Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders Recipe - EASY COPYCAT! - MomDot (2024)

This delicious Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders recipe will rock your world, and with the dipping sauce, they’re perfect! Scroll down to the bottom for a printed version of this Chick-fil-A copycat recipe!

Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders Recipe - EASY COPYCAT! - MomDot (1)We Love Chick-fil-A Chicken Strips

There is no doubt that when it comes to fast food, Chick-fil-A reigns supreme in our house. When given the choice of any restaurant or fast food joint, in unison the kids shout, “CHICK-FIL-A!” I don’t blame them.

With the delicious nuggets, strips, and sandwiches, not to mention those waffle fries, if you do not live in an area with these choices you are surely missing out. That being said, some nights mom just does NOT want to head out for fast food.

And to fight the cravings, we make our own at home.

This is a delicious Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Strips recipe that will rock your world and tastes amazing. You can use this same recipe for Chick Fil A Nuggets as well by chopping the strips down!

Just add some of your own homemade waffle fries and some honey mustard and you may never want to eat out again!

Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders Recipe - EASY COPYCAT! - MomDot (2)Swissmar Borner PowerLine Wave Waffle CutterChick-fil-A Chicken Tenders Recipe - EASY COPYCAT! - MomDot (3)

DO NOT FORGET THE WAFFLE FRIES

Let’s talk waffle fries: Although not what this copycat chicken strips recipe is about, the perfect side pairing to these strips are WAFFLE FRIES. You can pick up a waffle fry slicer and get a perfectly authentic meal at home. Cutting up the fries in this way is not only fun but this slicer can be used for fun-shaped veggies as well.

  • 6 different cuts, 3 waves, 2 french fries, 1 waffle
  • Ergonomic, easy-grip handle for comfortable use
  • Easy “click” system for changing the position of the insert
  • Safety position locks insert in place and shields the blade

Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders Copycat Recipe

Let’s get our chicken on! This recipe is set specifically for chicken strips and dip, but if you are more of a nugget fan, not a problem! Just chunk your chicken down and then check your chicken early so it doesn’t get overcooked.

Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich

You can also make a Chick-fil-A copycat sandwich by leaving your chicken as breasts! Honestly, once you have this recipe down, you are good to go on however you choose to enjoy this chicken recipe.

If you decide to make these as chicken breasts for sandwiches, get the thin ones or slice the breasts in half width-wise so they’re not so thick. They might need a little longer to cook, too.

Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders Recipe - EASY COPYCAT! - MomDot (8)

Slice your (soon-to-be copycat!) chicken into strips lengthwise and place in a large bowl.

Add in the pickle juiceChick-fil-A Chicken Tenders Recipe - EASY COPYCAT! - MomDot (9) and 1/2 cup of the milk and let marinate for 30 minutes or overnight.

When ready to cook, heat the peanut oilChick-fil-A Chicken Tenders Recipe - EASY COPYCAT! - MomDot (10) in a large skilletChick-fil-A Chicken Tenders Recipe - EASY COPYCAT! - MomDot (11) or soup pot over medium heat.

Whisk together the remaining milk and egg.

Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders Recipe - EASY COPYCAT! - MomDot (12)

In a large Ziplock bagChick-fil-A Chicken Tenders Recipe - EASY COPYCAT! - MomDot (13), combine the flour,Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders Recipe - EASY COPYCAT! - MomDot (14) powdered sugar, salt, and pepper.

Remove the chicken from the marinade, dip it into the milk-egg mixture and then add a few at a time to the bag.

Seal and shake until the strips are fully coated.

In batches, carefully add 4-5 strips of chicken to the hot oil and cook on each side for about 3-5 minutes, until golden brown.

Transfer to a paper towel to drain excess oil as you continue working in batches.

That’s it, you have made a perfect rendition of Chick-fil-A!

Serve with homemade honey mustard or your favorite dipping sauce.

Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders Recipe - EASY COPYCAT! - MomDot (15)
Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders Recipe - EASY COPYCAT! - MomDot (16)

Kitchen Gizmo 2 Sided TPU Anti-Bacterial Cutting Board, Thick Yet Flexible, Knife Friendly, Scratch Resistant, Non-Slip, Juice Groove, Dishwasher Safe, Antimicrobial and FDA Approved (Red/Black)Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders Recipe - EASY COPYCAT! - MomDot (17)

PRO TIP: Every time I am working with raw chicken, I honestly get grossed out. We all know how sick it can make someone to be exposed to what it leaves behind. I love these Kitchen Gizmos– it’s a cutting board that removes the worry! Standard cutting boards get scratches that become a breeding ground for bacteria. This cutting board is extremely scratch-resistant, preventing any bacteria from building up, has two sides, and a juice catcher so your defrosted chicken doesn’t leak to the counter.

*You can get rid of a whopping 54% of bacteria just by washing it with cold water.
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*Big working surface 15″x11.75″
*Heat-resistant of up to 300° Fahrenheit
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COPYCAT CHICK-FIL-A CHICKEN TENDERS

Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders Recipe - EASY COPYCAT! - MomDot (18)

Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken strips, nuggets, or sandwich with this versatile and easy chicken recipe

  • 1 pound boneless (skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips)
  • 1 cup dill pickle juice
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 cup peanut oil
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  1. Slice your chicken into strips lengthwise and place in a large bowl.
  2. Add in the pickle juice and 1/2 cup of the milk and let marinate for 30 minutes or overnight.
  3. When ready to cook, heat the peanut oil in a large skillet or soup pot over medium heat.
  4. Whisk together the remaining milk and egg.
  5. In a large Ziplock bag, combine the flour, powdered sugar, salt and pepper.
  6. Remove the chicken from the marinade, dip into the milk-egg mixture and then add a few at a time to the bag.

  7. Seal and shake until the strips are fully coated.
  8. In batches, carefully add 4-5 strips of chicken to the hot oil and cook on each side for about 3-5 minutes, until golden brown.
  9. Transfer to a paper towel to drain excess oil as you continue working in batches.
  10. Serve with honey mustard or your favorite dipping sauce.
  • Want to have Chick-fil-A nuggets instead? Cut down your recipe and watch the cooking time as the chicken will cook faster.
  • Prefer to have a Copycat Chick-fil-A Sandwich? Not a problem either! Same recipe, just use a boneless, skinless chicken breast and let cook a bit longer.

Ready for another twist on chicken night?

Try one of these great chicken recipes before you go.

Just click on the image to be taken to the recipe!

Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders Recipe - EASY COPYCAT! - MomDot (22)

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Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders Recipe - EASY COPYCAT! - MomDot (2024)

FAQs

Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders Recipe - EASY COPYCAT! - MomDot? ›

That ingredient is monosodium glutamate, more commonly known as MSG. While many people think MSG is only found in Chinese (or Americanized Chinese) cuisine, it's prevalent in dozens of all types of food items, including snacks like Doritos and powder mixes like Hidden Valley's ranch dressing.

What is the secret ingredient in Chick-Fil-A chicken? ›

That ingredient is monosodium glutamate, more commonly known as MSG. While many people think MSG is only found in Chinese (or Americanized Chinese) cuisine, it's prevalent in dozens of all types of food items, including snacks like Doritos and powder mixes like Hidden Valley's ranch dressing.

What are the ingredients in Chick-Fil-A chicken strips? ›

Made from the most tender part of the chicken breast, our Spicy Chick-n-Strips are seasoned with a spicy blend of peppers, hand-breaded and cooked to perfection in 100% refined peanut oil.

How does Chick-Fil-A make their chicken so tender? ›

Using pickle juice to tenderize meat

So whether it's for sandwiches, nuggets or fried chicken, save the pickle juice for an extra-tender treat. Courtesy Chick-fil-A, Inc.

How does Chick-Fil-A cook their chicken? ›

It is pressure cooked in peanut oil: The Original Chicken Sandwich is pressure cooked in 100 percent refined peanut oil, which is naturally trans-fat free.

