Description
This recipe recreates the beloved Chick-fil-A grilled nuggets at home, featuring tender chicken pieces marinated in dill pickle juice and milk, seasoned with a blend of spices, then pan-cooked to juicy perfection. It’s a healthier grilled alternative that’s perfect for dipping and snacking.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 pound chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/3 cup dill pickle juice
- 1/4 cup milk
Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons powdered sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Cooking
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to a bowl and pour in the milk and dill pickle juice. Stir to combine and push the chicken down so that it is mostly submerged in the marinade. Cover and let it stand for 45 minutes to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Dry the Chicken: Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade and place them on a paper towel-lined tray. Pat the tops with additional paper towels to thoroughly dry the surface, which helps with seasoning adherence and browning.
- Season the Chicken: Toss the dried chicken pieces with powdered sugar, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika until well coated on all sides, ensuring even flavor distribution.
- Cook the Nuggets: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping occasionally to brown evenly, until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF.
- Serve: Remove the cooked nuggets from the skillet and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces for a delicious copycat Chick-fil-A experience.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165ºF for safety.
- Patting the chicken dry before seasoning helps achieve better browning and flavor adherence.
- If preferred, you can use an air fryer to cook the nuggets at 400ºF for about 8-10 minutes, shaking halfway through.
- The powdered sugar in the seasoning adds a subtle sweetness that mimics the classic Chick-fil-A flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Chick-fil-A grilled nuggets, chicken nuggets, grilled chicken, copycat recipe, homemade chicken nuggets, quick chicken bites
