• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • meet the team
  • blogger resources
  • Contact Me
My Account
Member Dashboard
40 Aprons Premium (Ad Free!)

40 Aprons

Delicious, Healthy-ish Meals for the Whole Family

  • All Recipes
  • Most Popular
    • Cheryl’s Favorites
    • 30-Minute Recipes
    • Creamy Soups
    • Copycat Recipes
    • Casseroles
    • One-Dish Wonders
  • Method
    • Air Fryer
    • Baking
    • Crockpot
    • Grilling
    • Instant Pot
    • Sous Vide
  • Course
    • Appetizers
    • Cooking Basics
    • Breakfast
    • Condiments
    • Dessert
    • Main Course
    • Meal Prep
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Cuisine
    • American
    • Asian
    • Indian
    • Italian
    • Mediterranean
    • Mexican & Latin
    • Southern
Home Blog Cuisine American

Equality Appreciation Day, or: Chick-Fil-A Copycat Nuggets

Cheryl Malik
Cheryl Malik Posted: 08/21/12 Updated: 05/13/22
2 Comments
Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

The Inspiration Behind This Recipe

In honor of Chick-Fil-A appreciation day, O and I decided to have an appreciation day of our own: equality appreciation day. We really don’t feel the need to agree with the politics of any corporation or its officers, but there’s something about a little piece of our nugget value meal going towards ex-gay rehabilitation that makes us itchy.

Oh, that, and, it’s insanely unhealthy? It’s insanely unhealthy.

There’s this odd misconception that, I suppose because the chicken at Chick-Fil-A has a grain to the meat, it’s remotely healthy. People genuinely believe it’s better for you than Burger King, or whatever, and some genuinely believe it’s not unhealthy. Those people are about as wrong about nutrition as Chick-Fil-A is about what makes someone gay (personal choice, of course!). Does this, my friends, look healthy to you?

All this to say.. O, however, loves loved Chick-Fil-A. Despite his usually overpowering preference when it comes to a quick Saturday lunch, even he gave up the chain after the hateful reveal of where our money is actually going. What does a man who takes a stance deserve?

Chick-Fil-GAYOK! nuggets.

Skip the Drive-Thru and Make Your Own Chicken Nuggets

I’d been interested in a copycat Chick-Fil-A nugget before–partly for health reasons, but mostly the challenge. I based our attempt on two separate recipes: Iowa Girl Eats Chick-Fil-A Bites and Food Network’s Almost Famous Chicken Sandwiches. What did I learn? If I can say nothing else, it’s:

Always marinade everything in pickle juice. This is not a joke.

I’m guessing the pickle brine caused some chemical reaction that broke down the chicken protein, resulting in a more tender, saline-solution-inspired flavorful bite of meat. We’re so used to the taste of the pickle juice-marinated chicken with Chick-Fil-A batter that I’m not sure how well it would work with, say, rosemary and garlic pan roasted chicken thighs, but you can’t keep me from trying. Just try. Just try!

I’m not 100% happy with the coating in one sense: it didn’t taste exactly like Chick-Fil-A. I’d increase the amount of powered sugar and definitely deep fry, if I wanted a true replica. However, for a first attempt and a pan fry, they were remarkable. So, in the other sense–the one based entirely off of personal taste and general self-satisfaction: 100% happy.

O adored them, and I had visions of our future.. him at the kids’ table, happily snacking away on chicken nuggets and dunking his little Ore-Ida fries in ketchup while the foie gras-seared filet stuffed with homemade boursin I made for him gets cold at the adult table. For some reason in this vision, I in no way care about my children’s diets and spend $50 a meal on us.

Why You’ll Love These Nuggets

  • Because you can. Because they’re simple and fulfilling and make everyone who eats them happy,
  • Because you prefer not to propagate hate, or because you enjoy the satisfaction of voting with your dollar–for freedom and equality, or against prejudice, or
  • Because there’s a total of twelve ingredients vs. the original: over fifty.

We ate these with incredible oven roasted fries–post to follow, and Iowa Girl Eats’ Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce, which was excellent. I added a bit more honey, and I’d probably cut the dijon by a bit, but otherwise, the creaminess was dead on, and the smooth mustard flavor paired nicely with the bites.

Hey – you’ve made it this far, so now we’re basically best friends! If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook, too!

