Recipe

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Homemade gluten-free chicken nuggets with the same texture and taste as the original Chick-fil-A nuggets!

With my easy breading method, making these gluten-free chicken nuggets couldn’t be any easier!

lunchbox with six chicken nuggets and veggies on the side.

Gluten-Free Chick-fil-A Nuggets

My kids love Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets, so why not make a copycat recipe, I thought. Since my son can't eat gluten, I recreated the famous Chick-fil-A nugget in a simple gluten-free version that everyone can enjoy.

This recipe yields the same glorious texture, and the dill pickle juice adds that unique flavor we love from the restaurant’s nuggets. It’s super simple to make and I’ll share with you my hack to make breading a breeze. Yes, it’s super simple!

I tell you, these nuggets will be devoured by everyone, not just gluten-free people. You can also pack leftovers inside a lunchbox and make awesome lunches!

Gluten Free Chicken Nugget Breading Texture

My daughter says there is something in the Chick-fil-A breading she really likes that is not like other breaded chicken. I actually love this recipe now for more reasons than the taste, and the texture is one of them. It was that crispy breading texture I was after and not without the "odd texture" that some gluten-free foods can have.

lunchbox with six chicken nuggets and veggies on the side, a mini sauce container with a dip and anothe small container with berries.

Ingredients

The measurements are in the printable recipe card, but first, check what you need to make gluten-free chicken nuggets that are just as delicious as the Chick-fil-A ones -or even more, ahem!:

Chicken breasts: cut them into nugget-size pieces.
Dill pickle juice: the not-so-secret ingredient that makes these nuggets so delicious.
Egg: combined with milk to coat the chicken so the breading sticks.
Milk: you can use any milk.
Gluten-free flour: for the breading.
Seasonings: to make the breading super tasty, I use onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Oil: peanut oil for the classic Chick-fil-A flavor or any vegetable oil for frying.

lunchbox with six copycat chick-fil-a nuggets and veggies on the side.

How to Make Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets

Once you’ll see how easy it is to prep chicken nuggets at home, you’ll make this recipe again and again! Here’s what you need to know about the process:

Prep the chicken
Pat dry the chicken breasts to help the coating stick better and then cut them into nugget-size pieces.
Marinate
You’ll let the chicken pieces marinate in dill pickle juice for about 45 minutes.
Bread the nuggets
First, coat the nuggets with a mix of milk and egg. Then, transfer them to a zip bag with a mix of flour and seasonings. Seal it, shake it, and check that the chicken is well coated.
Cook the nuggets
You can cook them in the pan or the air fryer. If using the pan, make sure the oil is not too hot, or it could burn the breading. Transfer each batch to a paper towel-lined dish to absorb any excess oil.

Make Them Crispy

What makes these gluten-free chicken nuggets crispy is the cooking method. While you can bake them, they wouldn’t be perfectly tasty like Chick-fil-A the way they are when you pan fry or air fry them.

What to Serve with Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets

From homemade ketchup to ranch dressing, these nuggets are meant to be dipped in the best sauces! My kids love my BBQ sauce, while my favorite is avocado lime ranch. Well, you can serve one, two, or more; no need to decide!

Another favorite in my place is the famous copycat Cane’s sauce to enjoy the best dip and the best nuggets at the same time!

How to Freeze & Reheat Gluten Free Nuggets

Once the nuggets are cooked and have cooled down, store them in an airtight container or zip bag and refrigerate for up to 4 days. To reheat, place them in the microwave or in the air fryer at 360F for 4 minutes.

You can also freeze the breaded uncooked nuggets. Place them in a lined pan and, once frozen, transfer them into a zip bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. If cooking them frozen, add 2 to 3 minutes to the cooking time.

Gluten-Free Sides for Chicken Nuggets

Make a complete meal by serving these gluten-free chicken nuggets with roasted vegetables, garlic fingerling potatoes, or this delicious cilantro lime rice. An epic side I serve often is this carrot raisin salad, a side that Chick-fil-A discontinued from the menu. My recipe is not only tasty but also healthier!

Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets (Chick-fil-A Copycat)

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 10

Marinate: 45

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 1 5

Homemade gluten-free chicken nuggets with the same texture and taste as the original Chick-fil-A nuggets!

4.91 from 66 votes

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Ingredients

1.5 lbs chicken breasts, cut into ½ inch cubes
1 cup dill pickle juice
1 egg, beaten
⅓ cup milk
1 cup gluten-free flour
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
Vegetable or peanut oil, for frying

Instructions

Prep:

Pat dry the chicken breasts with a paper towel. Using a sharp knife, cut them into nugget-sized pieces of 1-inch. Transfer them inside a zip bag, pour the dill pickle juice, and seal.

Marinate:

Place the zip bag in the fridge for 45 minutes to up to 1 hour.

Bread the nuggets:

In a medium bowl, large enough to fit the nuggets, whisk the egg. Add the milk, combine, and set aside.
In a gallon-sized zip bag, combine the gluten-free flour and the seasonings. Set aside.
Drain the pickle juice out of the zip bag and place the nuggets in the egg and milk mixture. Toss them around the bowl with a fork to coat them with the egg and milk liquid.
With the same fork or using kitchen tongs, transfer all the nuggets from the bowl into the zip bag containing the seasoned flour. Seal the bag and shake it to coat the nuggets well.

Cook the nuggets:

Pour enough oil into a frying pan to fill the pan about ¾" high. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 375F. You can check the temperature with a meat thermometer. If you let the oil get too hot, the breading might brown or burn too quickly before the nuggets are finished cooking.
With kitchen tongs, transfer the nuggets from the flour bag, shaking off any excess flour, to the hot oil in the pan. Make sure there's about 1" of space between them. Cook the nuggets for 3 to 5 minutes, using the tongs to flip them over halfway through cooking if there's any side exposed.
Remove the nuggets from the oil onto a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil. Repeat the process with the remaining nuggets.
Preheat the air fryer to 400F for 5 minutes. Use kitchen tongs to remove the coated nuggets from the bag onto a few paper plates (or a regular plate). Spray both sides of all the nuggets with cooking spray.
Place the nuggets in the air fryer and cook them for 12 minutes, making sure to shake the basket or flip them over halfway through cooking to ensure the nuggets get golden brown on all sides. Larger nuggets may need up to 15 minutes. They're cooked when the largest piece's internal temperature reaches 165F.