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Save time and money by making homemade Chick-Fil-AGrilled Chicken Nuggets! Today’s recipe is a copycat of these fast-foodgrilled chicken nuggetsmade with ingredients you have at home.
Confession time: While I’ve never been a big fan of Chick-fil-A Nuggets, their grilled chicken nuggets changed my mind, especially since it’s my son’s favorite dinner spot. So, I decided to try making a copycat version, and I’m confident you’ll enjoy!
I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, use the Jump to Recipe to head straight there!
Why You Will Love Grilled Chick Fil ANuggets Recipe
- Fast-Food Favorite—Enjoy these tender and juicygrilled nuggetsany time and any day—even on Sundays!
- Easy Recipe– Believe it or not, the iconic flavor of Chick-fil-Agrilled nuggetsis easy to replicate and uses just a fewsimple ingredients.
- Homemade Chick-Fil-A – A healthier, quick and easy homemade version!
Simple Ingredients for Chick Fil A Grilled Nuggets
- Chicken| To serve about four people, you need just one pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces. I use organic chicken.
- Pickle juice: Chick-fil-A’s iconic flavor comes mainly from thedill pickle juicethe chicken is marinated in. Use quality pickle juice to make these nuggets just like thereal deal!
- Milk| The lactic acid in milk helps to break down the proteins in the chicken for extra tender chicken nuggets. I used whole milk, but you can use your favorite kind.
- Oil|Olive oilhelps flavor the nuggets.
- Brown sugar| I used light brown sugar to add a touch of sweetness.
- Seasonings|Garlic powder, smoked paprika (or chili powder),sea saltand black pepper bring out thenatural flavorof the chicken breast.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
This is a great recipe for low-carb and/or gluten-free eating! I can snack on bunches, and it’s easily doubled or tripled to feed a crowd.
How to Make Chick-fil-AGrilled ChickenNuggetsRecipe
Step 1 | Marinate the chicken nuggets
Just like Chick-fil-A, we’ll marinate our chicken pieces in pickle juice, milk, brown sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and chili powder in a mixing bowl or a gallon ziplock bag. Mix until the marinade ingredients are well combined.
Add thechicken breast meatto the marinade and toss to coat the pieces evenly. Allow the chicken to marinate forat least 30 minutes. Leave the bag or covered bowl in the fridge overnight for longer marinating and extra flavor!
Step 2 | Preheat the grill
Then, preheat the grill orgrill panto medium-high heat. If you want those grill marks, make sure it’s nice and hot! Transfer the chicken pieces topaper towelsto drain the excess liquid, discarding the extra pickle brine marinade.
Fresh Tips
- Cut the chicken nuggets intobite-sized piecessimilar in size to help them cook evenly on the grill.
- Make sure the grill is preheated to the right temperature to get the best results and the perfect grill marks like the real Chick-fil-Agrilled nuggets.
- If you are concerned about it, a grill basket or skewers will help prevent the nuggets from falling through the grates. It also makes flipping the pieces much easier and keeps them from sticking to the grill.
Step 3 | Grill the nuggets
Now, grease the grill grates with a paper towel dipped in olive oil and, using tongs, run over the grill. Then place the chicken on the preheated grill. Cook the chicken nuggets for three to four minutes on each side. When the chicken has excellent grill marks and is cooked to aninternal temperatureof 165° F, it’s finished cooking.
Remove them from the grill and let them rest for just a couple of minutes before serving them fresh with yourfavorite dipping sauce!
Fresh Tips
- This is also an excellent recipe to make on your Blackstone flat-top griddle! You won’t get grill marks, but do you care?
- Closely watch the nuggets to avoid overcooking, and remove them as soon as they are cooked through.
Craving more copycat recipes of your favorite restaurantmenu items? Try this Chick-fil-A Frosted Lemonade,Olive Garden Stuffed Shells, or myPanera Orange Scones – Yum!
Low-Carb Health:This recipe is paired perfectly with aside salad or some low-carb veggiesfor your daily ketodiet.
Variations
- Pan Fried Grilled Chick-fil-A Nuggets – You can also cook the nuggets in agrill panor cast iron skillet over medium-high heat with just a bit of oil. Saute for 7 to 8 minutes in theheated pan, stirring and flipping the nuggets occasionally.
- BBQ Chick-fil-AGrilled Nuggets—Brush the chicken pieces with your favorite BBQ sauce in the last few minutes of grilling for a sticky, caramelized glaze that takes this recipe to the next level.
- KetoGrilled Chicken Nuggets
- For a low-carb version of the popular Chick-fil-A nuggets, replace the brown sugar with a sugar substitute, I like Monk Fruit, and substitute the milk with heavy cream or almond milk.
