Better-For-You Chick-Fil-A Chicken Nuggets
These Better-For-You Chick-Fil-A Chicken Nuggets are crispy, juicy, and totally addictive. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients and a pickle-juice marinade for extra flavor, they can be cooked in the air fryer or baked in the oven. Served with a creamy, sweet-and-tangy copycat dipping sauce.
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 751kcal
Ingredients
For Chicken Nuggets
- 2 Pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts cubed
- 2 Eggs
- 3 Tablespoons Dill Pickle Juice
- ½ Cup Italian Herb Breadcrumbs
- 1 Cup Almond Flour
- 1 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper
For the Chick-Fil-A Dipping Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Honey
- 2 Tablespoons BBQ Sauce
- 4 Teaspoons Dijon Mustard
- ½ Cup Mayo or Greek Yogurt
Instructions
- To make these Better Than Chick-Fil-A Chicken Nuggets, start by prepping your chicken. Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-size pieces and set them aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and dill pickle juice until fully combined. In a separate bowl, mix the almond flour, Italian herb breadcrumbs, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper until evenly distributed.
- Working one piece at a time, dip each chicken nugget into the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off, then press it firmly into the flour mixture. Make sure the coating is packed into all the crevices so each piece is fully coated. Repeat this process until all of the chicken has been breaded.
- If using an air fryer, preheat it to 400°F and lightly spray the basket with oil. Add the chicken nuggets in a single, even layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket (you may need to work in batches). Air fry for 12 minutes, flipping the nuggets halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
- If baking in the oven, preheat the oven to 450°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the chicken nuggets on the sheet in an even layer. Bake on the middle rack for 6 minutes, flip each piece, then return to the oven and bake for an additional 6 minutes, or until the nuggets are crisp and fully cooked.
- While the chicken is cooking, prepare the dipping sauce. Add the honey, BBQ sauce, Dijon mustard, and mayo or Greek yogurt to a small bowl and stir until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the seasoning or sweetness as needed.
- Serve the chicken nuggets immediately while hot and crispy, with the dipping sauce on the side for dunking.
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 751kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 60g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 239mg | Sodium: 1857mg | Potassium: 955mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 503IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 3mg
