Who needs to go out for Chick-Fil-A when you have this perfectly delicious copycat recipe at home? We’re revisiting an old favorite of ours with this copycat, and we’re stepping it up a notch by also providing the recipe for some copycat nuggets as well. It’s a simple way to get all of the amazing flavor of the originals, done in a few easy steps, and you and the whole family can enjoy it for a fraction of the price! But don’t take my word for it, let’s jump in and you can see it for yourself.
No surprise that the secret to a great chicken sandwich comes from how you prepare the chicken. Duh. We used Midamars Halal chicken breast because it’s always tender and delicious, and it provides plenty for sandwiches and nuggets that are sure to please even the most discerning chicken enjoyers.
We sliced up a few of the breasts for the nuggets to take around for the office to enjoy (spoiler alert; they were a big hit) and we gently pounded the others into fillets. They don’t need to be super-thin, just enough to be a uniform thickness to help them fry later. After that, dump the chicken in a plastic bag to marinate with some pickle juice. You’d be surprised at how far this simple step takes you, it adds a subtle tanginess to the final product that tastes just like the original.
After the chicken has marinated, it’s the standard process of dredging it in some milk and egg, then a blend of flour and a few simple seasonings. One of the secrets to this tasty breading is a little bit of powdered sugar, not enough to make it sweet, but just enough that it isn’t a completely savory experience. Just like with the pickle juice, this is a simple addition that really adds a lot to the final product.
Fry up the chicken in some neutral flavored oil until it’s nice and golden brown then let it drain on a wire rack. This is the final step before you get to build your own delicious chicken sandwich, so take the time to get it right, don’t overcrowd the pot, and give each piece a few flips so it cooks evenly.
I love the way the breading fries on these sandwiches, it has the soft outer crust of a Chick Fil A sandwich, as opposed to other fried chicken sandwiches that have a thicker, crispier layer of breading on the outside. Delicious though this style may be, it isn’t what we’re looking for here, so no need to coat the chicken too thick when you’re coating it in the breading.
Once it’s all fried, toss it in a little bit of salt, then add it to your choice of bun with a few pickles and waffle fries and dive in! I was expecting these to be good, but they were awesome! They’re full of amazing flavor that is surprisingly complex, and they’re the perfect amount of crispy that is so satisfying to bite into.
So, next time you’re craving this fast-food favorite, try making this at home instead. It always tastes better when you make it yourself and we can’t wait for you to give it a try. Give us your thoughts in the comments here or on social media, and check out some of our other Halal recipes. Enjoy!
