Description
This Chicken Nuggets Recipe features tender chunks of chicken breast marinated in dill pickle juice and milk, then coated in a flavorful mixture of flour, breadcrumbs, and spices before being crispy fried to a golden perfection. A delicious homemade alternative to fast-food nuggets with a unique tangy twist.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken and Marinade
- 3 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into chunks
- 1 cup dill pickle juice
- ½ cup whole milk
For the Breading
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
For Frying
- Peanut oil, for frying (at least 1 inch deep)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken chunks into a large zip-close bag and pour in the dill pickle juice and whole milk. Seal the bag and gently massage it to coat the chicken pieces thoroughly. Let the chicken marinate for 20 to 30 minutes to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Heat the Oil: While the chicken marinates, heat at least 1 inch of peanut oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pan to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, maintaining consistent temperature for frying.
- Prepare the Breading Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, plain breadcrumbs, powdered sugar, garlic powder, paprika, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to distribute the spices evenly.
- Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken chunks from the marinade and discard the liquid. Dip each piece into the dry breadcrumb mixture, ensuring every piece is fully coated for a crisp crust.
- Fry the Nuggets: Carefully place the coated chicken pieces into the hot oil in small batches to avoid lowering the oil temperature. Fry each batch for 3 to 5 minutes or until the nuggets are deep golden brown and cooked through.
- Drain and Cool: Use a slotted spoon to remove the nuggets and place them on a wire cooling rack to drain excess oil and cool slightly. Repeat the frying process with remaining chicken pieces. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Peanut oil provides the iconic flavor similar to Chick-fil-A nuggets, but canola or vegetable oil can be used as alternatives.
- Ensure your oil temperature stays around 350 degrees Fahrenheit for optimum crispiness without greasiness.
- Cooking in small batches prevents oil temperature drop and ensures even frying.
- Using dill pickle juice in the marinade tenderizes the chicken and adds a unique tangy flavor.
- Wire rack draining helps keep the nuggets crispy; avoid paper towels which can make them soggy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 4 nuggets)
- Calories: 226 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