What does Chick-fil-A marinate their chicken in? ›

Chick-fil-A's secret to juicy chicken lies in their bringing process. Brining is the process of soaking meat in a solution of salt, sugar, and water. This helps to tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor. Before cooking it, Chick-fil-A soaks its chicken in a solution of salt, sugar, and milk for up to 24 hours.

What is in the breading of Chick-fil-A? ›

INGREDIENTS: Chicken (containing up to 8-16% solution of: water, salt, sodium phosphates, cultured nonfat milk, cornstarch, salt, Vitamin A palmitate, Vitamin D3), enriched bleached flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), corn starch, dehydrated garlic, dehydrated onion, ...

Are Chick-fil-A strips marinated? ›

Description. "Made from the most tender part of the chicken breast, Chick-n-Strips™ are marinated in special seasonings, hand-breaded and pressure cooked to perfection in 100% refined peanut oil.

How are Chick-fil-A strips cooked? ›

Tray of Chick-n-Strips™️ which are seasoned to perfection, freshly breaded and pressure cooked in 100% refined peanut oil.

Why do Chick-fil-A strips taste different? ›

The difference between Chick-fil-A's nuggets and strips is the marinade. After Reddit user u/SizzlingSloth asked if Chick-fil-A's strips and nuggets have different marinades, La_Casa_Nueva, who claimed to be a Chick-fil-A manager, explained that the company does indeed use different marinades for its strips and nuggets ...

Does Chick-fil-A use pickle juice to marinate their chicken? ›

It came out pretty darn close I think! There are two crucial ingredients chick-fil-a uses that most recipes dont have- pickle juice and sugar. They also use MSG- but its also ok without it if you dont like it. Just cut up the breasts into chunks and follow recipe for nuggets.

Does Chick-fil-A use pickle juice in marinade? ›

The Role of Pickle Juice in Marination

Yes, it's true that Chick Fil A includes pickle juice in their marinade, but it's not the sole ingredient responsible for the chicken's taste. Pickle juice serves as a flavor enhancer, adding a tangy and slightly acidic note to the chicken.

Does Chick-fil-A batter their own chicken? ›

Many of our menu items are hand-prepared daily, right in our restaurant kitchens. For example, the chicken breast we use to make our sandwiches, strips and nuggets is breaded by hand; it never comes to us as a pre-breaded nugget that needs to be reheated.

Does Chick-fil-A fry or bake their chicken? ›

Our original recipe for almost 60 years. A boneless breast of chicken seasoned to perfection, freshly breaded, pressure cooked in 100% refined peanut oil and served on a toasted, buttery bun with dill pickle chips.

What oil does Chick-fil-A use? ›

Ever since our founder Truett Cathy created the Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich, we've been cooking our hand-breaded chicken exclusively in fully refined, heat-processed peanut oil.

What does Chick-fil-A stand for? ›

It all began with our founder, S. Truett Cathy, naming his restaurants after his famous signature Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich (also known as the Original Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich). “Chick” to represent our juicy chicken, and “fil-A” as a play on the word “filet” – with a small twist.

How does Chick-fil-A make their chicken taste so good? ›

Brining is the process of soaking meat in a solution of salt, sugar, and water. This helps to tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor. Before cooking it, Chick-fil-A soaks its chicken in a solution of salt, sugar, and milk for up to 24 hours.

Why does Chick-fil-A chicken taste different? ›

One Reddit user, who claims to be a former Chick-fil-A manager, says the chicken is marinated in pickle juice and then quickly dipped in buttermilk before breading. If that's the case, it would certainly make sense because Chick-fil-A's chicken does have a slightly tangy, vinegary flavor to it.

Is Chick-fil-A chicken real or processed? ›

Our chicken is raised in barns (not cages), on farms in the United States, in accordance with our Animal Wellbeing Standards, and with No Antibiotics Important to Human Medicine (NAIHM). * No artificial or added hormones are used in the production of any poultry in the United States.

Does Chick-fil-A use MSG in their grilled chicken? ›

Hi there, I have worked for a Chick-fil-A in Florida for almost 5 years now and I can tell you that there is MSG in the seasoning of the chicken, but is a lot less than what you'd find at any other quick service or fast food store.

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