Description
Crispy and flavorful Chicken Nuggets marinated in dill pickle juice and coated with a seasoned breadcrumb mixture, then fried to golden perfection. A delightful homemade take on a classic fast-food favorite that's juicy inside with a crunchy exterior.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast (cut into chunks)
- 1 cup dill pickle juice
- ½ cup whole milk
Breading Mixture
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
For Frying
- Peanut oil (for frying, at least 1 inch deep)
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: Place chicken chunks in a large zip-close bag and pour in dill pickle juice and whole milk. Seal and mix well to evenly coat the chicken. Let it marinate for 30 minutes to infuse flavor and tenderize the meat.
- Prepare Breading: In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, plain breadcrumbs, powdered sugar, garlic powder, paprika, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure an even seasoning blend.
- Heat Oil: While the chicken marinates, heat peanut oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, maintaining at least 1 inch deep of oil for proper frying.
- Coat Chicken: Drain the marinade from the chicken and discard the liquid. Dip each piece of chicken into the breadcrumb mixture ensuring complete coating on all sides.
- Fry Nuggets: Carefully add breaded chicken pieces into the hot oil in small batches to avoid lowering the oil temperature. Fry for 5 minutes or until the nuggets are deep golden brown and cooked through.
- Drain and Serve: Remove chicken nuggets from the oil and place on a wire cooling rack to drain excess oil and cool slightly. Repeat frying with remaining batches. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Use peanut oil for frying to achieve a high smoke point and delicious flavor; other neutral oils like canola can be substituted if needed.
- Marinating in dill pickle juice tenderizes the chicken and adds a unique tangy flavor that mimics classic fast-food nuggets.
- Cook chicken in small batches to maintain oil temperature and ensure even crispiness.
- Drain fried nuggets on a wire rack instead of paper towels to keep coating crispy.
- Pair with your favorite dipping sauces, especially a homemade Chick-fil-A sauce for an authentic experience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 226 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 886 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 74 mg
