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Homemade Chick-fil-A Nuggets with Honey BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipe

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3.9 from 31 reviews

This recipe recreates the beloved Chick-fil-A Nuggets, featuring tender, juicy chicken breast pieces marinated in a tangy milk and vinegar mixture, coated in a flavorful seasoned breading, and fried to golden perfection. Served with a honey mustard BBQ dipping sauce, these homemade nuggets satisfy cravings with their crispy exterior and succulent interior.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Chicken and Marinade

  • 2 large (1.25 pounds) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small, even 1/2-inch cubes
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 large egg

Breading

  • 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon celery salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder

Cooking Oil

  • 3 cups peanut oil

Sauce

  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons full-fat mayonnaise (Best Foods preferred)
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons yellow mustard
  • 1 large lemon (3/4 teaspoon lemon juice)
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon honey BBQ sauce (such as Sweet Baby Ray’s)

Instructions

  1. Prep Chicken: Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into small, even 1/2-inch cubes to ensure they cook uniformly.
  2. Marinate Chicken: In a bowl, whisk together the whole milk and white vinegar and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to create a buttermilk substitute. Add the egg and 1 teaspoon of sea salt, whisking until smooth. Add the chicken cubes to this marinade, toss to coat thoroughly, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to 8 hours, to allow flavors to penetrate and tenderize the meat.
  3. Make Breading: In a separate large shallow bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, celery salt, white pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and mustard powder. Remove 3 tablespoons of the chicken marinade liquid and drizzle it over the flour mixture. Use your fingers to mix until small clumps form—this creates the signature craggy texture coating.
  4. Heat Oil: Pour 3 cups of peanut oil into a large, heavy-bottomed pot and heat it over medium-high heat to 350°F (177°C), using a thermometer to monitor the temperature carefully to ensure even frying. Prepare a plate lined with paper towels to drain the cooked nuggets.
  5. Bread Chicken: Using tongs, transfer the chicken pieces from the marinade into the flour mixture, spreading them out to avoid clumping. Gently toss to coat every piece, then press the flour mixture onto the chicken with your fingers to create the crunchy, craggy coating. Shake off any excess flour mixture.
  6. Fry Chicken: Carefully lower the breaded chicken pieces into the hot peanut oil in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan (about 8-10 pieces per batch in a single layer). Fry the nuggets for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring halfway through to separate the pieces, until they are golden brown and fully cooked through.
  7. Drain: Use a metal strainer or slotted spoon to remove the fried nuggets and place them on the paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Lightly sprinkle with salt if desired. Serve immediately to retain the crispiness.
  8. Make Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the full-fat mayonnaise, yellow mustard, honey, and honey BBQ sauce. Add 3/4 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice from the lemon, then season with a pinch of salt (about 1/4 teaspoon) and pepper (about 1/8 teaspoon). Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve alongside the nuggets for dipping.

Notes

  • Maintaining the oil temperature at 350°F is crucial for crispy nuggets without absorbing excess oil.
  • Marinating chicken for at least an hour tenderizes and enhances flavor, but do not exceed 8 hours to avoid overly soft texture.
  • Pressing the breading onto the chicken ensures a crunchy, signature craggy texture.
  • Use peanut oil for frying to get authentic flavor and high smoke point.
  • Serve the nuggets immediately after frying for best texture and taste.
  • Homemade honey mustard BBQ sauce can be adjusted for sweetness or tang by tweaking honey and lemon juice amounts.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/homemade-chick-fil-a-nuggets-with-honey-bbq-dipping-sauce-recipe/