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Recipes › Meals › Copycat
8 Comments

Chick-Fil-A Grilled Chicken Nuggets Recipe (Copycat)

Kathleen

by Kathleen Pope Mar 11, 2025

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A plate full of grilled nuggets, copycat chick-fil-a recipe, for pinning.
Chick-fil-a grilled nuggets on a platter, for pinning.
Chicken nuggets are on a grill, this is for pinning.
Chick-fil-a grilled chicken nuggets on a tray, for pinning.

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!

Fork holding a grilled chick-fil-a chicken nugget.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure & privacy policy.

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!

I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, use the Jump to Recipe to head straight there!

  • Why You'll Love these Copycat Chick Fil A Grilled Nuggets
  • What you'll need for Grilled Chicken Nuggets
  • How to Make Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets
  • Chick-Fil-A Grilled Nuggets Recipe Tips
  • Variations for Grilled Chicken Nuggets
  • Substitutions for Grilled Chicken Nuggets
  • Storage Tips
  • Chick Fil A Grilled Nuggets FAQs
  • Favorite Dipping Sauces for Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets
  • Best Side Dishes Grilled Chick-fil-A Nuggets 
  • More Easy Chicken Recipes
  • Grilled Chicken Nuggets (Chick Fil A Copycat)

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!
An oval plate is filled with grilled chicken chunks near black pepper and yellow pepper.

What you’ll need for Grilled Chicken Nuggets

  • 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.

Grilled Chicken Nuggets recipe labeled ingredients.
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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 Nuggets

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!

Marinade or brine ingredients in a glass bowl with raw chicken in background.
Whisk marinade ingredients together.
Raw chicken chunks in marinade/brine.
Add chicken chunks to marinade.

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!

Chicken nuggets with grill marks on grill grate.
Grill 3-4 minutes per side.

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.

A hand holds up a juicy grilled chicken nugget.

Variations for Grilled Chicken Nuggets

  • 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.
Yellow fries and green broccoli lay next to chunky grilled nuggets.

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.
A pile of chicken chunks with grill marks rest on a plate.

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

A plate of grilled nuggets, broccoli, and French fries sits next to more fries and black pepper.

Favorite Dipping Sauces for Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets

Serve your favorite dipping sauce with the grilled nuggets! Try these delicious homemade sauces:

  1. Try this Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sauce
  2. Or try this healthier Paleo Chick-Fil-A Sauce
  3. My Benihana Yum Yum Sauce would be perfect here!
  4. Honey Teriyaki Sauce
  5. Rocky Mountain Barbecue Sauce
  6. Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe
  7. 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!

Easy Healthy Mexican Chopped Salad in large bowl with wooden serving tools nearby.

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!

Read more
Panera Cobb Salad with Green Goddess Dressing.

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.

Read more
Steak fries golden brown and crispy on plate with ketchup and ranch.

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.

Read more
Creamy Homemade Smoked Mac and Cheese square image.

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!

Read more

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

Chick-fil-a grilled chicken nuggets on a tray, for pinning.

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Like this recipe?

Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!

Recipe Card
Grilled chicken nuggets on a small serving plate.

Grilled Chicken Nuggets (Chick Fil A Copycat)

5 from 3 readers
Author: Kathleen Pope
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Marinate Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Print Pin SaveSaved!
Save time and money by making homemade Chick-Fil-A Grilled Chicken Nuggets! Today's recipe is a copycat of these delicious fast-food grilled chicken nuggets which you can make with just a handful of ingredients.

Ingredients 
US Customary – Metric

  • 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
Get Recipe Ingredients

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.
    Marinade or brine ingredients in a glass bowl with raw chicken in background.
  • 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).
    Raw chicken chunks in marinade/brine.
  • 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.
    Chicken nuggets with grill marks on grill grate.
  • 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.
    Finished chicken nuggets on a platter.
Last step! Leave a RatingRate this recipe here. This helps other readers and helps support this website.

Notes

Tips:
  • 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.
Alternative cooking methods:

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.
Storage:
Refrigeration: After grilling, allow the chicken nuggets to cool completely before storing them. Transfer the nuggets to an airtight container or sealable plastic bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
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

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 152kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 650mg | Potassium: 457mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 177IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg
Grilled chicken nuggets on a small serving plate.
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Hello, Sunshine!

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Kathleen Pope

Meet Kathleen

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, I’m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen.

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  1. Andi

    Thu, Jan 23, 2025 at 12:25 pm

    5 stars
    excellent recipe, whole family loved it!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Thu, Jan 23, 2025 at 5:25 pm

      Thanks so much, Andi! Appreciate your sweet comment!

      Reply
  2. Nicole Welch

    Sat, Nov 9, 2024 at 3:45 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Sat, Nov 9, 2024 at 3:46 pm

      Awe, Nicole thank you so very much!! You made my day!

      Reply
  3. T

    Sat, Sep 7, 2024 at 8:10 am

    This isn’t accurate. They do not use pickle juice for grilled anymore. That stopped about 10 years ago.

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Sat, Sep 7, 2024 at 11:44 am

      Thanks for that update T! I personally still think it’s delish with it.

      Reply
  4. Shay

    Tue, Jun 18, 2024 at 6:23 pm

    5 stars
    Loooooooooove it.

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Wed, Jun 19, 2024 at 3:11 pm

      Thank you so much Shay!!

      Reply

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Kathleen Pope

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Hey there! I'm Kathleen Pope, a proud wife, mom of two awesome college boys, and recipe nerd. Welcome to my world of easy recipes with a healthy twist! Join thousands who trust The Fresh Cooky as their go-to recipe source. Let's cook up some magic!

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