Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets Copycat

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. + marinating Cook: 5 min./batch

Makes

8 servings

Updated: Dec. 16, 2023
I developed this recipe to mimic Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets. I knew I had a winner the first time I made them because the whole family fought over who got the last one! —Jeni Pittard, Statham, Georgia
Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets Copycat Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon dill pickle juice
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 large egg white
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • DIPPING SAUCE:
  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  • 3 tablespoons barbecue sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • Oil for frying

Directions

  1. Place chicken and pickle juice in a bowl; toss to coat. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the next 8 ingredients to form a thick batter. Add batter to the chicken mixture and toss to coat.
  2. For dipping sauce, combine mustard, barbecue sauce and honey; set aside.
  3. In a deep skillet or electric skillet, heat 1 inch oil to 375°. Fry chicken pieces, a few at a time, until browned and juices run clear, 1-2 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels. Serve with sauce.
Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets Tips

What kind of oil should you use to fry copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets?

When deep-frying chicken nuggets, you want to use an oil with a high smoking point. Some of the best oils for frying include peanut, canola, sunflower, safflower, corn or vegetable oil. Do not use olive oil, butter or shortening.

How can you tell when the copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets are done frying?

These chicken nuggets are done frying when they are golden brown, and the juices are clear when you cut into a piece. If you’re unsure of the cooking time, test a single piece first. This will help you gauge the cooking time for the rest of the copycat chicken nuggets.

How else can you cook copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets?

Because of the batter, we don’t recommend cooking copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets any other way. However, we have other chicken nugget recipes that don't need to be fried. Heat up the oven for baked chicken nuggets or the air fryer for these sweet potato-crusted chicken nuggets.

What can you serve with copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets?

Serve your copycat nuggets the traditional way: with Chick-fil-A sauce! To make, combine barbecue sauce, Dijon mustard and honey to taste. Sometimes, we like to add in a little mayo as well to make the texture of your copycat Chick-fil-A sauce more similar to what you'd get at the restaurant. To finish your meal, whip together fresh-squeezed lemonade, crispy waffle fries or any of these other copycat Chick-fil-A recipes.

How do you store copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets?

Like other chicken nugget recipes, these copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets last for up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Follow our tips on how to reheat fried chicken when you're ready for more!

—Julie Schnittka, Taste of Home Senior Editor and Christina Herbst, Taste of Home Social Media Editor

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 307 calories, 16g fat (2g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 514mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 24g protein.