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!
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.
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!
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
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).
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!
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!
Copycat Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets
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
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!
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.
Rhonda Neuendorf says
Could you air fry or would that make chicken dry out?
alliecarte says
You can! It’s really good