These Grilled Nuggets are bite-sized pieces of tender chicken that are coated with a flavorful marinade and then grilled to perfection. It's the perfect copycat recipe to make for your family.
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❤️ Why You'll Love It
- You only need simple ingredients and they are all easy to find at your local grocery store so you don't have to make multiple stops.
- This homemade Chick-fil-A recipe is a great way to satisfy your fast food craving without having to leave the house.
- And, the best thing is that even picky eaters love these tender and flavorful nuggets.
The next time your family is craving fast food make this copycat Chick-fil-A meal. It's quick, budget-friendly, and tastes great. Your whole family will love it.
📝 Ingredients
Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📋 Ingredient Notes / Variations
- Chicken breast - You will need boneless skinless chicken breast, you can also use chicken tenderloins.
- Olive oil - I love the flavor that olive oil gives these grilled nuggets.
- Lemon juice - I recommend using fresh lemon juice, it will give the best flavor to your marinade.
- Lemon zest - Adds a nice and bright flavor. Only zest the yellow peel and not the white parts.
- Brown sugar - I used light brown sugar, dark brown sugar will work just as well.
- Garlic powder - If you don't have garlic powder you can use fresh minced garlic, just make sure to finely mince it.
- Onion powder - Just like the garlic powder, you can use fresh minced onion if you don't have onion powder on hand.
- Paprika - Adds a nice smoky flavor and also gives the chicken a beautiful color.
- Salt and black pepper - To season the marinade, use as much or as little as you'd like.
- Liquid smoke - This is optional and a great way to add a smoky flavor.
🥄 Instructions
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.
- In a medium bowl combine chicken with all the ingredients except the liquid smoke.
- Mix and marinate in the fridge for 1 hour and up to 24 hours.
- Mix in liquid smoke if using. Heat a grill pan over medium heat and brush with a little oil.
- Cook chicken nuggets for 2-3 minutes per side or until cooked. Place chicken nuggets on a plate and cover loosely with foil. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
🥣 Equipment
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- Medium bowl
- Grill pan
- Aluminum foil
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👍 Amira's Tips
- Our favorite sauce to serve with these nuggets is either Polynesian sauce or honey mustard. However, BBQ sauce and ranch also taste great with them.
- I like to make these on the stove top because it's easy, however, you can also cook them on a charcoal grill. If you are cooking them on a grill, make sure you spray your grill grates with cooking spray.
- The grill pan helps to add the grill marks to your chicken nuggets, if you don't have one, you can use a large skillet instead.
- When making a chicken recipe like this, it's important to make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees f.
🧺 Storage
Refrigerate - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. These are great to store in a storage bag.
Freeze - You can also freeze these cooked chicken nuggets in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
Reheat - Simply pop them in the microwave for a few minutes or bake them in a single layer on a baking sheet in the oven at 375 degrees f until heated through.
Recipes you will love
This Bang Bang Chicken is packed with bold flavors and a spicy kick! Coated in a crispy crust and tossed in a creamy, spicy sauce, this dish is perfect for dinner or as an appetizer.
Want a healthier recipe? Try these Bang Bang Chicken Skewers; they are bold, flavorful, and so easy.
⌛ Make Ahead
One of the best things about this grilled nuggets recipe is that you can prep the marinade the night before so that they are ready to grill when you get home on a busy weekday.
🍽️ Serve With
This grilled chicken nuggets recipe pairs so well with just about any side dish. We love to serve them with a side of fries or a fresh salad like this Mediterranean Arugula Salad.
👩🍳 Variations
- Don't have lemon juice or a lemon on hand? You can use a dash of apple cider vinegar for the acid in your grilled nuggets recipe instead. It will change the flavor slightly, but they will still taste great.
- Try adding some different herbs to the mixture to change the flavor of this great recipe.
- Use soybean oil instead of olive oil to get the same flavor as the real deal.
- If you love the dipping sauces at Chick-fil-A you can purchase bottles of their sauce at restaurants or in grocery stores.
💬 FAQs
Yes, since grilled nuggets are not deep-fried in oil, they are healthier than deep-fried nuggets.
Contrary to popular belief, they do not use pickle juice in the food.
📣 Related Recipes
- Try dipping these homemade nuggets in this Copycat Big Mac Sauce. It's a great way to combine the flavors of these popular fast-food chains.
- This Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken copycat recipe is a great way to satisfy your Chinese food cravings without having to spend the extra money at a restaurant.
- If you are looking for something a little different to add to your meal plan, then you are going to want to give this Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Scampi a try.
- These healthy nuggets are great for back-to-school nights when things get crazy. Check out these Healthy After School Snacks for ideas to help you during this busy season.
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! Thank you.
Grilled Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast cut into bite size pieces
- 4 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ teaspoon salt or to taste
Optional:
- 1 Tablespoon liquid smoke
Instructions
- In a medium bowl combine chicken with all the ingredients except for the liquid smoke if using.
- Mix together and marinate for 1 hour and up to 24 hours.
- Mix in liquid smoke if using.
- Heat a grilling pan over medium heat and brush lightly with oil.
- Cook chicken nuggets for 2-3 minutes per side or until cooked.
- Place chicken nuggets on a plate and cover loosely with foil. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.
Nutrition
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