usual fried chicken side dishes. Corn on the cob, mashed potatoes with gravy, and kid-friendly fries are all easy choices. For a more virtuous option, serve them with your favorite salad. If you want to double down on recreating the Chick-fil-A experience at home, we’ve got you covered. We’ve curated a list of other recipes that are either direct Chick-fil-a copycats or at least are very similar to one of the chain’s menu items.