These Copycat Chick-fil-A Crispy Fried Nuggets are tender, juicy, golden, and full of flavor. Made with bite-sized pieces of chicken, a simple pickle juice marinade, and a seasoned crispy coating, this homemade version is perfect for family dinners, game day snacks, or a fun fast-food-style meal at home.
Serve them with fries, ketchup, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce for a delicious meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup pickle juice
- ½ cup milk
- 1 large egg
For the Coating
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
For Frying
- Vegetable oil, peanut oil, or canola oil
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Place the chicken pieces in a bowl or zip-top bag. Pour the pickle juice over the chicken and toss to coat.
Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. This helps tenderize the chicken and gives it that classic tangy flavor.
Step 2: Prepare the Wet Mixture
In a small bowl, whisk together the milk and egg until smooth.
Remove the chicken from the pickle juice and discard the marinade.
Step 3: Make the Seasoned Coating
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, powdered sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and baking powder.
Mix well so the seasoning is evenly distributed.
Step 4: Coat the Nuggets
Dip each chicken piece into the milk and egg mixture, then coat it in the seasoned flour mixture.
For an extra crispy coating, dip the chicken back into the wet mixture and then into the flour mixture a second time.
Step 5: Heat the Oil
Pour oil into a deep skillet or heavy pot, enough to cover the bottom by about 1–2 inches.
Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C).
Step 6: Fry the Nuggets
Carefully add the coated chicken pieces to the hot oil in small batches. Do not overcrowd the pan.
Fry for 3–5 minutes, turning occasionally, until the nuggets are golden brown, crispy, and cooked through.
The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
Step 7: Drain and Serve
Transfer the fried nuggets to a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack.
Serve hot with fries and your favorite dipping sauces.
Tips for the Best Crispy Nuggets
For the juiciest nuggets, do not marinate the chicken for too long. About 30 minutes to 1 hour is enough. Make sure the oil stays around 350°F so the nuggets cook evenly and become crispy without getting greasy.
Fry in batches and let the nuggets rest on a wire rack if you want them to stay extra crunchy.
Serving Suggestions
These crispy chicken nuggets are delicious with French fries, coleslaw, mac and cheese, potato wedges, or a fresh side salad. For dipping, try honey mustard, ranch, barbecue sauce, ketchup, or a creamy homemade copycat sauce.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, place the nuggets in an air fryer or oven at 375°F (190°C) until hot and crispy again. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the coating crunchy.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Marinating Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 4 servings
- Course: Dinner, Snack
- Cuisine: American
- Method: Fried