- Honey MustardGrilled Nuggets – For a different delicious marinade, combine honey, Dijon mustard, and a bit ofapple cider vinegar. Marinate and grill the nuggets until cooked through, then brush them with a little morehoney mustardsauce.
- BuffaloGrilled Chicken Nuggets – After grilling, toss the nuggets in buffalo sauce for a spicy and tangy flavor. Then, serve them with celery sticks and creamy blue cheese dressing.
Air FryerChick-fil-AGrilled Nuggets
I like to use my Ninja Foodi Grill andAir Fryerto make the perfect tender chicken with a golden brown outside.
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After marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes, pat it dry and set theair fryerto 375° F (190° C). Spray the basket with alittle oil, not cooking spray, and add the chicken nuggets in asingle layer. Spray the tops with oil and cook for about8-10 minutes, tossing halfway through the cooking time.
Keep in mind that air fryers cook at different rates, depending on the brand and how new it is. So, adjust the recipe as needed.
Substitutions for Grilled Chicken Nuggets
- Usepowdered sugaror your favorite sugar substitute, if preferred.
- Replace theolive oilwith vegetable oil, avocado oil, or another variety.
- Try this recipe on acharcoal grillfor ajuicy backyard-smoky taste.
- Try using chili powder in place of smoked paprika. Or add ½ teaspoon of onion powder to the recipe too.
Storage Tips
Refrigerate—Cool completely, then place in anairtight containeror a tightly sealed plastic bag and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
How to Freeze– Place the cooled nuggets in asingle layeron abaking sheetand freeze until they are solid. Then, move them to afreezer-safe bagor container storing up to three months.
Reheating– Reheat thegrilled nuggetsin the oven,air fryer, or microwave, or toss them back onto the grill until heated.
Can I freeze raw chicken in brine?
Yes! Freezing actually halts the marinade process, so as you thaw they will brine. Make sure you get all of the air out and freeze for up to 3 months, thaw overnight in fridge and proceed with recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bake these chicken nuggets instead of grilling them?
Sure! Preheat the oven to 400° F (205° C), place the nuggets on a parchment-paper-linedbaking sheet, and bake for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cooked through or golden.
Is there a substitute fordill pickle juicein the marinade?
You can use plain white vinegar or apple cider vinegar instead of dill pickle juice. However, expect the flavor to be different from the original Chick-fil-A taste.
How can I prevent the chicken nuggets from sticking to the grill?
Be sure to oil the grill grates before adding thepieces of chicken, or brush the chicken with some oil.
Calories in Chick Fil A Chicken Nuggets?
My recipe contains 152 calories per serving, but you get a few more than 8 nuggets per serving and calories in Chick-Fil-A chicken nuggets 8 count, is 130 calories.
Chick fil a grilled chicken nuggets nutrition?
According to their website in an 8 count grilled chicken nuggets there are 130 calories, 3 grams of fat, 1 g carbs and 25 g of protein.
Favorite Dipping Sauces for Chick-fil-AGrilled Nuggets
Serve yourfavorite dipping saucewith thegrilled nuggets! Try these delicious homemade sauces:
- Try this Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sauce
- Or try this healthier Paleo Chick-Fil-A Sauce
- My Benihana Yum Yum Sauce would be perfect here!
- Honey Teriyaki Sauce
- Rocky Mountain Barbecue Sauce
- Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe
- Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Watch the chicken nuggets closely as they cook to avoid overcooking– The small size makes them cook quickly!
Best Side Dishes Grilled Chick-fil-A Nuggets
Instead of store-bought frozen fries from yourlocal grocery store, make these homemadeAir FryerSteak Friesor add the nuggets to a light andfresh salad, like thisGreen GoddessCobb Salad, a Paneracopycat recipe or this Mexican Chopped Salad.
ThisSmoked Mac and Cheeseis also delicious with this dish!
Healthy Mexican Chopped Salad with Lime Dressing
This easy Mexican Chopped Salad is the perfect salad to go with Mexican food.
Hearty and healthy with a honey lime dressing and filled with yummy mix-ins!
Read more
Green Goddess Salad with Chicken (Panera Copycat)
Copycat Panera Green Goddess Cobb salad recipe! This Panera Cobb salad is packed with fresh veggies, tender chicken, and a creamy basil dressing, a healthy and delicious option for lunch or dinner.
Read more
Easy Air Fryer Steak Fries Recipe from Scratch
Experience the delicious crispiness of air fryer steak fries – golden wedges with a perfect balance of crunch and tenderness. Elevate your meal or snack time with these irresistible treats.