Chick-Fil-GAYOK! Nugget Copycats

Prep:10 minutes
Cook:8 minutes
Marinating Time:4 hours
Total:18 minutes
These golden nuggets of deliciousness taste nearly identical to the ones that you would get from Chick-fil-A and they are made with less than half of the ingredients. Even better, these are homophobe free! Who wouldn't want to try these?
Print Save Saved! Click Here to Remove Ads
4 servings

Ingredients

Nuggets

  • 2 large chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces, seasoned with salt and pepper
  • 3/4 cup milk 3/4 cup
  • 1/4 cup pickle juice 1/4 cup
  • 1 piece egg 1 regular size egg
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon malted milk powder malted milk powder
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda a pinch
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard dry
  • 1 teaspoon paprika a pinch
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper or to taste

Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt plain
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons yellow mustard yellow mustard
  • 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard Dijon mustard
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons honey honey

Instructions 

  • Whisk together egg, milk and pickle juice, and pour into a large ziplock bag or bowl. Add chicken pieces and marinate in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours.
  • Combine flour, powdered sugar, malted milk powder, baking soda, dry mustard, paprika, and salt and pepper in a large ziplock bag or large paper grocery bag. Shake to combine. Remove chicken from the marinade and add into the bag. Shake to coat the chicken completely.
  • Heat half the oil in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium-high heat (6 or 7 out of 10.) Test the oil by dropping in a bit of the flour mixture or a few droplets of water. If it sizzles, the oil is ready. If it pops, lower the temperature a bit.
  • Gently place chicken pieces into the oil with tongs. Do this in 2 batches, as you don’t want to overcrowd the pan. Cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown on one side. Turn the chicken over and allow to cook for 3-4 more minutes. Remove to a paper-towel lined plate. Heat the remaining oil and continue with the other half of the chicken pieces.
  • Stir together the honey mustard dipping sauce ingredients, and serve with the hot chicken bites.

Notes

The honey mustard dipping lasts for weeks when stored in the fridge. Store in a glass mason jar, shake it before using it as a dipping sauce.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 4g, Calories: 310kcal, Carbohydrates: 45g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 83mg, Sodium: 1074mg, Potassium: 375mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 19g, Vitamin A: 397IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 100mg, Iron: 2mg, Net Carbs: 44g

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

 

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

 

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

© Author: Cheryl Malik

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @40aprons on social and be sure to leave a review on the blog post!

Rate Recipe Tag Me on Instagram
Cheryl Malik

Meet Cheryl Malik

Cheryl Malik is the recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind the healthy, flavorful, family friendly recipes at 40 Aprons. She's been a blogger for 10+ years and is known for her delicious recipes and detailed recipe instructions. Cheryl is a mom of three who lives in Memphis, TN.

Read more...

You may also like...

  • Chickfila Tofu Nuggets. Vegan and judgment-free, these little bites taste so close to the "real thing"!
    Chick-fil-A Tofu Nuggets with Vegan "Honey" Mustard Sauce
  • An air fryer chicken nugget dipped into copycat Chick-fil-a sauce
    Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets (Chick-Fil-A Style)
  • Healthy frosted lemonade in a glass with a straw and lemons in the background
    Healthy Chick Fil A Frosted Lemonade Recipe (Paleo, Vegan)

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question or comment below.

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Tom Longbotham says

    Posted on 8/26/12 at 1:12 am

    Pickle juice – vinegar (acid) is great at tenderizing meats as well as chemically cooking fish. Just don’t try to make dolphin ceviche because it will actually be tartar;)

    Reply
    • theStylistQuo says

      Posted on 8/26/12 at 8:48 am

      Dang, I love dolphin ceviche! It makes perfect sense. Do you think the dill flavor will impart after a certain number of hours?

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

What’s Popular?

Reusable meal prep trays with sweet potato, scrambled eggs, and sausage for a whole30 breakfast

Whole30 Breakfast Meal Prep

Crispy, golden air fryer tater tots in a large white serving bowl next to a small ramekin of bright red ketchup.

Air Fryer Tater Tots

Overhead view of marry me chicken in a cast iron skillet

Marry Me Chicken

Instant pot chicken and rice in a bowl

Dreamy Instant Pot Chicken and Rice

In Season

Whole30 In-n-Out burgers close up

Whole30 Burgers – Burger Joint Style (Paleo, Low Carb)

Overhead photo of keto chicken tortilla soup in a rustic bowl

Keto Chicken Tortilla Soup (Low Carb, Gluten Free)

Air fryer chicken wings on a platter with sauce

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings in Buffalo Sauce

Instant pot frozen chicken breast - easy chicken recipes for dinners with few ingredients

Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Breasts

As seen on:

More Goodies + NO Ads!

Become a 40 Aprons Premium Member!

All the 40 Aprons content you love - now even better.

  • Member-Exclusive Recipes
  • Meal Plans & Grocery Lists
  • eBooks
  • NO ADS!
Join now

Privacy Policy

Accessibility

Disclaimers

Contact

© 2023 40 Aprons
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
Back to Top
9 shares