Description
Crispy and flavorful homemade chicken nuggets marinated in dill pickle juice and milk, coated in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture, and fried to golden perfection. This recipe offers a delicious twist on classic nuggets with a perfect balance of tangy and savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
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
- Peanut oil, for frying (at least 1 inch 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 smoosh it around to coat all the chicken pieces evenly. Let the chicken marinate for 20 to 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Heat the oil: While the chicken marinates, heat at least 1 inch of peanut oil in a deep fryer or large heavy-bottomed pot to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 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.
- Coat the chicken: Drain and discard the marinade from the chicken pieces. Dip each piece of chicken into the breadcrumb mixture, coating it completely and evenly. Ensure each piece is well-covered for maximum crispiness.
- Fry the nuggets: Carefully add the coated chicken pieces in small batches to the hot oil, avoiding overcrowding. Fry each batch for 3 to 5 minutes until the chicken turns a deep golden brown and is cooked through.
- Drain and rest: Remove the nuggets with a slotted spoon and place them on a wire rack to drain excess oil and cool slightly. Repeat with remaining chicken until all pieces are cooked.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve your crispy chicken nuggets warm with your favorite dipping sauces or sides.
Notes
- Peanut oil provides the iconic Chick-fil-A flavor, but you can substitute with canola or vegetable oil if needed.
- Do not overcrowd the fryer; cooking in small batches maintains the oil temperature and ensures crispy nuggets.
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the breading mixture.
- Use a thermometer to ensure oil temperature stays steady at 350°F for best frying results.
- Marinating the chicken in pickle juice tenderizes the meat and infuses a subtle tangy flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 226 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
