Description
Enjoy a crispy, flavorful copycat version of Chick-Fil-A’s famous chicken nuggets made with tender marinated chicken thighs, seasoned coating, and perfectly fried to golden brown perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup dill pickle juice
Batter and Coating
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
For Frying
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: In a bowl, submerge the bite-sized chicken thigh pieces in dill pickle juice. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes to infuse flavor and tenderize the meat.
- Prepare Milk Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole milk and large egg until well combined. This mixture helps the coating stick to the chicken.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, powdered sugar, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. This seasoned flour mixture creates the flavorful crispy crust.
- Coat the Chicken: Drain the chicken pieces from the pickle juice. Dip each piece first into the milk and egg mixture, then dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture to coat. For an extra crunchy exterior, repeat the dipping and coating process once more.
- Heat Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a skillet or Dutch oven, heating it to approximately 350°F (175°C) for optimal frying temperature.
- Fry Nuggets: Carefully fry the coated chicken nuggets in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook each nugget for 3 to 4 minutes per side until they develop a golden brown crust and are cooked through internally.
- Drain and Serve: Remove the fried nuggets using a slotted spoon and transfer them to a wire rack to drain excess oil and cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken in pickle juice tenderizes the meat and adds a signature tangy flavor typical of Chick-Fil-A nuggets.
- Using chicken thighs instead of breasts yields juicier and more flavorful nuggets.
- Ensure oil temperature stays steady at 350°F for crispy, non-greasy results.
- Repeating the coating process creates a thicker and crunchier crust.
- Drain on a wire rack instead of paper towels to keep the coating crisp.
