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    Home » Recipes » Chicken

    Copycat Chik-Fil-A Nuggets (Air Fryer or Baked)

    Published: May 8, 2022 · Modified: Jan 31, 2025 by Eileen Murphy Kelly

    Jump to Recipe

    These Copycat Chick fil A Nuggets are so easy to make, and can be made in the air fryer or baked! You only need a few simple ingredients to make these nuggets that taste just like the real thing. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce for a perfect snack or meal.

    Chick Fil A nuggets on a plate that have been baked.

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    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Equipment
    • Instructions
    • Storage
    • Expert Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Variations
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Similar recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

    • These air fryer Chick-fil A chicken nuggets recipe is so easy to make and tastes just like the real thing.
    • The chicken can be made in the air fryer or baked, depending on your preferences.
    • You only need a few simple ingredients to make these delicious nuggets, making them perfect for a busy week.
    • The whole family will love these chicken nuggets.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients to make air fryer or baked chick fil a nuggets.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    • dill pickle juice
    • boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed into nuggets
    • confectioners sugar, the secret ingredient to making these so yummy.
    • eggs
    • whole milk or milk of choice
    • salt
    • black pepper
    • paprika
    • all-purpose flour
    • non-stick cooking oil spray

    Equipment

    • Cosori 5.8 Quart Air Fryer
    • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
    • Whisk
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups

    Instructions

    This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.

    Steps to make Chick Fil a nuggets in the air fryer.
    1. Place cubed chicken into gallon size bag and pour in pickle juice. Shake, seal bag and place it in refrigerator to brine 30-45 minutes.
    2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk egg and milk until completely combined.
    3. In a separate medium-size bowl, whisk powdered sugar, flour, salt, pepper, and paprika.
    4. Once chicken has completed the pickle brine, drain nuggets and place in flour mixture. Then place into egg mixture. Then place back into flour mixture.
    5. Place the battered nuggets in air fryer basket and spray with cooking oil.
    6. Cook at 370°F for 8-10 minutes, stirring and respraying halfway through.
    7. Let nuggets cook for 5 minutes, they will be golden brown and internal temperature will be 165°F before eating.

    Oven-Baked Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Spray a large baking tray with non-stick cooking spray, set aside.
    2. Follow steps 1-4 in the air fryer instructions.
    3. Place the battered nuggets on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, turn nuggets at 12 minutes. Completely baked chicken will have an internal temperature of 165°F.
    Air fryer chick fil a nuggets on a plate.

    Storage

    You can store these baked Chick-Fil-A Nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    You can also freeze them for up to 2 months as long as they have been fully cooked and properly stored. Simply reheat before serving.

    Oven Reheating: Preheat oven to 375°F. Place frozen nuggets on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking oil. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until heated through.

    Microwave Reheating: Place frozen nuggets in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate. Heat on high power for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.

    Expert Tips

    Expert Tip: Be careful to not allow the chicken to stay in the pickle brine for too long. Leave it in no more than 45 minutes tops.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do you heat up Chick-fil-A nuggets in an air fryer?

    Place nuggets in the air fryer basket and spray with cooking oil. Cook at 370°F for 3-5 minutes, stirring and respraying halfway through. Let nuggets cook for an additional minute or two until heated through.

    How long are Chick-fil-A nuggets good for?

    These nuggets will stay fresh for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

    Can you freeze cooked chicken nuggets?

    Yes, you can freeze cooked chicken nuggets for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

    Variations

    • Try using buttermilk in place of the milk for a tangier flavor.
    • Add some hot sauce to the marinade for a spicy kick.
    • Try using panko breadcrumbs in place of the flour for a crunchier nugget.
    • Want these nuggets to taste more like Chick-fil-A? Fry them in peanut oil instead of air frying or baking them.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Our Copycat Chick-fil-A Sauce is tangy and flavorful with just a few simple ingredients anymore to get a great-tasting quick meal when paired with these nuggets.
    • Dip the nuggets into Chipotle Barbecue Sauce for a spicy treat.
    • Homemade Honey Mustard Sauce is another easy recipe to make with the air fryer nuggets.
    • Spicy Baked French Fries are the perfect side dish to pair with this easy family recipe.
    • You are going to love these crispy, crunchy Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings. With just a few simple pantry ingredients and about 20 minutes and you have the most amazing treat.
    • Serve with waffle fries or our tasty chick-fil-a mac and cheese for a quick chicken dinner idea.
    • Next time, check out our copycat recipes and enjoy one of them for dinner.

    Similar recipes

    • If you love easy Chick-fil-a recipes like this one then you will want to try this Air Fryer Chick-fil-a Sandwiches next time.
    • These Copycat Costco Chicken Bakes are another one of my family's favorite copycat recipes.
    • Enjoy all our Chicken recipes here.
    • Want to turn these homemade nuggets into sliders? Use this Homemade Sweet Hawaiian Rolls recipe for a tasty mini sandwich!

    I love any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below.

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    Eileen  xo

    If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

    If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    📖 Recipe

    A glass plate with a red and white checkered napkin beneath it and chicken nuggets on the plate.

    Copycat Chik-Fil-A Nuggets

    Enjoy the most delicious copycat version of Chik-Fil-A Nuggets at home, any time. Use either the air fryer or oven-bake for crispy, crunchy chicken nuggets.
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    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: air fryer copycat chik-fil-a nuggets, baked chik-fil-a nuggets, copycat chik-fil-a nuggets
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    brine time: 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 657kcal
    Author: Eileen Kelly

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

    Equipment Needed:

    • As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
    • Cosori 5.8 Quart Air Fryer
    • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
    • Whisk
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup pickle juice
    • 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts, cubed into nuggets· bite size pieces
    • ¼ cup confectioners sugar
    • 1 large eggs
    • 1 cup whole milk or milk of choice
    • ½ Tablespoon salt
    • ½ Tablespoon black pepper
    • ½ Tablespoon paprika
    • 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
    • non-stick cooking oil spray
    • Chick-fil-A Dipping Sauce optional

    Save the Recipe?

    Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox to view anytime. Plus the bonus of regular recipes to you for inspiration!

    Instructions

    • Place cubed chicken into gallon size bag and pour in pickle juice. Shake, seal bag and place it in refrigerator to brine for 30-45 minutes.
    • In a large mixing bowl, whisk egg and milk until completely combined.
    • In a separate medium-size bowl, whisk powdered sugar, flour, salt, pepper, and paprika.
    • Once chicken has completed the 30-40 minute brining, Drain nuggets and place in flour mixture. Then place into egg/milk mixture. Then place back into flour mixture.
    • Place the battered nuggets in air fryer basket and spray with cooking oil.
    • Cook at 370°F for 8-10 minutes, stirring and respraying halfway through.
    • Let nuggets cook for 5 minutes before eating.

    Oven-Baked Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 425°F. Spray a large baking tray with non-stick cooking spray, set aside.
    • Follow steps 1-4 in the air fryer instructions.
    • Place the battered nuggets on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, turn nuggets at 12 minutes. Completely baked chicken will have an internal temperature of 165°F.

    NOTES

    *makes about 40 nuggets.
    Be sure to check Expert Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help make a delicious recipe.
     
     
    Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
    Don’t forget to shop at the Everyday Eileen store on Amazon

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 657kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 56g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 199mg | Sodium: 1501mg | Potassium: 688mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 790IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @Everyday_Eileen or tag #everydayeileen!

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    Thank you for sharing!

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