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.
*To sterilize up to 99.6% just pour boiling water over the board.
*Big working surface 15″x11.75″
*Heat-resistant of up to 300° Fahrenheit
*FDA Approved, BPA-free, Dishwasher Safe

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

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 does Chick-fil-A use to marinate their chicken? ›

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.

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

You'll still get the benefits of a super-moist, tender, and flavorful chicken — just with a milder taste. But don't just take it from me — this is the (not-so-secret) secret that's fueled the love affair so many people have with Chick-fil-A. It's the pickle brine!

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

Ingredients: Chargrilled chicken breast filets containing up to 18% solution of water, seasoning (sugar, salt, dextrose, garlic powder, onion powder, maltodextrin, autolyzed yeast extract, spice, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, flavor, paprika [color]), seasoning (salt, sugar, spices, and paprika), butter ...

Does Chick-fil-A use pickle juice in their batter? ›

You won't find any pickle brine in his recipe, but you will see powdered sugar in the breading, which is even more key to the chicken's signature flavor than the pickles on top. You can, of course, use pickle juice as a marinade or brine for chicken.

Does Chick-fil-A marinate their chicken in? ›

Before the chicken is grilled though, it is seasoned and marinated. But finding the perfect recipe wasn't easy. In fact, it took several years for the Chick-fil-A culinary team to test 1,200-plus seasoning combinations.

Does Chick-fil-A soak their chicken in peanut oil? ›

Does Chick-fil-A use peanut oil? 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.

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

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 marinate their chicken in sugar? ›

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 a weakness of Chick-fil-A? ›

Weaknesses. Limited Presence: Fast-food market is highly competitive and promising because of the rising demand in Asia and Europe. Despite having a dominating position in the US market, Chick-fil-A never explored its opportunities. Other than the US, they are available in the UK and Canada.

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

The seasoning mix is the only thing that Chick-fil-A confirms goes into the chicken recipe—besides a milk and egg wash that keeps the breading in place. However, for years the internet has speculated that Chick-fil-A's chicken is marinated in pickle juice to give it its signature flavor.

Why do Chick-fil-A tenders taste different than the nuggets? ›

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 sugar in their breading? ›

biscuit (enriched bleached wheat flour [bleached wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid], vegetable oil shortening [palm oil], sugar, buttermilk, leavening [sodium bicarbonate, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate], salt, whey, natural flavor, milk, cream, contains ...

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.

Is Chick-fil-A discontinuing chicken strips? ›

Recently Chick-Fil-A took their original chicken strips off the menu, leaving only the spicy chicken strips. This has been disappointing to many of us who can't have spicy food or simply don't like it. Most kids (including my own) don't like spicy food. So now they can't have the chicken strips they loved.

Does Chick-fil-A chicken have fillers? ›

Does Chick-fil-A use hormones or antibiotics in your chicken? All our chicken is real breast meat with no fillers or added hormones or steroids – in fact, no artificial or added hormones are allowed in the production of any poultry in the United States.

How does Chick-fil-A soak their chicken? ›

Before cooking it, Chick-fil-A soaks its chicken in a solution of salt, sugar, and milk for up to 24 hours. How do I cook my chicken to taste like Chick-Fil-A chicken?

What does soaking chicken in pickle juice do? ›

Why marinate chicken in pickle juice? Marinating your chicken in pickle juice is the same as creating a brine for it. The pickle juice helps keep moisture in so it's super tender when cooked and doesn't dry out.

Does Chick-fil-A use 100% real chicken? ›

Chick-fil-A sources 100% real, whole, boneless breast of chicken that has never been ground or separated, and that contains no fillers or added steroids or hormones*.

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