Read more
Smoked Mac and Cheese
Creamy Smoked Mac and Cheese has a twist on the familiar favorite. Everyone loves this ridiculously good smoked mac and cheese!And guess what, you do not need a smoker to make this cheesy homemade mac and cheese, although I've included smoker directions. Plus you can easily adapt this to be gluten-free, yes, gluten-free smoked mac and cheese!
Read more
More Easy Chicken Recipes
- 3 Ingredient Olive Garden Chicken
- Sous Vide Chicken Breast Recipe
- BBQ Chicken Breast Air Fryer
- Korean Chicken Air Fryer
- Authentic Chicken Fajita Recipe
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Grilled Chicken Nuggets Recipe (Copycat Chick Fil A)
Save time and money by making homemade Chick-Fil-AGrilled Chicken Nuggets! Today's recipe is a copycat of these delicious fast-foodgrilled chicken nuggetswhich you can make with just a handful of ingredients.
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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Marinate Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 152kcal
Author: Kathleen Pope
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breasts boneless, skinless, cut into bitesize pieces
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil to rub on the grill
- ¼ cup dill pickle juice
- 3 tablespoons milk I used whole milk but other % may be used
- 2-3 teaspoon brown sugar I used light brown sugar (powdered sugar may also be used or use a sugar substitute)
- ½ teaspoon kosher Salt
- ½ – 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ – 1 teaspoon smoked paprika Or try chili powder
US Customary – Metric
Instructions
In a mixing bowl or in a gallon ziplock baggie, add together pickle juice (¼ cup), milk (3 TBL), brown sugar (2-3 teaspoon opt), salt (½ tsp), black pepper (½-1 tsp), garlic powder (1 tsp), and smoked paprika (½ – 1 tsp) until well combined.
Add the chicken to the marinade tossing to make sure they are thoroughly coated. Let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes or more (you can leave it refrigerated oernight).
Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Make sure it's nice and hot.
Remove the chicken from the pickle brine marinade and discard and place on paper towels to drain.
Grease the grill grates with olive oil lightly to prevent sticking. Place the coated chicken pieces on the preheated grill. Grill for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are cooked through to 165° F and have a nice grill marks.
Once the chicken nuggets are cooked to perfection, remove them from the grill and let them rest for a couple of minutes before enjoying with your favorite sauce. Serve warm.
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Notes
Tips:
- When cutting the chicken into nugget-sized pieces, try to keep them uniform in size. This ensures they cook evenly on the grill, preventing some pieces from being undercooked while others are overcooked.
- If you don’t have dill pickle juice on hand, you can substitute it with plain white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. However, the flavor may vary slightly from the original recipe.
- Make sure your grill or pan is well preheated, this will ensure you get grill marks and don’t steam your chicken.
- If you’re worried about the chicken pieces falling through the grill grates, consider using a grill basket or threading them onto skewers before grilling. This makes flipping them easier and prevents them from sticking to the grill. This is also a great recipe to make on your Blackstone flattop griddle!
- Keep a close eye on the chicken nuggets while they’re grilling to avoid overcooking. They cook relatively quickly, so it’s best to check them frequently and remove them from the grill as soon as they’re cooked through to keep them juicy and tender.
- While these grilled chicken nuggets are delicious on their own, serving them with a dipping sauce enhances their flavor even more. Consider classic options like chick-fil-a sauce, barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or ranch dressing for dipping.
Alternative cooking methods:
Air Fryer Chick-Fil-A Grilled Nuggets
Proceed with marinating the chicken pieces, patting them dry, and then preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190° C). Spray the air fryer basket with spray oil (not cooking spray it will gum up your air fryer basket). Add the chicken in a single layer and spray the top with oil. Cook for 8-10 minutes, tossing halfway through. *Note that all air fryers heat differently, adjust the recipe accordingly.
Pan Fried Grilled Chick-Fil-A Nuggets
Using a grill pan over medium-high heat or in a cast iron skillet with a little oil, saute or grill chicken nuggets for 7-8 minutes, turning or stirring occasionally.
Can I bake these chicken nuggets instead of grilling them?
If you prefer to bake the chicken nuggets, preheat your oven to 400°F (205° C) and arrange the marinated nuggets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 12-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until cooked through and golden brown.
- Keto Grilled Chicken Nuggets: Replace sugar with a brown sugar substitute (I like Lakanto) and replace milk with heavy cream or almond milk.
Storage:
Refrigeration: After grilling, allow the chicken nuggets to cool completely before storing them. Transfer the nuggets to an airtight container or sealable plastic bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing cooked nuggets: Arrange the cooled nuggets in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
Can I freeze raw chicken nuggets in brine? Yes! Freezing actually halts the marinade process, so as you thaw they will brine. Make sure you get all of the air out and freeze for up to 3 months, thaw overnight in fridge and proceed with recipe.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 152kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 650mg | Potassium: 457mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 177IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg
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