Description
A homemade version of the popular Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets featuring tender marinated chicken breast pieces, coated in a seasoned flour mixture, and fried to crispy perfection. This recipe captures the signature flavor and texture of Chick-fil-A nuggets, perfect for a satisfying and delicious meal at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 boneless chicken breasts, cut into 2-inch cubes
- 1 cup pickle juice
Coating and Frying
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp powdered sugar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup peanut oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the pickle juice and the cubed chicken breasts. Allow the chicken to marinate for 1 hour to infuse flavor and tenderize the meat. After marinating, drain the chicken well to remove excess liquid.
- Heat Oil: Place a large skillet on medium-high heat and pour in the peanut oil. Heat the oil to the right temperature for frying by testing with a small pinch of flour; if it sizzles immediately, the oil is ready.
- Prepare Wet Mixture: In another large bowl, whisk together the whole milk and egg until fully combined to create the wet batter for the chicken.
- Coat Chicken in Wet Mixture: Add the drained chicken pieces to the milk and egg mixture and gently toss to ensure all pieces are evenly coated.
- Mix Dry Coating: In a separate bowl, mix the flour, powdered sugar, salt, and pepper. This mixture provides the crispy, flavorful coating.
- Coat Chicken in Flour Mixture: Transfer the wet-coated chicken pieces into the flour mixture. Toss thoroughly until each piece is fully coated with the dry ingredients.
- Fry Chicken Nuggets: Carefully add a few pieces of the coated chicken to the hot oil in the skillet. Fry for 2-3 minutes, turning as needed, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Drain Excess Oil: Remove the cooked chicken nuggets from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
- Serve: Serve the crispy homemade chicken nuggets warm with your favorite dipping sauce, such as a homemade Chick-fil-A sauce, for a delicious meal.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken in pickle juice enhances flavor and tenderness.
- Use peanut oil for authentic flavor and a high smoke point.
- Ensure the oil is hot enough to make the coating crispy but not burnt.
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet to maintain oil temperature and even cooking.
- Adjust salt and pepper seasoning according to your taste preference.
