Chick-fil-a Like Chicken Nuggets

I know that this blog is supposed to be about whole grain baking but I’m sorry. I just have to do this. This is for all the people out there who can’t get Chick-fil-a. Whether you live abroad or just too far from the closest location.


I’m not going to say these are exactly the same, just because I haven’t had them in years and can’t really judge, but they’re close enough. Especially if you live in a country where they don’t really do fried chicken!

I was supposed to post whole grain cinnamon raisin bagels today, but… I’m in more of a fried chicken mood. Sorry again. These couldn’t be any more unhealthy. You could make them for a party and then that way you can’t eat them all! That’s what I do. I’ve even been trying to lure people over for breakfast so that I can make donuts. Real donuts. I love the whole grain baked donuts I make, but I want to try making fried donuts.

Anyway, here’s some chicken.


Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups (355ml) milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3 pounds (1360 grams) skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces (about 6 breasts)
2 1/2 cups (250 grams) flour
1/4 cup (32 grams) powdered sugar
4 teaspoons salt
3 teaspoons black pepper
Canola or peanut oil for frying

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine the eggs and milk. Add the chicken pieces and stir to make sure all the pieces are covered. Cover and marinate in the fridge for 2 – 4 hours. Or you can leave it overnight.

2. Combine the flour, powdered sugar, salt and pepper in a gallon sized Ziploc and shake it until combined.

3. In a deep fryer or frying pan, heat the oil until it reaches 375°F / 190°C. You can deep fry the chicken, but I like to add just enough oil so that the chicken is halfway covered. It’s less wasteful and the chicken gets done.

4. Put half of the marinated chicken in the flour mixture. Coat the chicken and carefully place the chicken in the oil. Don’t overcrowd the pan! If you do, it just won’t end well. It only took a few minutes for my nuggets (about 3 minutes total), but it depends on the size. Turn halfway (so for me, that was 1 1/2 minutes). Drain on a plate or baking sheet lined with paper towels. Cover the rest of the chicken in the flour mix and fry. I think they’re best if eaten immediately. These were so yummy I served mine with nothing. Not with the roll or red stuff or cabbage stuff you see. That was all for show. :)

Source: Seen on Pennies on a Platter, who adapted it from My Name is Snickerdoodle
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19 comments on “Chick-fil-a Like Chicken Nuggets” — Add one!

  • Tom says
    February 20, 2016 @ 4:33 am

    Have you tried these with whole wheat or other flour. Like oat or almond

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Tom
      February 20, 2016 @ 9:12 pm

      White whole wheat would be best! Using oat flour or almond flour would result in a totally different outcome. I’d definitely go with white whole wheat. :)

      Reply
  • Os Carvalhinhos says
    March 23, 2013 @ 10:10 am

    You had me at Chick-fil-A! I am a fellow Texan, living in Portugal for the last 7+ years and Chick-fil-A is one of those things that's MUST have when we go home, along with enchiladas!! I once flew thru Philly on a convoluted flight itinerary and saw a woman in the airport holding a CfA bag and drink and I pretty much ambushed her! Turns out there was a CfA IN the Philly airport! Made my crazy flight schedule totally worth it! :-) when my best friend visited 2 years ago she brought us each a sandwich in her carry-on! Needless to say that even though I am not a fryer, we will DEFINITELY be giving these a whirl!!

    Reply
  • Anonymous says
    December 7, 2012 @ 4:49 am

    I tried this tonight and didn't come out like chick fil a nuggets. I wonder if I need more of something else ?

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Anonymous
      December 8, 2012 @ 11:25 am

      I admit that I haven't had Chick-fil-a in years but these are just like I remember them. :) If you followed the recipe (and included the powdered sugar!) then I really don't know what you could do differently. I hope that they were still good!

      Reply
  • Erin says
    January 30, 2012 @ 8:49 pm

    Jedijen – Thanks a bunch for the feedback! I'm so happy that you all enjoyed them. I know how it feels to miss the food you love so I'm thrilled to have helped someone out with that. And I think it's awesome that your husband made fried chicken. It must be amazing to have a kitchen competent man around. :)

    Thanks again for the comment!

