As a long-time fan of Chick-fil-A’s delicious chicken nuggets, I’ve always wondered about the secret behind their unique taste and texture. After some research I’m excited to provide an in-depth look at how these famous nuggets are made, from ingredients to cooking methods. Read on to satisfy your curiosity!
An Overview of the Chick-fil-A Chicken Nugget
Chick-fil-A’s bite-sized chicken nuggets have crispy breading on the outside and juicy, tender chicken on the inside. They contain whole cuts of chicken breast meat rather than processed chicken parts. This ensures a higher quality, better tasting product.
The nuggets come in several shapes and sizes like circles, dinosaur shapes, and mini versions. Their kid-friendly shapes and flavors make them a family favorite.
The Main Ingredients
The key components that give Chick-fil-A nuggets their signature taste and texture include:
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Chicken: Made with whole, boneless chicken breasts which provide more flavor and a meatier texture.
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Breading: A seasoned coating of flour, spices, and sometimes cornmeal gives a crispy exterior.
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Oil Chick-fil-A deep fries the nuggets in refined peanut oil for optimal crispness
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Seasonings: A proprietary blend of spices and herbs enhances the chicken’s flavor.
The Bread Coating Process
Chick-fil-A has perfected the art of breading their chicken nuggets for a delicate crunch. Their process includes:
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Milk marinade: The chicken soaks in a milk and egg mixture. This helps the breading adhere.
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Flour dredge: The chicken then gets tossed in a seasoned flour blend, coating each piece.
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Shake off excess: The chicken goes in a sifter to remove excess breading.
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Pressure fry: The nuggets are fried in hot peanut oil under pressure to seal in juices.
Cooking Methods for Ideal Texture
Two key cooking techniques contribute to the uniquely juicy and tender nuggets:
Pressure Frying
Chick-fil-A pressure fries its nuggets in peanut oil. This allows them to cook at a higher temperature to crisp up the exterior while locking in moisture inside. The pressure also speeds up cook time.
Short Cook Time
The nuggets fry for just 2-3 minutes. This short burst of high heat perfectly browns the outside without overcooking the interior.
The Grilled Version
Alongside the classic fried nuggets, Chick-fil-A also offers grilled nuggets as a lighter option. These contain even fewer ingredients:
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Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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A savory marinade with spices and citrus
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High, direct heat grilling
The grilled nuggets cook for just 3-4 minutes per side on a hot grill at 350-400°F. This imparts a smoky flavor while keeping them juicy inside.
Nutrition Information
Chick-fil-A nuggets provide a good source of protein with less fat and carbs than you’d expect:
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140 calories per serving
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25g protein
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6g fat
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1g carbohydrates
The grilled version is even healthier with additional benefits.
Why People Love Them
After learning how they’re made, it’s clear why Chick-fil-A nuggets are so crave-worthy:
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Flavorful – Seasonings and high-quality chicken provide taste
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Juicy – Cooking methods lock in moisture
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Crispy exterior – Bread coating gives great crunch
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Kid-friendly – Fun shapes and flavors appeal to children
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Nutritious – Packed with protein, low in fat and carbs
Next time you bite into these famous nuggets, you can appreciate the care that goes into making them with such a winning recipe. Now that the mystery is solved, I’m excited to try making them at home!
Sheila’s Recipe Snapshot for Chick fil-A Nuggets Recipe
These crispy, golden chicken nuggets taste just like your favorite drive-thru order—only fresher and homemade.
Taste and Texture: Juicy, tender chicken inside with a perfectly seasoned, crunchy coating.
Difficulty: Easy to prep and fry in under 30 minutes with just a few pantry staples!
Hot Tip: Let the chicken rest on a wire rack after brining and after frying to keep the coating crisp and intact.
Swaps: You can swap in boneless chicken thighs, bake or air fry them, or use canola oil if you need a peanut-free version.
Save-Worthy: This is the kind of fun, family-friendly recipe that’s perfect for weeknights, parties, or whenever the Chick-fil-A craving hits—especially on Sundays!
Chick-fil-A just knows how to do chicken right. It’s always fresh, meaty, and perfectly seasoned, making it one of my family’s favorite fast food restaurants!
