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Home » Recipes » Copycat

September 25, 2020 Air Fryer

Copycat Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets

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The only recipe you need for the best copycat Chick-fil-A grilled chicken nuggets that are the compete dupe to the restaurant ones! I have been LIVING off Chick-fil-A grilled nuggets so I thought I would just make my own! They have the perfect Chick-fil-A taste and pairing them with my copycat sauce makes them even better! Now you can enjoy everything about the drive-thru at home!

The only recipe you need for the best copycat chick-fil-a grilled chicken nuggets that are the compete dupe to the restaurant ones!

Did You Know?

Did you know that Chick-fil-A actually brines their chicken in pickle juice. That is what we are going to do for our Copycat Chick fil A grilled nuggets! I get it, I am not the biggest pickle fan either; however, this step is essential. It does not have an overly pickle flavor, just really a hint, and only if you are really looking for it.

I, also, get this question a ton: where do you get pickle juice? Well, from a jar of dill pickles!! Just pour some out from your favorite jar of pickles and you have your pickle juice.

Sauce It Up!

Need a sauce for this? Try my copycat Chick-fil-A sauce, you know, the original stuff. Or, try my copycat Polynesian sauce! Only 1 points for 2 tablespoons.


Copycat Chick-fil-A Sauce
makes about 5 tablespoons of sauce
Check out this recipe
Copycat Chick-fil-A Polynesian Sauce
COPYCAT CHICK-FIL-A POLYNESIAN SAUCE. Tastes like the real deal but better since it is not as thick and oily as the classic. I did a comparison and even tried it with some real chickfila and it really held up!
Check out this recipe
Copycat Chick-fil-A Polynesian Sauce

If you prefer the original fried version, try my original Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets recipe. They are not fried; however, air fried. They taste the same and are healthier!

Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets
Check out this recipe

What You Need for Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets

Did you know that Chick-fil-A actually brines their chicken in pickle juice. That is what we are going to do! I get it, I am not the biggest pickle fan either; however, this step is essential. It does not have an overly pickle flavor, just really a hint, and only if you are really looking for it.

  • Chicken tenderloins
  • Pickle juice
  • Milk
  • Seasonings
ingredients
Substitutions and Suggestions

I use chicken tenderloins as they are already thin; therefore, less cutting. However, you can use any cut of chicken, you might just need to do some more cutting.

Did you know that Chick-fil-A actually brines their chicken in pickle juice. That is what we are going to do for our Copycat Chick fil A grilled nuggets! I get it, I am not the biggest pickle fan either; however, this step is essential. It does not have an overly pickle flavor, just really a hint, and only if you are really looking for it.

I get this question a ton: where do you get pickle juice? Well, from a jar of dill pickles!! Just pour some out from your favorite jar of pickles and you have your pickle juice.

Now, this is a hot topic as well... milk. Personally, I use plain unsweetened almond milk for just about everything. However, you can use another type of milk. I love almond milk because it is light and lasts longer in the fridge. However, I know people do not prefer it or have allergies; therefore, pick your favorite milk. The specific milk does not matter too much.

More the seasonings, use what you like. I keep it simple for these copycat nuggets; however, I really think Chick-fil-A needs a spicy grilled nugget. Try some ground red pepper in these too or marinate the chicken in some hot sauce.

How to Make Grilled Nuggets

Cut each chicken tenderloin up into bite-sized pieces, I do about 1 inch by 1 inch. In a large bowl, combine pickle juice and milk. Add cut up chicken, cover and allow to marinate in fridge for at least 30 minutes or up to all day (8 hours).

marinating the nuggets

Once ready, strain chicken pieces from the marinate and pat dry, slightly, with a paper towel.

Get your grill ready and heated. Add chicken to the grill and sprinkle with the salt, garlic powder and pepper. Grill chicken pieces on both sides until thoroughly cooked. (Please note that grilling times vary widely)

cooking the chicken

This recipe is also great in the oven (at 450 degrees for about 10 minutes), in the air fryer (at 400 degrees for about 8 minutes) or on the stove top!


Copycat Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets

The only recipe you need for the best copycat Chick-fil-A grilled chicken nuggets that are the compete dupe to the restaurant ones!

The only recipe you need for the best copycat chick-fil-a grilled chicken nuggets that are the compete dupe to the restaurant ones!

