Air fryer Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets
Air Fryer Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets are the ultimate way to get your chicken fix at home. Pickle-soaked chicken that is battered and air-fried to a golden crispy texture. Eating out has reached all-time high prices, and being able to make your all-time favorite take-out items at home is priceless.
Chick Fil A nuggets are a weakness! The Chick-fil-A sauce is magical as well. I had to find a great copycat recipe for Chick Fil A nugget to feed my obsession!
Air Fryer Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Nuggets
These air fryer copycat Chick-Fil-A nuggets are air-fried so they are a bit healthier than the original. You don’t have the excess oil but you still can enjoy the classic chicken nugget flavor.
What You Will Love About Air Fryer Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Nuggets
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Tangy Flavor: Marinating the chicken in dill pickle juice infuses it with a tangy and slightly sour flavor that perfectly complements the savory chicken.
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Tender and Juicy: The acidity in the pickle juice helps tenderize the chicken, resulting in nuggets that are incredibly moist and juicy on the inside.
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Signature Chick-fil-A Taste: The use of dill pickle juice in the marinade replicates the distinctive flavor profile of Chick-fil-A’s signature chicken nuggets, allowing you to enjoy an authentic Chick-fil-A experience at home.
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Enhanced Seasoning: The pickle juice marinade not only adds flavor but also helps the seasoning adhere to the chicken better, ensuring each bite is packed with deliciousness.
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Healthier Option: Air frying the marinated chicken nuggets instead of deep-frying them reduces the amount of oil used, making them a healthier alternative to traditional fried nuggets.
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Convenience: While marinating the chicken overnight requires some advance preparation, the actual cooking process in the air fryer is quick and convenient, allowing you to enjoy homemade Chick-fil-A-style nuggets with minimal effort.
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Family Favorite: These Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets with pickle juice marinade are sure to be a hit with the whole family. They’re perfect for weeknight dinners, parties, or anytime you’re craving a delicious and satisfying snack.
What Is the Best Cut Of Chicken To Make Chicken Nuggets
I recommend using boneless chicken breast or tenderloin. The key is to cut your chicken up in a similar size.
The reason for that is if your chicken is all different sizes you will find you won’t get an even cook on your homemade nuggets.
What Pickle Juice to Marinade Chicken In
You want to use a dill pickle. It will give you that classic flavor that sets Chick Fil A apart from the rest. You will find that dill juice is best.
I wouldn’t recommend using sweet pickle juice as it could change the flavor.
Will Chicken Taste Like Pickles
The longer you soak your chicken the more pickle flavor you will taste in the chicken.
Overall you will find the chicken has a mild pickle flavor. If you want it to be a bit stronger add 20-30 minutes longer to marinating chicken.
How To Make Air Fryer Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets
- Add the dill pickle juice and chicken to a gallon size Ziploc bag. Seal and place in the fridge overnight.
- Add milk and egg to a small bowl. Whisk together.
- Drain chicken from pickle juice and add to milk and egg mixture. Coat well.
- Add flour, confectioner’s sugar, salt, pepper, and paprika to a Ziploc bag. Add chicken to bag and shake well to coat.
- Pre-heat Air Fryer to 375 for 2 minutes. Dip chicken into melted butter and spread evenly into Air Fryer. Cook for 5 minutes. I added this step to brown the chicken more. You can leave this step out and not lose any delicious flavor.
- Add the chicken pieces to your air fryer.
- After 5 minutes, turn the chicken over and cook an additional 5 minutes, or until browned and cooked all the way through.
What To Dip Chick Fil A Nuggets In
- Make homemade Chick Fil A Sauce
- Bbq sauce
- Ranch
- Honey mustard
- Etc
You can have your nuggets plain or opt to pair them with one or more dips! Sometimes I mix ranch and bbq sauce together when I dip!
Best Sides to Pair With Chick Fil A Nugget
- French Fries
- Tater tots
- Coleslaw
- Macaroni and cheese
- Pasta salad
- Cucumber and onions
- Baked beans
- Chips
As you can see the sky’s the limit as to what you serve with your nuggets.
Can I Double This Recipe
Yes, you sure can! Make as many nuggets as you would like. Just batch cook your chicken nuggets. The key to air frying is to ensure that the hot air can circulate around the chicken.
If your chicken touches the pieces that touch will be undercooked possibly and soggy. So don’t overstuff the air fryer.
To keep your nuggets warm you can turn the oven to 200-225 degrees and place cooked nuggets in a baking dish to stay warm. That way when you serve up your nuggets they are all nice and warm.
Tips & Tricks For Making Air Fryer Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Nuggets
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Choose the Right Pickle Juice: Opt for dill pickle juice from a jar of high-quality pickles for the best flavor. Make sure the juice covers the chicken pieces completely for even marination.
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Marinate Overnight: For maximum flavor infusion, marinate the chicken pieces in pickle juice overnight in the refrigerator. This allows the acidity of the pickle juice to tenderize the chicken and impart its tangy flavor.
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Use Boneless, Skinless Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breast or chicken tenderloins work best for making nuggets. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces of uniform size to ensure even cooking.
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Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer before cooking the nuggets. This helps ensure that the nuggets start cooking immediately once they’re placed in the air fryer, resulting in a crispier exterior.
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Arrange in a Single Layer: Arrange the marinated nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they’re not touching each other. This allows for proper air circulation and even cooking.
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Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Cook the nuggets in batches if necessary to prevent overcrowding the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can result in uneven cooking and soggy nuggets.
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Flip Halfway Through: Flip the nuggets halfway through the cooking time to ensure they cook evenly on all sides and achieve a golden brown crust.
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Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the nuggets reaches 165°F (74°C) before serving.
How to Reheat Leftover Nuggets
Eat your nuggets cold or reheat them in the microwave or oven. Or toss it in the air fryer for a quick reheat. These chicken nuggets are best when served fresh and warm. But they don’t taste too bad reheated.
So if you are a fan of the nuggets like me, make this copycat Chick Fil A recipe today!
Air fryer Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets
Air Fryer Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets are the ultimate way to get your chicken fix at home. Pickle soaked chicken nuggets that are battered and air fried to golden crispy texture.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of chicken breast, cut into 1-2” cubes
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup dill pickle juice
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons confectioner’s sugar
- 2 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2teaspoons black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2-gallon size Ziploc bags
Instructions
- Add the dill pickle juice and chicken to a gallon size Ziploc bag. Seal and place in the fridge overnight.
- Add milk and egg to a small bowl. Whisk together.
- Drain chicken from pickle juice and add to milk and egg mixture. Coat well.
- Add flour, confectioner’s sugar, salt, pepper, and paprika to a Ziploc bag. Add chicken to bag and shake well to coat.
- Pre-heat Air Fryer to 375 for 2 minutes. Dip chicken into melted butter and spread evenly into Air Fryer. Cook for 5 minutes. I added this step to brown the chicken more. You can leave this step out and not lose any delicious flavor.
- Add the chicken pieces to your air fryer.
- After 5 minutes, turn the chicken over and cook an additional 5 minutes, or until browned and cooked all the way through.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 371Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 114mgSodium: 2184mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 1gSugar: 13gProtein: 29g
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
Good morning.
Can the Chicken Breasts ALSO be Air Fired? Husband is limited on fat frying. thanks Melissa.
Absolutely, just keep an thermometer close by to check the internal temp so you know when it’s done. 🙂