Easy Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets Recipe (Chick-Fil-a Copycat)

I think you’ve struck gold because this easy gluten free chicken nuggets recipe is going to make all your dreams come true if you’re looking for a Chick-fil-A copycat gluten-free nugget, this is it! These nuggets are made with pantry style ingredients and then fried to get that golden brown coating.

These gluten free chicken nuggets are perfect for adults, kids, and the teens, they come together quickly with pantry staples and if you want to skip all the oil, you can make the in the air fryer too! I promise they’re going to be a huge hit! This is by far the best all-around gluten-free chicken nugget recipe that the entire family will love.

Why you’ll love Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets:

• Simple Ingredients – These are pantry-style ingredients. I don’t use fancy ingredients! The only ingredient you need to make these gluten-free is gluten-free all-purpose flour.
• Kid-Approved – These are great for the kids, easy to eat on the go, and have that crispy, crunchy exterior they are going to love, plus they’re dippable in your favorite dipping sauce.
• Versatile to Cook – If you don’t want to deep fry them, use the air fryer!

What do you need to make Homemade Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets?

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast or Chicken Tenders
• Milk
• Dill Pickle Juice
• Egg
• Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour
• Salt
• Paprika
• Black Pepper
• Vegetable or Peanut Oil

This version is very close to the traditional Chick-fil-A nuggets. The key to these nuggets is soaking them in the dill pickle juice. This will help moisten the chicken breast.

We do not like a lot of salt, so these have minimal salt. If you prefer more salty chicken, add additional salt when seasoning or serving.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. In a Ziploc bag, combine the milk, pickle juice, and egg.
2. Place the chicken inside the bag, seal, and let this marinade at least 4 hours or overnight. Be sure to place it inside another bowl or pan in case it leaks.
3. Once you are ready to cook the chicken, combine the flour, salt, paprika, and ground pepper in another Ziploc Bag.
4. Take the chicken out of the marinade, letting the excess marinade drip off it and then place it inside the bag with the flour mixture.
5. Seal and shake the bag so that all the chicken is well coated with the mixture.
6. In a medium sized saucepan, pour the oil so that it is about 2-4 inches high. Place a candy thermometer in the pan to measure the heat. Let this heat until it has reached 350 degrees F.
7. Shake the excess off each piece of chicken and carefully drop in the oil when it is hot enough, letting it fry for about 8 minutes or until crispy.
8. Repeat for all chicken nuggets, you may have to add additional oil depending on the amount you use.
9. Once they have been fried, place them on a paper towel lined plate to allow the extra oil to drip off.
10. Serve with your favorite sauces.

Should you use Peanut Oil in Copycat Chick-fil-A nuggets?

Chick-fil-A uses peanut oil; however, I opted for vegetable oil because our family has peanut allergies. I try to avoid having that oil in our home since the kitchen would quickly become cross-contaminated.

Tips for Making Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets Recipe:

• Keep a thermometer handy to make sure the oil is hot enough.
• Do not add too many chicken nuggets at once, they only take a few minutes to fry, so keep a close eye on them. As you fry more, they will cook even faster. Use tongs to carefully flip and remove them.
• Do not skip the marinade, this is what keeps them moist and flavorful.
• Use a meat thermometer – Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer; it needs to reach at least 165 degrees F to be considered fully cooked.
• If you want to skip the deep frying and use your air fryer basket, use this air fryer chicken nuggets recipe.

Best Dipping Sauce for Chicken Nuggets:

• Homemade Barbecue Sauce or Store-Bought BBQ Sauce
• Homemade Buffalo Sauce
• Homemade Ranch Dressing
• Honey Mustard
• Store-Bought Chick-Fil-A Sauces

How do you make gluten-free Chick-fil-A nuggets?

It’s simply a switch of flour, that’s it! These nuggets need to be made with Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour, which is a 1:1 swap from traditional flour.

The best flour to use is Gluten-Free King Arthur All-Purpose Flour or Better Batter. Other brands that work well are Cup 4 Cup and Bob’s Red Mill. It’s very important to use high-quality gluten-free flour that already has Xanthan Gum in it to keep the same texture.

How do you store leftover Homemade Chicken Nuggets?

Store leftover nuggets in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to reheat, heat in the air fryer at 375 degrees F for 4-5 minutes. Alternatively, they can also be reheated in the microwave for 1-2 minutes on a microwave-safe plate.

These nuggets can also be frozen and reheated. If you choose to freeze the nuggets, place them on a baking sheet and keep them flat into the freezer to freeze individually. Once fully frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe storage bag and store for up to 3 months. When ready to reheat, use the air fryer method and use a light spray of olive oil spray to keep them crispy.

These gluten-free chicken nuggets are the perfect choice for the whole family with their crispy texture and moist chicken, it’s a great way to make an easy lunch, dinner, or snacks! This recipe is a great convenience recipe and perfect for picky eaters.