Description
This classic Chicken Nuggets recipe features tender chicken breast pieces marinated in dill pickle juice and milk for extra juiciness, coated in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture, and fried to golden perfection. Perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy inside, these nuggets make an irresistible main dish or snack inspired by iconic fast food flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into chunks
- 1 cup dill pickle juice
- ½ cup whole milk
Breading
- 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
Frying Oil
- Peanut oil, for frying (at least 1 inch deep)
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: Place chicken chunks in a large zip-close bag and add dill pickle juice and whole milk. Seal and massage the bag to coat all chicken pieces evenly. Let marinate for 30 minutes to enhance flavor and tenderness.
- Heat Oil: While chicken marinates, heat peanut oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350 degrees Fahrenheit with at least 1 inch of oil depth to ensure even frying.
- Prepare Breading Mixture: In a large bowl, thoroughly combine flour, breadcrumbs, powdered sugar, garlic powder, paprika, baking powder, salt, and black pepper until well mixed for a flavorful coating.
- Coat Chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, discarding the liquid. Dip each piece into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to coat thoroughly on all sides for maximum crispiness.
- Fry Nuggets: Fry chicken in small batches to maintain oil temperature. Cook for 5 minutes or until deep golden brown and cooked through, then transfer nuggets to a wire cooling rack to drain and cool slightly.
- Serve: Continue frying remaining batches in the same manner. Serve nuggets warm with your favorite dipping sauces and enjoy!
Notes
- Peanut oil imparts the iconic Chick-fil-A flavor, but canola or vegetable oil can be substituted if needed.
- Ensure oil temperature is maintained at 350°F for crispy, not greasy, nuggets.
- Marinating the chicken longer than 30 minutes can yield even juicier results but avoid exceeding 1 hour.
- Use a wire rack instead of paper towels after frying to keep nuggets crispy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- 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
