Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
- 1 cup dill pickle juice
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Peanut or avocado oil spray
- Chick-fil-A sauce or honey mustard, for serving
Instructions
- Brine. Combine the chicken and pickle juice in a bowl or zip-top bag. Refrigerate 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours) — this is the juiciness secret. Drain and pat dry.
- Set up dredging. Whisk the milk and egg in one shallow bowl. In another, whisk the flour, powdered sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Coat. Dip each chicken chunk in the milk-egg mixture, then dredge in the seasoned flour, pressing to adhere. Rest 5 minutes so the coating sets.
- Air fry. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the nuggets in a single layer (work in batches), spray generously with oil, and air fry 9–11 minutes, flipping halfway, until deep golden and 165°F inside.
- Serve. Serve hot with Chick-fil-A sauce, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce for dunking.
💡 Nugget smarts
Do not skip the brine — even 30 minutes in pickle juice transforms the texture and flavor. The powdered sugar sounds odd but it is the copycat key: it caramelizes into that signature golden crust. Spray the nuggets generously with oil; a dry spray equals pale spots. For extra crunch, double-dredge: milk-egg, flour, back to milk-egg, flour again.
Common questions
Can I bake these instead of air frying?
Yes — bake at 425°F on a wire rack set over a sheet pan for 15–18 minutes, flipping once. They will not be quite as crisp but still delicious.
What is Chick-fil-A sauce made of?
The classic copycat: mayonnaise, honey, yellow mustard, barbecue sauce, and a squeeze of lemon. Whisk equal parts mayo and honey with smaller amounts of the rest.
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes — thighs stay extra juicy. Cut them into even chunks and cook the same way.
How do I store leftovers?
Refrigerate up to 3 days. Re-crisp in the air fryer at 375°F for 4–5 minutes — the microwave makes them soggy.
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