Copycat Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets

I have been LIVING off Chick-fil-A grilled nuggets so I thought I would just make my own! They have the perfect Chick-fil-A taste and pairing them with my copycat sauce makes them even better! Now you can enjoy everything about the drive-thru at home!
4.20 from 55 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American, Copycat
Servings 2 servings
Calories 131 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 8 ounces chicken tenderloins about 3 pieces
  • ½ cup dill pickle juice from a jar of pickles
  • ½ cup plain, unsweetened almond milk
  • â…› teaspoon salt
  • â…› teaspoon black pepper
  • â…› teaspoon garlic powder
  • â…› teaspoon onion powder
  • â…› teaspoon confectioners sugar replacement

Instructions

  • Cut each chicken tenderloin up into bite-sized pieces, I do about 1 inch by 1 inch. In a large bowl, combine pickle juice and milk. Add cut up chicken, cover and allow to marinate in fridge for at least 30 minutes or up to all day (8 hours).
  • Once ready, strain chicken pieces from the marinate and pat dry, slightly, with a paper towel.
  • Get your grill ready and heated. Add chicken to the grill and sprinkle with the salt, garlic powder and pepper. Grill chicken pieces on both sides until thoroughly cooked. (Please note that grilling times vary widely)
  • This recipe is also great in the oven (at 450 degrees for about 10 minutes), in the air fryer (at 400 degrees for about 8 minutes) or on the stove top!

Nutrition

Serving: 8 piecesCalories: 131kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 24gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 73mgPotassium: 424mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 35IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Chick-fil-A
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American, Copycat
Tried this recipe?Mention @Allie.Carte.Dishes or tag #alliecartedishes!

G Hughes also makes some great copycat Chick-fil-A sauces that you can get on Amazon. Their Polynesian one is my favorite. For the non-copycat ones, I live off their sweet Thai chili!

Protein Lemonade
Need a little summer-time pick me up? Grab just two ingredients and blend them together with some ice to make a copycat frosted lemonade but with added protein! The best little treat to start your day bright!
Check out this recipe
All you need are three ingredients to make this protein lemonade drink, just a premier protein shake and lemonade, without any protein powder.



Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets
Check out this recipe
Copycat Chick-fil-A Polynesian Sauce
COPYCAT CHICK-FIL-A POLYNESIAN SAUCE. Tastes like the real deal but better since it is not as thick and oily as the classic. I did a comparison and even tried it with some real chickfila and it really held up!
Check out this recipe
Copycat Chick-fil-A Polynesian Sauce
Copycat Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Spicy and regular version coming right up!! What type of person are you? Are you into the spicy Chick-fil-A sandwich or not? Of course I recreated it, because copycat Chick-fil-A is just what I do! No need to wait in the drive-thru for an hour or crave it on a Sunday! I got you covered. 
Check out this recipe
Copycat Chick-fil-A Sandwich
buns not included
Check out this recipe
Copycat Chick-fil-A Sauce
makes about 5 tablespoons of sauce
Check out this recipe
Copycat Cane's Sauce
This is how to make the copycat version of the famous raising cane’s chicken tender dipping sauce
Check out this recipe
This is how to make the copycat version of the famous raising cane’s chicken tender dipping sauce
Copycat McGriddle
This is packed with protein, including a chicken patty and protein pancake. Yet, has all the delicious flavors and textures of the original.
Check out this recipe
Copycat Healthy Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme
Check out this recipe

How many WW points is this now?! It is basically just the chicken so I just track that. If you have chicken free, this is zero points. If not, just track 4 ounces uncooked chicken tenderloins.

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Categories: Air Fryer Tags: air fryer, chickfila, grill, oven, stovetop

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Comments

  1. Rhonda Neuendorf says

    August 22, 2021 at 8:35 am

    Could you air fry or would that make chicken dry out?

    Reply
    • alliecarte says

      August 22, 2021 at 8:36 am

      You can! It’s really good

      Reply

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Hey, I'm Allie! I am a 20-something-year-old, born and raised in Florida. Hello fellow foodie friend and welcome to Allie Carte Dishes! You are going to LOVE it here. I create all my own delicious recipes for everyone to enjoy. I love to reinvent classic dishes into more everyday-friendly meals for you to enjoy.

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