Welcome back to my test kitchen, and another episode of my new video series Make It Good! In this series, I sit down with an inspirational member of our community to hear their health story, and then take their recipe request and recreate it with healthier ingredients. But the question is : Can I Make It Good (again)?
Today, I'm thrilled to share a special recipe inspired by an incredible young woman named Belle. If you caught my recent interview with Belle and her mom, Trisha, you know just how inspiring they are. I had the joy of meeting the entire Wuich family at Disneyland recently, and Belle’s infectious joy and vibrant spirit are truly remarkable. It was her request for a copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nugget recipe and the accompanying sauces that brings us to this New Recipe Thursday!
Perfecting the Recipe
Creating the perfect copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets wasn't just about mimicking flavors, but also about understanding the nuances that make these nuggets so special. Growing up, I relished the weekly Chick-fil-A days at my high school snack shack. However, recreating these nuggets from scratch, grain-free and with healthier ingredients, required a series of meticulous tests and adjustments. And considering I hadn’t tasted them myself for nearly 20 years, it was a challenge! After a dozen test batches, I finally got the texture and taste just right.
I sleuthed the labels for the recreation of the sauces, and after filtering through a dozen inflammatory ingredients such as soybean oil, sugar, modified corn starch, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and xanthan gum, among other ingredients - I was able to identify the main flavors of both. The Chick-fil-A Sauce offers a rich, creamy blend of honey mustard and smoky barbecue flavors, while the Polynesian Sauce delivers a tangy and sweet flavor profile reminiscent of a fruity and savory Asian-inspired glaze.
For the nugget brine, I started with a basic dill pickle juice marinade and realized it needed more depth, leading to a 24-hour marination with and added two ingredients to capture a subtle sweetness. I transitioned from a chickpea flour batter (based on the success of my Onion Rings and Chicken Nuggets from my cookbook Eat What You Love) to an almond flour-based batter (from my popular Corn Dogs), which still didn't achieve the right texture and tended to splatter right off of the chicken.
Finally, I found success with a breading mix that adhered well and provided the right crispiness, especially when fried, but even still delicious when baked in a convection with a spritz of avocado oil.
The Final Recipe: Nut-Free and Delicious
The culmination of all these tests led to a nugget recipe that is not only delicious but also nut-free, catering to those with grain and nut allergies! Using chicken tenders instead of breast chunks created that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture we love about Chick-fil-A nuggets.
I'm so excited for you to try these at home. These nuggets have been kid-tested and husband-approved, with the added bonus of being grain-free and nut-free. Ryan would have eaten every last one if I’d have let him!
Whether you're frying, air frying, or baking, you're in for a treat that captures the beloved flavor of Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets and iconic sauces—because what's a nugget without the perfect dip?!
Enjoy, and happy cooking!
Seasoned Fries - I made waffle fries for the purpose of the photos, but cutting them is a total pain and I wouldn’t do it again! These are my favorite, with my FRIES Seasoning!
Grain-Free Battered Chicken Nuggets - very different than Chick-fil-A flavors, but always a family favorite!
Corn Dogs - another kid-friendly favorite!
Heavenly Hunks Copycat - another copycat of a kid (and adult!) favorite, with much healthier ingredients!
I’d love to hear from you in the comments! Tell me if you’re excited for this new series, where I interview our community members and take their recipe requests and make them a reality.
Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets and Sauces
Servings 4 to 6
TOOLS
Large resealable bag
Deep pot, countertop smart fryer, rimmed baking sheet, or air fryer
Shallow bowls
INGREDIENTS
Creamy Hickory Sauce (Chick-fil-A Copycat Sauce) Makes 1 ½ cups
2/3 cup avocado oil mayonnaise
1/4 cup unsweetened ketchup
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons prepared yellow mustard
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon natural liquid smoke
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric, for coloring
Mix together in a bowl and store in the refrigerator for 4 weeks.
