Save time and money by making homemade Chick-Fil-A Grilled Chicken Nuggets! Today’s recipe is a copycat of these fast-food grilled chicken nuggets made with ingredients you have at home.
Confession time: While I’ve never been a big fan of Chick-fil-A Nuggets, their grilled chicken nuggets changed my mind, especially since it’s my son’s favorite dinner spot. So, I decided to try making a copycat version, and I’m confident you’ll enjoy!
The copycat Chick-fil-A grilled nuggets recipe you need! Thousands have saved this easy, flavorful recipe to recreate their favorite grilled nuggets at home.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Shay said, “Loooooooooove it.” A real reader review!
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Why You’ll Love these Copycat Chick Fil A Grilled Nuggets
- Fast-Food Favorite —Enjoy these tender and juicy grilled nuggets any time and any day—even on Sundays!
- Easy Recipe – Believe it or not, the iconic flavor of Chick-fil-A grilled nuggets is easy to replicate and uses just a few simple ingredients.
- Homemade Chick-Fil-A – A healthier, quick and easy homemade version!
Grilled Chicken Nuggets Ingredients
- Chicken | To serve about four people, you need just one pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces. I use organic chicken.
- Pickle juice: Chick-fil-A’s iconic flavor comes mainly from the dill pickle juice the chicken is marinated in. Use quality pickle juice to make these nuggets just like the real deal!
- Milk | The lactic acid in milk helps to break down the proteins in the chicken for extra tender chicken nuggets. I used whole milk, but you can use your favorite kind.
- Oil | Olive oil helps flavor the nuggets.
- Brown sugar | I used light brown sugar to add a touch of sweetness.
- Seasonings | Garlic powder, smoked paprika (or chili powder), sea salt and black pepper bring out the natural flavor of the chicken breast.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
This is a great recipe for low-carb and/or gluten-free eating! I can snack on bunches, and it’s easily doubled or tripled to feed a crowd.
How to Make Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Step 1 | Marinate the chicken nuggets
Just like Chick-fil-A, we’ll marinate our chicken pieces in pickle juice, milk, brown sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and chili powder in a mixing bowl or a gallon ziplock bag. Mix until the marinade ingredients are well combined.
Add the chicken breast meat to the marinade and toss to coat the pieces evenly. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes. Leave the bag or covered bowl in the fridge overnight for longer marinating and extra flavor!
Step 2 | Preheat the grill
Then, preheat the grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. If you want those grill marks, make sure it’s nice and hot! Transfer the chicken pieces to paper towels to drain the excess liquid, discarding the extra pickle brine marinade.
Step 3 | Grill the nuggets
Now, grease the grill grates with a paper towel dipped in olive oil and, using tongs, run over the grill. Then place the chicken on the preheated grill. Cook the chicken nuggets for three to four minutes on each side. When the chicken has excellent grill marks and is cooked to an internal temperature of 165° F, it’s finished cooking.
Remove them from the grill and let them rest for just a couple of minutes before serving them fresh with your favorite dipping sauce!
Chick-Fil-A Grilled Nuggets Recipe Tips
- Cut the chicken nuggets into bite-sized pieces similar in size to help them cook evenly on the grill.
- Make sure the grill is preheated to the right temperature to get the best results and the perfect grill marks like the real Chick-fil-A grilled nuggets.
- If you are concerned about it, a grill basket or skewers will help prevent the nuggets from falling through the grates. It also makes flipping the pieces much easier and keeps them from sticking to the grill.
- This is also an excellent recipe to make on your Blackstone flat-top griddle! You won’t get grill marks, but do you care?
- Closely watch the nuggets to avoid overcooking, and remove them as soon as they are cooked through.
Craving more copycat recipes of your favorite restaurant menu items? Try this Chick-fil-A Frosted Lemonade, Olive Garden Stuffed Shells, or my Panera Orange Scones – Yum!
Low-Carb Health: This recipe is paired perfectly with a side salad or some low-carb veggies for your daily keto diet.
Variations
- Pan Fried Grilled Chick-fil-A Nuggets – You can also cook the nuggets in a grill pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat with just a bit of oil. Saute for 7 to 8 minutes in the heated pan, stirring and flipping the nuggets occasionally.
- BBQ Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets—Brush the chicken pieces with your favorite BBQ sauce in the last few minutes of grilling for a sticky, caramelized glaze that takes this recipe to the next level.
