Description
These Almost Chick Fil-A Chicken Nuggets are crispy, tender, and bursting with flavor, perfectly mimicking the fast-food favorite in your own kitchen. Marinated in a milk and egg mixture, coated with a seasoned flour blend, and fried to golden perfection, these nuggets offer a deliciously satisfying treat that’s ideal for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
Coating
- 1 ¼ cups flour
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
Frying
- Peanut oil or canola oil for frying (enough for about 2 inches deep in pot)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together the egg and milk thoroughly to create the marinade base.
- Cut the Chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts and cut them into bite-sized nugget pieces for easy frying and even cooking.
- Marinate: Place the chicken pieces into the milk and egg mixture, cover the bowl, and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Make the Coating: In a resealable plastic bag, combine the flour, powdered sugar, salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder to create the flavorful coating for the nuggets.
- Heat Oil: Pour enough peanut or canola oil into a deep pot to about 2 inches depth and heat it to 375°F (190°C) for frying.
- Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade, add them to the bag with the flour mixture, seal it, and shake well to ensure each piece is evenly coated.
- Fry: Carefully place 6 to 8 nuggets at a time into the hot oil and fry for about 2 minutes on each side, or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove and drain them on paper towels.
- Repeat & Serve: Continue frying the remaining chicken pieces in batches. Serve the crispy nuggets hot with your favorite dipping sauces for a delicious meal.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken for 2 to 4 hours improves tenderness and flavor absorption.
- Using peanut oil adds a subtle nutty flavor and is great for high temperature frying.
- Ensure oil temperature stays at 375°F for perfect crispiness without burning.
- Do not overcrowd the pot while frying to maintain oil temperature and even cooking.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
