Crispy & Juicy: Homemade Nuggets Better Than Chick-fil-A

Make crispy, juicy nuggets that taste even better than Chick-fil-A’s with this easy homemade recipe!

Craving Chick-fil-A but want to make it at home? This better-than-Chick-fil-A nuggets recipe delivers the perfect crispy, juicy bite with that signature flavor you love. Let’s indulge in the crispy flavor of these nuggets, paired with an easy copycat Chick-fil-A sauce recipe that might just be better than the original.

This homemade recipe is a game-changer! With the perfect balance of crispy texture, juicy chicken, and that classic dipping sauce, you won’t miss the fast food version at all. Try it today and let me know how it turns out!

Crispy & Juicy: Homemade Nuggets Better Than Chick-fil-A

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Make crispy, juicy nuggets that taste even better than Chick-fil-A’s with this easy homemade recipe!

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Course Appetizer, Kids Meal, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

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Chicken Marination:

• 1.5 lbs chicken
• 1 cup pickled water

Dry mixture:

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt or to taste
• 1 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp white pepper

Wet mixture:

• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg

Sauce:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp barbecue sauce preferably a smoky variety
• 1 tsp lemon juice

Instructions

 

Marinate the Chicken

• In a bowl, mix the chicken pieces with pickle juice.
• Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour (this helps with tenderness and flavor).
  
• After marinating, drain the pickle juice.

Prepare the Breading and Egg Wash

• In one bowl, whisk milk and egg together.
• In another bowl, mix flour, powdered sugar, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and baking powder.

Coat the Chicken

• Dip each chicken piece into the milk-egg mixture, then dredge in the flour mixture, ensuring an even coating.
  
• Let the coated nuggets rest for 5 minutes before frying to help the breading stick.
  

Fry the Nuggets

• Heat oil in a deep pan or skillet to 350°F (175°C).
• Fry the nuggets in small batches for 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through.
• Remove and place on a wire rack to drain excess oil.

Serve and Enjoy

• Serve with Chick-fil-A Sauce, honey mustard, or your favorite dipping sauce.

Prepare the Sauce:

• In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, yellow mustard, Dijon mustard, barbecue sauce, and lemon juice until smooth.
• Taste and adjust if needed (add more honey for sweetness, more mustard for tang).
• Add a food color if needed. I used a pinch to get the right color.
• Let it sit in the fridge for 30 minutes to blend flavors (optional but recommended).
  
• Serve with nuggets, fries, or sandwiches!

Air Fryer Method:

• Follow the same marination process by soaking the chicken pieces in pickle juice for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours for maximum tenderness).

Prepare the Coating:

• In one bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg. In another bowl, mix flour, powdered sugar, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and baking powder.

Dredge the Nuggets:

• Drain the marinated chicken. Dip each piece into the dry flour mixture, then into the buttermilk mixture, and back into the dry mixture for extra crispiness.

Preheat the Air Fryer:

• Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and preheat for about 3-5 minutes.

Arrange the Nuggets:

• Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the coated nuggets in a single layer, ensuring they don’t overlap. Lightly spray the tops of the nuggets with cooking spray or brush with a little oil for extra crispiness.

Cook the Nuggets:

• Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. The nuggets should be golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• Serve & Enjoy!
• Let the nuggets rest for a couple of minutes, then serve hot with Better Than Chick-fil-A Sauce!

Video

Notes

 

• Marination Matters: Soaking the chicken in pickle juice for at least 30 minutes makes it extra tender and flavorful. For best results, marinate for up to 1 hour but not longer to avoid overpowering the taste.
• Crispy Coating Tip: Let the breaded nuggets rest for 5-10 minutes before frying. This helps the coating stick better and gives a crispier texture.
• Oil Temperature: Keep the oil at 350°F (175°C) for perfect frying. If it’s too hot, the nuggets will brown too fast but stay raw inside. If it’s too cool, they’ll absorb oil and become greasy.
• Serving Size: 1.5 lbs of chicken makes about 6 servings (36-48 nuggets, depending on size).
• Sauce Perfection: For the Chick-fil-A sauce, use a smoky barbecue sauce to get that signature taste. Adding a touch of food coloring helps achieve the exact color. Let the sauce chill for at least 15 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
• Storage & Reheating:
  • Store leftover nuggets in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat in an air fryer (375°F for 3-4 min) or oven (400°F for 5-6 min) to keep them crispy.
  • Sauce stays fresh in the fridge for up to a week in a sealed container.

 

Pro Tips for Air Fryer Nuggets:
Don’t Overcrowd – Cook in batches if necessary to allow proper air circulation.
Lightly Oil for Extra Crispiness – A small amount of oil spray helps achieve a fried-like texture.
Flip Halfway Through – This ensures even cooking and crispiness on both sides.

 

Keyword Chicken Nuggets,, nuggets,

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