Description
Crispy, golden Chick-fil-A grilled chicken nuggets bring restaurant-quality comfort to home kitchens with minimal effort. Simple marinade and precise grilling techniques ensure juicy, flavorful bites you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) dill pickle juice
Dry Coating Ingredients:
- 1 cup (120 grams) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare chicken breasts by cutting into bite-sized nugget shapes, ensuring uniform pieces for consistent cooking.
- Submerge chicken pieces in dill pickle juice, creating a tenderizing marinade that infuses subtle tangy flavors. Refrigerate for 30-45 minutes.
- Create seasoning blend by combining flour, powdered sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper in a shallow dish.
- Whisk milk and egg together in a separate bowl until thoroughly integrated, forming a smooth binding liquid.
- Remove marinated chicken from refrigerator and carefully pat dry with paper towels to enhance coating adhesion.
- Dunk each chicken piece into milk-egg mixture, allowing excess liquid to drip off, then thoroughly coat in seasoned flour mixture.
- Preheat skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat, reaching approximately 375°F for optimal browning.
- Carefully place coated nuggets into hot skillet, cooking in batches to prevent overcrowding and ensure even browning.
- Fry nuggets for 4-5 minutes per side, rotating to achieve golden-brown exterior and reaching internal temperature of 165°F.
- Transfer cooked nuggets to paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil, garnish with optional chopped parsley.
- Serve immediately with preferred dipping sauces, such as honey mustard or barbecue sauce.
Notes
- Pickle Juice Tip: Use high-quality dill pickle juice for maximum flavor infusion and chicken tenderizing effect.
- Temperature Control: Allow chicken to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking to ensure even heat distribution and prevent tough meat.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend to make the recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals.
- Spice Level Management: Adjust cayenne pepper quantity based on personal heat tolerance, starting with a pinch and gradually increasing for desired spiciness.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg