CopycatSpices
Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets with Pickle Juice Brine
Make Chick-fil-A's famous nuggets at home — pickle juice brined, double-dredged, perfectly crispy. Just like the drive-through.
chick-fil-a · chicken · nuggets · copycat
🕑Prep20 min
🍳Cook10 min
⏱Total30 min
🍽Serves4
⭐DifficultyMedium
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup dill pickle juice
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Peanut oil for frying
Instructions
- 1.Cut chicken into 1-inch nugget pieces.
- 2.In a bowl, combine pickle juice, milk, and egg. Add chicken, cover, and refrigerate at least 1 hour (up to 8 hours for best flavor).
- 3.Whisk flour, powdered sugar, paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper in a shallow bowl.
- 4.Heat 1.5 inches of peanut oil in a heavy pot to 350°F.
- 5.Remove chicken from brine. Dredge each piece in flour mixture, shake off excess, dip back into brine, then dredge again (double-dredge).
- 6.Place coated nuggets on a wire rack for 5 minutes to let coating set.
- 7.Fry in batches (don't crowd) for 3-4 minutes until deep golden brown and internal temp reaches 165°F.
- 8.Drain on paper towels. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Chick-fil-A’s chicken nuggets are famous for their crispy, craggy exterior and juicy interior. The secret? A pickle juice brine that tenderizes the meat and adds that signature tang, plus a double-dredge in seasoned flour with a touch of powdered sugar for the perfect golden crust.
The Pickle Juice Brine
Don’t skip the brine. The acidity in pickle juice breaks down the chicken proteins for tenderness while infusing subtle tangy flavor throughout. Even 1 hour makes a difference; overnight is ideal.
Double-Dredge for Signature Crunch
The double-dredge (flour → brine → flour) creates the craggly, extra-crispy coating that CFA nuggets are known for. Letting them rest on a wire rack before frying helps the coating adhere and prevents it from falling off in the oil.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with Chick-fil-A sauce (mayo + BBQ + honey mustard), waffle fries, and a side of pickles. These nuggets also reheat well — pop them in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes to restore crispiness.
