Description
This homemade Chicken Nuggets recipe features tender pieces of boneless skinless chicken breast marinated in dill pickle juice and milk, then coated in a flavorful seasoned breadcrumb mixture and fried to a crispy golden brown. Perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, these nuggets are an irresistible copycat of a classic favorite.
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
For Frying
- Peanut oil (for frying, at least 1 inch deep)
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: Place the chicken chunks into a large zip-close bag and pour in the dill pickle juice and whole milk. Seal the bag and gently massage to coat the chicken evenly. Let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Prepare Oil: While the chicken marinates, heat peanut oil in a deep fryer or a heavy deep skillet to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, filling the pan with at least 1 inch of oil for proper frying depth.
- Make Breading Mixture: In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, plain breadcrumbs, powdered sugar, garlic powder, paprika, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Coat Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade and drain well, discarding the marinade. Dip each piece of chicken thoroughly into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to coat completely on all sides.
- Fry Nuggets: Carefully add coated chicken pieces to the hot oil in small batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan which would lower the oil temperature. Fry each batch for 5 minutes until they turn a deep golden brown and are cooked through.
- Drain and Rest: Remove the fried nuggets with a slotted spoon and place them on a wire cooling rack or paper towels to drain excess oil and cool slightly. Repeat with remaining chicken pieces.
- Serve: Serve the chicken nuggets warm with your favorite dipping sauces and enjoy a delicious homemade treat.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken in dill pickle juice adds a tangy flavor and helps tenderize the meat.
- Be sure to maintain the oil temperature at 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure crispy, non-greasy nuggets.
- Fry in small batches to prevent the oil temperature from dropping for best results.
- You can substitute peanut oil with vegetable or canola oil if preferred.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives.
- Pair with a classic Chick-fil-A sauce or honey mustard for an authentic taste experience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 226 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 886 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 74 mg
