Ingredients
Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch bite-sized cubes)
- 1 cup dill pickle juice
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large egg
Breading
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
Frying
- Peanut oil (or vegetable or canola oil)
Chick-Fil-A Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for a hint of smokiness)
Instructions
1. Marinate the chicken
- In a large bowl, whisk together milk, dill pickle juice, and egg.
- Add cubed chicken to the marinade, stir to coat, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally 2-4 hours for optimal flavor.
2. Prepare the breading
- In a separate large bowl or ziplock bag, combine flour, powdered sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic powder (if using).
3. Bread the chicken
- Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off.
- Working in batches, dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
4. Fry the chicken
- In a deep skillet or pot, heat enough oil to reach a depth of about 2 inches. Bring the oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Use a thermometer for accuracy.
- Carefully add the chicken pieces to the hot oil in batches, avoiding overcrowding.
- Fry for around 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F).
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
5. Make the sauce
- Whisk together all sauce ingredients until smooth.
6. Enjoy!
- Serve your crispy Chick-Fil-A bites hot with the delicious dipping sauce.
Tips
Don’t overcrowd the pan: Frying in batches keeps the oil temperature consistent, ensuring crispy bites.
Double breading: For extra crunch, dredge chicken in the flour mixture, dip back in the marinade, and then dredge in flour again.
Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the breading mixture for a little kick.
Oil options: While peanut oil is traditional at Chick-fil-A, vegetable or canola oil works perfectly fine.
