CopycatSpices
Copycat Chick-fil-A Spicy Nuggets
Make Chick-fil-A's spicy chicken nuggets at home — juicy brined chicken, crispy seasoned breading with cayenne kick, perfect for dipping.
chick-fil-a · chicken · nuggets · spicy
🕑Prep20 min
🍳Cook10 min
⏱Total30 min
🍽Serves4
⭐DifficultyMedium
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 tbsp dill pickle juice
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (Tabasco or similar)
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1.5 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- Peanut oil for frying
- Dill pickle chips for serving
Instructions
- 1.Cut chicken breasts into 1.5-inch nugget-sized pieces.
- 2.In a bowl, whisk buttermilk, pickle juice, and hot sauce. Add chicken, cover, and refrigerate at least 2 hours (up to 8 hours).
- 3.Whisk flour, powdered sugar, paprika, cayenne, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper in a shallow bowl.
- 4.Heat 2 inches of peanut oil in a heavy pot to 350°F.
- 5.Remove chicken from brine, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece in seasoned flour, pressing firmly to coat.
- 6.For extra crunch, dip back into buttermilk brine then flour again (double-dredge).
- 7.Fry nuggets in batches (don't crowd) for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and internal temp reaches 165°F.
- 8.Drain on paper towels. Serve hot with pickles and spicy mayo.
These Copycat Chick-fil-A Spicy Nuggets deliver the signature crunch and heat of the original. The buttermilk-pickle brine tenderizes the meat while the cayenne-pepper flour coating gives that unmistakable spicy kick.
Brining Is Key
The buttermilk brine with pickle juice and hot sauce is what makes these nuggets juicy and flavorful. Let them soak for at least 2 hours — overnight is even better for deeper flavor penetration.
For the crispiest nuggets, double-dredge: flour → brine → flour. This creates a craggier, crunchier crust that holds up better in the oil. Shake off excess flour before each fry.
Spicy Dipping Sauce
Mix 1/4 cup mayonnaise with 2 tablespoons Sriracha and a squeeze of lemon for a quick spicy dip that complements the heat. Serve with waffle fries and pickles for the full CFA experience.
