If your family loves French fries and chicken nuggets, you're going to want to bookmark this one. These homemade copycat Chick-fil-A nuggets are crispy, juicy, and taste just like the real thing—without the drive-thru wait or the Chick-fil-A nuggets price. It’s the first episode in my Copycat Series, and it might just be the one that disappears fastest off the dinner table.
We’re recreating the iconic Chick-fil-A nuggets meal at home—crunchy outside, tender inside, and that slight tang you can never quite place. Here’s the secret: it’s all about the pickle juice marinade and frying them in peanut oil. Yep, that’s what gives these copycat Chick-fil-A nuggets their unmistakable flavor.
The Secret to Homemade Chick-fil-A Nuggets: Pickle Juice & Peanut Oil
If you’ve ever wondered what makes Chick-fil-A’s chicken taste so good, I have found it comes down to two things:
Peanut oil: Frying in peanut oil brings a subtle, nutty depth and helps crisp the nuggets to golden perfection without feeling greasy.
Pickle juice: Marinating the chicken in pickle juice tenderizes the meat while giving it that signature twang.
Are you looking for a Chick-fil-A sauce recipe, I have you covered. Try this sauce recipe. These homemade nuggets also pair well with some easy air fried French Fries.
Jump to:
- The Secret to Homemade Chick-fil-A Nuggets: Pickle Juice & Peanut Oil
- Ingredients for Homemade Chick-fil-A Nuggets
- How to Make Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets at Home
- Ingredient Swaps for Your Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe
- Chicken Nuggets and Fries: Variations to Try
- Kitchen Tools for Making Chick-fil-A Style Nuggets
- How to Reheat Chick-fil-A Nuggets (Plus Storage Tips)
- Top Tip for the Best Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets
- FAQs: Reheating Chick-fil-A Nuggets, Freezing & More
- Other Recipes You Should Try!
- Side Dish Ideas
Ingredients for Homemade Chick-fil-A Nuggets
No long grocery list here! You probably already have most of this on hand.
- Chicken breasts (cubed)
- Pickle juice (for marinating)
- Eggs
- Milk
- All-purpose flour
- Powdered sugar
- Paprika
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Peanut oil (for frying)
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets at Home
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- Step 1: Cube 3–4 chicken breasts and place them in a bowl with 1 cup of pickle juice. Let the chicken marinate for at least 1 hour (longer if you can—it only gets better!).
- Step 2: Prepare your dredging station: one bowl with whisked eggs and milk, one bowl with seasoned flour.
- Step 3: Dip the marinated chicken into the egg mixture, then dredge in the flour blend. Set aside while your oil heats.
- Step 4: Heat a thin layer of peanut oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry chicken pieces in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 3–4 minutes per side.
Hint: If your nuggets are browning too fast before they cook through, lower the heat slightly to avoid burning the crust.
Ingredient Swaps for Your Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Here are a few ways to change the recipe to accommodate your dietary needs.
- No peanut oil? You can use vegetable oil, but the flavor and texture won’t be quite the same.
- Gluten-free? Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- No pickle juice? Try buttermilk, though you'll miss that signature tang. Just keep in mind it's not 100% the same.
Chicken Nuggets and Fries: Variations to Try
Want to mix things up? Try these fun twists:
- Spicy- Make it spicy with a pinch of cayenne.
- Saucy- Toss the finished nuggets in buffalo or honey BBQ sauce.
- Full Meal- Add a side of chicken nuggets and fries for the full fast food experience at home.
Kitchen Tools for Making Chick-fil-A Style Nuggets
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out.
- Mixing bowls
- Tongs or fork
- Whisk
- Frying pan or cast iron skillet
- Paper towels or cooling rack
How to Reheat Chick-fil-A Nuggets (Plus Storage Tips)
These nuggets reheat beautifully and are even freezable!
Can You Freeze Chick-fil-A Nuggets?
Absolutely. Freeze the cooked nuggets on a tray, then store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Chick-fil-A Nuggets
To reheat, use an oven or air fryer to keep them crispy.
Reheat Chick-fil-A Nuggets in Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 375°F and cook for 5–6 minutes, shaking halfway through. It’s the best way to reheat leftover nuggets.
Top Tip for the Best Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets
Don’t skip the pickle juice marinade—it’s the not-so-secret ingredient that makes these taste just like the real deal.
FAQs: Reheating Chick-fil-A Nuggets, Freezing & More
Yes! Cook and freeze them, then reheat as needed.
In an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days—or freeze for longer storage.
It’s highly recommended for the closest Chick-fil-A flavor, but you can substitute in a pinch.
Other Recipes You Should Try!
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Side Dish Ideas
These are my favorite dishes to serve with these Homemade Chick-fil-A Nuggets:
Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Tongs or fork
- Whisk
- Frying pan or cast iron skillet
- Paper towels or cooling rack
Ingredients
- 3-4 chicken breasts cubed
- 1 cup pickle juice
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- Peanut oil for frying
Instructions
- Marinate cubed chicken in pickle juice for at least 1 hour.
- In a bowl, whisk together eggs and milk.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour, powdered sugar, paprika, salt, garlic powder, and pepper.
- Dip marinated chicken in egg mixture, then coat in flour mix.
- Heat a thin layer of peanut oil in a skillet.
- Fry chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 3–4 minutes per side.
- Drain on paper towels. Serve warm.
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