Description
This crispy and flavorful Chicken Nuggets recipe features tender chunks of chicken breast marinated in pickle juice and milk, then coated in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture and fried to a perfect golden brown. Enjoy a delicious homemade version reminiscent of your favorite fast food nuggets.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 3 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into chunks
- 1 cup dill pickle juice
- ½ cup whole milk
Breading Mixture
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
For Frying
- Peanut oil, for frying (at least 1 inch deep)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken chunks in a large zip-close bag and add the dill pickle juice and whole milk. Seal the bag and gently massage to coat all pieces. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Heat the Oil: While marinating, heat at least 1 inch of peanut oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring it stays steady for proper frying.
- Prepare the Breading: In a large bowl, combine the all purpose flour, plain breadcrumbs, powdered sugar, garlic powder, paprika, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to evenly distribute all spices and ingredients.
- Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the liquid. Dip each piece thoroughly into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure full coating.
- Fry the Nuggets: Carefully place the breaded chicken pieces in the hot oil in small batches to avoid lowering the oil temperature. Fry each batch for 5 minutes or until nuggets achieve a deep golden brown color and are cooked through.
- Drain and Serve: Remove the nuggets with a slotted spoon and place them on a wire cooling rack to drain excess oil and cool slightly. Repeat frying for all batches. Serve warm and enjoy your crispy homemade chicken nuggets!
Notes
- Using peanut oil gives the nuggets the iconic Chick-fil-A flavor, but canola or vegetable oil can be substituted if needed.
- Make sure to fry the chicken in small batches so the oil temperature remains consistent and the nuggets cook evenly.
- For extra crispiness, double-dip the chicken in the breading mixture before frying.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit for food safety.
- Leftover nuggets can be reheated in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes to restore crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 4-5 nuggets)
- Calories: 226 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
