Gluten-Free Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets Recipe
These Gluten-Free Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets are a crispy, flavorful homemade alternative to the fast-food classic. Marinated in buttermilk and pickle juice, coated with a seasoned gluten-free flour mixture, and fried to golden perfection, these nuggets deliver delicious taste while catering to gluten-free dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including marinating time)
- Yield: 4 servings (approximately 16-20 nuggets) 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 lbs chicken tenders
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup pickle juice
- 1 tbsp gluten-free all purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp salt
Dredge and Frying
- 1 to 1½ cups high-temperature oil (depending on frying method)
- 1 cup gluten-free all purpose flour
- 1 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp season salt or all purpose seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken tenders into 2-3 pieces each, depending on your preferred nugget size.
- Season Chicken: In a bowl, combine 1 tbsp gluten-free flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Add chicken pieces and mix well to coat evenly.
- Marinate: Pour buttermilk and pickle juice over the seasoned chicken. Stir until fully incorporated and let marinate for at least 45 to 60 minutes or up to overnight in the refrigerator to enhance flavor and tenderness.
- Heat Oil: Heat 1 to 1½ cups high-temperature oil in a deep skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking (around 350°F or 175°C).
- Prepare Dredge: Whisk together gluten-free flour, powdered sugar, seasoning salt, salt, and pepper to create the coating mixture.
- Coat Nuggets: Drop a few pieces of marinated chicken into the flour mixture, coating each piece well on all sides.
- Fry Nuggets: Carefully place coated chicken pieces into the hot oil in batches. Fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 3-5 minutes per batch, turning as needed to ensure even cooking.
- Drain and Serve: Remove nuggets from oil and place on paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
- Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature at around 350°F for best frying results.
- Marinating overnight intensifies flavor and results in a juicier nugget.
- Ensure all ingredients used are certified gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.
- Adjust nugget size according to personal preference but keep pieces uniform for even cooking.
- If preferred, bake the coated nuggets at 400°F for 15-20 minutes as a lower-fat alternative, flipping halfway through.
Keywords: Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets, Chick-fil-A Style Nuggets, Fried Chicken Nuggets, Gluten-Free Fried Chicken