The only downside? You can’t get Chick-fil-A on Sundays. And honestly, I respect them for sticking to their values and taking a day off. But when those Sunday cravings hit hard — and they do! — what’s a chicken-lovin’ blogger to do? Create a copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets recipe, of course!
This recipe is everything you love about Chick-fil-A nuggets: juicy chicken bites, a crispy golden crust, and that crave-worthy flavor. Plus, we’re making the iconic Chick-fil-A dipping sauce at home too—creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet. Once you try these, you might just start skipping the drive-thru altogether!
More Recipe Success Tips
Don’t skip the pickle juice marinade. This step makes all the difference in flavor and texture. Just 30–60 minutes is enough to infuse the chicken with that classic Chick-fil-A tang.
Use a thermometer for oil temperature. Aim for 350–375°F to ensure a crisp, golden coating. Too cool and the breading will absorb oil; too hot and it may burn before cooking through.
Fry in batches and don’t overcrowd. Crowding the pan lowers the oil temperature and leads to uneven cooking. Give the nuggets space so they fry up evenly and stay crispy.
Use a wire rack instead of paper towels. This keeps the coating crisp and prevents it from steaming off. The extra airflow helps the nuggets stay crunchy.
Choose the right equipment. A deep fryer is easiest and safest, especially for consistent results. If using a skillet, go for one with high sides and monitor the oil carefully to avoid splatters. Make sure the oil is at least 2 inches deep.
Chick-fil-A worker reveals how nuggets are made in viral TikTok video
FAQ
What is Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets made of?
Does Chick-fil-A fry or bake their chicken nuggets?
Bite-sized pieces of boneless chicken breast, seasoned to perfection, freshly breaded and pressure cooked in 100% refined peanut oil. Available with choice of dipping sauce.
Are Chick-fil-A’s nuggets unhealthy?
Chick-fil-A’s nuggets offer a good amount of protein compared to other fast-food chains, making them a more filling option. While their calorie count is comparable to McDonald’s, they have slightly less fat. However, the sodium content is significantly higher than other food chains.
What is the secret to Chick-fil-A chicken?
But don’t just take it from me — this is the (not-so-secret) secret that’s fueled the love affair so many people have with Chick-fil-A. It’s the pickle brine! Well before being fried to perfection, the chicken breasts are brined with pickle juice for super-juicy, tender meat.
What is in Chick-fil-A Nuggets?
Chick-fil-A ® Nuggets. This item contains dairy, wheat, egg . View all Chick-fil-A® allergen information here . Bite-sized pieces of tender all breast meat chicken, seasoned to perfection, hand-breaded and pressure cooked in 100% refined peanut oil.
How do you make Chick fil A chicken nuggets at home?
Skip the Line and make chick-fil-A’s famous chicken nuggets at home for a fraction of the price. Made with real chicken breasts, a blend of spices, and the secret ingredient, pill juice. In a large bowl, combine chicken, 1/2 cup milk and pickle juice.
What are Chick-fil-A grilled Nuggets?
Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets look like bite-sized versions of the chicken breast found in the fast food restaurant’s popular Grilled Chicken Sandwich, hailed as superior among its competitors by Redditors, who say things like “Chick-fil-A grilled chicken sandwiches are, by far, the best.”
What makes Chick-fil-A gilled nuggets so popular?
Chick-fil-A also says the secret to the Gilled Nuggets’ popularity is good ingredients, starting with the chicken. Crew members in each restaurant make the nuggets from “real, fresh chicken breast” every day. The secret to the tender meat and delicious flavor also lies in Chick-fil-A’s proprietary marinade of lemon, sea salt, garlic, and herbs.
How are chicken nuggets made?
Chicken nuggets are made by grinding and mechanically separating whole chickens. This process results in a pink mass that is full of bacteria.
Are Chick-fil-A Nuggets copycat?
Many copycat Chick-fil-A nugget recipes do a good job replicating them, but the franchise’s secret is simple: Focus on the ingredients and use a foolproof process. The Chick-fil-A website describes a three-step method for making chicken that the company has used since its earliest days. It’s the same basic recipe for nuggets and sandwiches.