Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets
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 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Peanut oil or canola oil for frying
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken:
- Place the chicken pieces in a medium-sized bowl and pour the dill pickle juice over them. Ensure the chicken is fully submerged.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes to allow the chicken to marinate.
- Prepare the Coating Mixtures:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk until well combined.
- In a large ziplock bag, add the flour, confectioners’ sugar, paprika, pepper, and salt. Seal the bag and shake it to mix all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Coat the Chicken:
- After marinating, remove the chicken from the refrigerator and drain off the pickle juice.
- Pour the milk and egg mixture over the chicken pieces, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Using a slotted spoon, lift the chicken pieces out of the milk mixture, allowing any excess to drain off.
- Place the chicken pieces into the ziplock bag with the flour mixture. Seal the bag, then shake it vigorously to ensure all the chicken pieces are well coated with the flour mixture.
- Fry the Chicken:
- Heat the peanut oil or canola oil in a large pan over medium heat or in a deep fryer. The oil should reach a temperature of about 350°F (175°C).
- Carefully add the chicken pieces to the hot oil in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan or fryer.
- Fry the chicken until golden brown and crispy, approximately 3-5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to turn the chicken pieces as needed to ensure even cooking.
- Drain and Serve:
- Once cooked, transfer the chicken nuggets to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any excess oil.
- Serve the nuggets immediately while they are still warm. Enjoy them with your favorite dipping sauces!
Tips:
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of garlic powder or onion powder to the flour mixture.
- If you prefer a lighter coating, shake off any excess flour mixture from the chicken pieces before frying.
- To keep the cooked nuggets warm while frying the remaining batches, place them on a baking sheet in a 200°F (93°C) oven.
Credit for the delicious recipe: Eating on a Dime
Enjoy your homemade Chick-fil-A nuggets!