- Keto Grilled Chicken Nuggets
- For a low-carb version of the popular Chick-fil-A nuggets, replace the brown sugar with a sugar substitute, I like Monk Fruit, and substitute the milk with heavy cream or almond milk.
- Honey Mustard Grilled Nuggets – For a different delicious marinade, combine honey, Dijon mustard, and a bit of apple cider vinegar. Marinate and grill the nuggets until cooked through, then brush them with a little more honey mustard sauce.
- Buffalo Grilled Chicken Nuggets – After grilling, toss the nuggets in buffalo sauce for a spicy and tangy flavor. Then, serve them with celery sticks and creamy blue cheese dressing.
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Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets
I like to use my Ninja Foodi Grill and Air Fryer to make the perfect tender chicken with a golden brown outside.
After marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes, pat it dry and set the air fryer to 375° F (190° C). Spray the basket with a little oil, not cooking spray, and add the chicken nuggets in a single layer. Spray the tops with oil and cook for about 8-10 minutes, tossing halfway through the cooking time.
Keep in mind that air fryers cook at different rates, depending on the brand and how new it is. So, adjust the recipe as needed.
Substitutions for Grilled Chicken Nuggets
- Use powdered sugar or your favorite sugar substitute, if preferred.
- Replace the olive oil with vegetable oil, avocado oil, or another variety.
- Try this recipe on a charcoal grill for a juicy backyard-smoky taste.
- Try using chili powder in place of smoked paprika. Or add ½ teaspoon of onion powder to the recipe too.
Storage Tips
Refrigerate—Cool completely, then place in an airtight container or a tightly sealed plastic bag and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
How to Freeze – Place the cooled nuggets in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until they are solid. Then, move them to a freezer-safe bag or container storing up to three months.
Reheating – Reheat the grilled nuggets in the oven, air fryer, or microwave, or toss them back onto the grill until heated.
Can I freeze raw chicken in brine?
Yes! Freezing actually halts the marinade process, so as you thaw they will brine. Make sure you get all of the air out and freeze for up to 3 months, thaw overnight in fridge and proceed with recipe.
Chick Fil A Grilled Nuggets FAQs
Favorite Dipping Sauces for Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets
Serve your favorite dipping sauce with the grilled nuggets! Try these delicious homemade sauces:
- Try this Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sauce
- Or try this healthier Paleo Chick-Fil-A Sauce
- My Benihana Yum Yum Sauce would be perfect here!
- Honey Teriyaki Sauce
- Rocky Mountain Barbecue Sauce
- Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe
- Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Watch the chicken nuggets closely as they cook to avoid overcooking– The small size makes them cook quickly!
Best Side Dishes Grilled Chick-fil-A Nuggets
Instead of store-bought frozen fries from your local grocery store, make these homemade Air Fryer Steak Fries or add the nuggets to a light and fresh salad, like this Green Goddess Cobb Salad, a Panera copycat recipe or this Mexican Chopped Salad.
This Smoked Mac and Cheese is also delicious with this dish!
Healthy Mexican Chopped Salad with Lime Dressing
This easy Mexican Chopped Salad is the perfect salad to go with Mexican food.
Hearty and healthy with a honey lime dressing and filled with yummy mix-ins!
Green Goddess Salad with Chicken (Panera Copycat)
Copycat Panera Green Goddess Cobb salad recipe! This Panera Cobb salad is packed with fresh veggies, tender chicken, and a creamy basil dressing, a healthy and delicious option for lunch or dinner.
Easy Air Fryer Steak Fries Recipe from Scratch
Experience the delicious crispiness of air fryer steak fries – golden wedges with a perfect balance of crunch and tenderness. Elevate your meal or snack time with these irresistible treats.
Smoked Mac and Cheese
Creamy Smoked Mac and Cheese has a twist on the familiar favorite. Everyone loves this ridiculously good smoked mac and cheese! And guess what, you do not need a smoker to make this cheesy homemade mac and cheese, although I've included smoker directions. Plus you can easily adapt this to be gluten-free, yes, gluten-free smoked mac and cheese!
More Easy Chicken Recipes
- 3 Ingredient Olive Garden Chicken
- Sous Vide Chicken Breast Recipe
- BBQ Chicken Breast Air Fryer
- Korean Chicken Air Fryer
- Authentic Chicken Fajita Recipe
I hope you loved this Grilled Chick-fil-A Nuggets recipe — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest? And be sure to comment and rate below!
