Description
This Chicken Nuggets recipe delivers crispy, golden-brown bites with a flavorful pickle juice marinade and a seasoned breadcrumb coating, perfect for a delicious homemade main course.
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
Frying
- Peanut oil, for frying (at least 1″ 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 squish it to ensure the chicken is well coated. Let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes to infuse flavor and tenderize.
- Heat the oil: While the chicken marinates, heat at least 1 inch of peanut oil in a deep fryer or heavy skillet to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, preparing it for frying.
- Prepare the breading: In a large bowl, thoroughly mix together the all-purpose flour, plain breadcrumbs, powdered sugar, garlic powder, paprika, baking powder, salt, and black pepper to create the seasoned coating.
- Coat the chicken: Drain and discard the marinade from the chicken pieces. Dip each piece into the breadcrumb mixture, making sure it is completely coated with the seasoned mixture.
- Fry the nuggets: Carefully place the coated chicken pieces in the hot oil in small batches to avoid lowering the temperature of the oil. Fry for 3 to 5 minutes until the nuggets turn a deep golden brown and are cooked through.
- Drain and serve: Use a slotted spoon to remove the nuggets and place them on a wire cooling rack to drain excess oil and cool slightly. Continue frying remaining chicken pieces. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Use peanut oil for authentic Chick-fil-A style flavor, but canola or vegetable oil are suitable alternatives for frying.
- Maintaining the oil temperature at 350°F is crucial to achieving crispy nuggets without greasy texture.
- Marinating chicken in pickle juice tenderizes and adds a unique tangy flavor.
- Frying in small batches prevents the oil temperature from dropping and ensures even cooking.