    Reply
  • jedijen says
    January 30, 2012 @ 1:15 am

    Chick-fil-a is my favorite fast food restaurant. When I moved to NY, the closest one to me is 6 hours. I came across this recipe and instantly drooled over it. My husband made it tonight and oh my god. This recipe is a godsend. Really. I haven't had Chick-fil-a in almost a year and the first bite was instant ecstasy. Thank you so much for this recipe. We will be making it again in the very near future.

    Reply
  • Erin says
    January 27, 2012 @ 8:12 pm

    Sara – It's okay! And oh no. I completely forgot to send Sonia the recipe so I'll send it to you both on the weekend. Thanks for the reminder!

    Reply
  • Sara @ Simply Whole Kitchen says
    January 27, 2012 @ 4:54 pm

    Ugh, sorry…I should have read through the other comments first! I'd love to see that fried chicken recipe too!

    Reply
  • Sara @ Simply Whole Kitchen says
    January 27, 2012 @ 4:53 pm

    Do you think the powdered sugar in essential in this recipe? I'm a low/no sugar gal and would love to make these but wonder if they won't be as good without it?! What do you think?

    Reply
  • Erin says
    January 20, 2012 @ 8:40 pm

    Yeah, but pan frying is still frying. At least it is in my book. :)

    I'll send you the recipe tomorrow! It'd be super if you could healthify it, although I think it'd be difficult. If anyone could manage it though, it'd be you!

    Reply
  • Sonia The Healthy Foodie says
    January 20, 2012 @ 8:30 pm

    Erin, I don't fry stuff, sorry to disappoint. But finding ways around frying is fairly easy. You can pan fry or oven bake…

    Finding ways to replace sugar isn't always as easy, unfortunately. ;o)

    I'd be interested in seeing your fried chicken recipe, maybe I could turn it into some great (un)fried chicken! :D

    Reply
  • Erin says
    January 19, 2012 @ 8:05 pm

    You fry stuff, Sonia?! That's awesome. :)

    And I think you're right. The sugar is what makes it special. If you want a really fantastic fried chicken recipe without sugar (my favorite, that I even like more than this one!) I'll send you mine. It's still got breading and is fried, so it's not the least bit healthy, but at least it's sugar-free.

    Reply
  • Sonia The Healthy Foodie says
    January 19, 2012 @ 3:33 am

    Wow, these look good. I guess if I was to leave the sugar out, it would change the flavor and texture way too much, wouldn't it?

    And then they wouldn't be Chick-fil-a like anymore, now, would they?

    Still, worth a try, I think! ;)

    Reply
  • Erin says
    January 17, 2012 @ 10:43 pm

    Barbara – Thanks! It is quite fun, but when isn't frying things fun? :) I hope you can try them sometime.

    Reply
  • Barbara Bakes says
    January 17, 2012 @ 7:28 pm

    We ate Chick Fil-A way to much. It would be fun to try your recipe at home. They look great.

    Reply
  • Erin says
    January 15, 2012 @ 3:22 pm

    Becca – Thanks! Chicken nuggets and chicken fingers are the only types of meat I order in restaurants (I know that makes me sound like I'm 4 but that's okay). So yeah, I think chicken nuggets are the best too. :)

    Caroline – Haha. Only on Sundays? That's kind of an awful craving to have. I hope if you ever make them that you like them! I haven't had Chick-fil-a for years, but the people in the commets said that they're similar. So I hope that's good enough for you. :)

    Reply
  • Caroline @ chocolate and carrots says
    January 15, 2012 @ 3:15 pm

    Loveeee! It's only on Sundays that I'm ever craving Chick-fil-a and this is a perfect remedy! :-D

    Reply
  • Becca says
    January 15, 2012 @ 1:41 am

    I love chicken nuggets. They are like the best finger food ever I think. And yours looks really good too, it makes me want some right now, but alas, there is no chicken in the house at the moment.

    Reply

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