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Grilled Chicken Nuggets (Chick Fil A Copycat)
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Print Pin Save RateIngredients
- 1 pound chicken breasts boneless, skinless, cut into bitesize pieces
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil to rub on the grill
- ¼ cup dill pickle juice
- 3 tablespoons milk I used whole milk but other % may be used
- 2-3 teaspoon brown sugar I used light brown sugar (powdered sugar may also be used or use a sugar substitute)
- ½ teaspoon kosher Salt
- ½ – 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ – 1 teaspoon smoked paprika Or try chili powder
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl or in a gallon ziplock baggie, add together pickle juice (¼ cup), milk (3 TBL), brown sugar (2-3 teaspoon opt), salt (½ tsp), black pepper (½-1 tsp), garlic powder (1 tsp), and smoked paprika (½ – 1 tsp) until well combined.
- Add the chicken to the marinade tossing to make sure they are thoroughly coated. Let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes or more (you can leave it refrigerated oernight).
- Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Make sure it's nice and hot.
- Remove the chicken from the pickle brine marinade and discard and place on paper towels to drain.
- Grease the grill grates with olive oil lightly to prevent sticking. Place the coated chicken pieces on the preheated grill. Grill for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are cooked through to 165° F and have a nice grill marks.
- Once the chicken nuggets are cooked to perfection, remove them from the grill and let them rest for a couple of minutes before enjoying with your favorite sauce. Serve warm.
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Notes
- When cutting the chicken into nugget-sized pieces, try to keep them uniform in size. This ensures they cook evenly on the grill, preventing some pieces from being undercooked while others are overcooked.
- If you don’t have dill pickle juice on hand, you can substitute it with plain white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. However, the flavor may vary slightly from the original recipe.
- Make sure your grill or pan is well preheated, this will ensure you get grill marks and don’t steam your chicken.
- If you’re worried about the chicken pieces falling through the grill grates, consider using a grill basket or threading them onto skewers before grilling. This makes flipping them easier and prevents them from sticking to the grill. This is also a great recipe to make on your Blackstone flattop griddle!
- Keep a close eye on the chicken nuggets while they’re grilling to avoid overcooking. They cook relatively quickly, so it’s best to check them frequently and remove them from the grill as soon as they’re cooked through to keep them juicy and tender.
- While these grilled chicken nuggets are delicious on their own, serving them with a dipping sauce enhances their flavor even more. Consider classic options like chick-fil-a sauce, barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or ranch dressing for dipping.
Air Fryer Chick-Fil-A Grilled Nuggets
Proceed with marinating the chicken pieces, patting them dry, and then preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190° C). Spray the air fryer basket with spray oil (not cooking spray it will gum up your air fryer basket). Add the chicken in a single layer and spray the top with oil. Cook for 8-10 minutes, tossing halfway through. *Note that all air fryers heat differently, adjust the recipe accordingly. Pan Fried Grilled Chick-Fil-A Nuggets
Using a grill pan over medium-high heat or in a cast iron skillet with a little oil, saute or grill chicken nuggets for 7-8 minutes, turning or stirring occasionally. Can I bake these chicken nuggets instead of grilling them?
If you prefer to bake the chicken nuggets, preheat your oven to 400°F (205° C) and arrange the marinated nuggets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 12-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until cooked through and golden brown.
- Keto Grilled Chicken Nuggets: Replace sugar with a brown sugar substitute (I like Lakanto) and replace milk with heavy cream or almond milk.
Freezing cooked nuggets: Arrange the cooled nuggets in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Can I freeze raw chicken nuggets in brine? Yes! Freezing actually halts the marinade process, so as you thaw they will brine. Make sure you get all of the air out and freeze for up to 3 months, thaw overnight in fridge and proceed with recipe.
Nutrition
Nicole Welch
This was EXCELLENT. We’ll see if we get sick of it in time, but I’m inclined to NEVER cook chicken any other way again! Thanks for the fantastic recipe!
Awe, Nicole thank you so very much!! You made my day!
T
This isn’t accurate. They do not use pickle juice for grilled anymore. That stopped about 10 years ago.
Thanks for that update T! I personally still think it’s delish with it.
Shay
Loooooooooove it.
Thank you so much Shay!!