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If you’re craving a juicy, flavorful grilled chicken nugget from your favorite fast food place, you’re in luck! You can create these at home and have a quick and delicious meal ready in just 30 minutes. The pickle marinade gives flavor and moisture, and the grill adds a smoky finish.
These Grilled Chicken Nuggets are perfect for any occasion. Serve them for a tasty weeknight dinner with your favorite sides. Or bring them as an appetizer for parties or game nights paired with a variety of dipping sauces. They are easy to eat and flavorful.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Grilled Chicken Nuggets Ingredients
- Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
- How To Make Grilled Chicken Nuggets
- Tips To Perfect This Recipe
- What to Serve with Grilled Chicken Nuggets.
- Storing and Reheating
- Alternative Cooking Methods
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Grilled Chicken Recipes
- Grilled Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Kid-Friendly: Perfect for picky eaters, these nuggets are sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is simple and can be prepared in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
- Versatile: Great for meals, snacks, or party appetizers, these nuggets can be enjoyed in various ways.
Grilled Chicken Nuggets Ingredients
- Chicken: Cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-size cubes to make the nuggets.
- Marinade: Salty, briny pickle juice is the base of the marinade. You can use the liquid from your favorite pickles, whether they’re classic dill, sweet, or spicy. Combine with butter milk and a small amount of confectioners sugar.
- Seasonings: Add salt, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, ground black pepper, and paprika to the marinade. You could also add cumin for a warm, earthy flavor or chili powder for a bit of heat.
- Oil: If you’re grilling inside on a grill pan, heat olive oil in the pan before adding the chicken.
- Parsley: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for color and flavor.
Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
- Chicken Breast: Use chicken tenderloins or thighs for a juicier alternative.
- Marinade: Substitute with store-bought marinades or experiment with different flavors like teriyaki, BBQ, or lemon herb.
- Spices: Adjust the seasoning to your preference by adding spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, or garlic powder.
- Dipping Sauces: Serve with a variety of dipping sauces like honey mustard, ranch, or sriracha mayo.
How To Make Grilled Chicken Nuggets
Step 1: Prepare the chicken. Pat the bite-sized pieces of pieces with a kitchen towel.
Step 2: Prepare the marinade. Mix the pickle juice, butter milk, sugar, and seasonings in a large bowl.
Step 3: Marinate the chicken. Add the chicken to the marinade and let sit for at least 30 minutes in an airtight container in the fridge.
Step 4: Cook the chicken. Grill the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through.
Step 5: Garnish and eat. Top with parsley and serve with your favorite dip.
Tips To Perfect This Recipe
- Cut Evenly: Ensure chicken pieces are cut into even sizes for uniform cooking.
- Marinate for Flavor: Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to infuse flavor and keep the nuggets juicy.
- Preheat the Grill: Make sure the grill is preheated to medium-high heat for even cooking and to prevent sticking.
- Oil the Grates: Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent the chicken from sticking.
What to Serve with Grilled Chicken Nuggets.
These nuggets pair perfectly with some Crispy French Fries and a dipping sauce. Some favorites are barbecue sauce, a buttermilk ranch, or a homemade honey mustard sauce. You could also serve these nuggets with Quick Creamy Mashed Potatoes for a more filling meal.
Storing and Reheating
Storing: Store leftover nuggets in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat: Microwave the chicken for 1-2 minutes or cook in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
Freezing: Freeze cooked nuggets on a baking sheet overnight, then transfer to a freezer container. Store for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Alternative Cooking Methods
Air Fryer: Cook the chicken in a preheated air fryer at 400 degrees F for 10-12 minutes, shaking halfway.
Oven: Bake the chicken on a lined baking sheet at 425 degrees F for 12- 15 minutes, turning halfway.
Stovetop: Cook the chicken in a skillet over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes per side, until cooked through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use cubed boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this recipe. Adjust the cooking time by adding 1-2 minutes per side.
You could make the marinade up to 48 hours in advance, and then add the chicken 30 minutes to 2 hours before cooking. Or grill the chicken, store in the fridge, and reheat them when ready to eat.
Yes, an indoor grill or grill pan works perfectly for this recipe. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
Honey mustard, BBQ sauce, ranch, sriracha mayo, or any of your favorite dipping sauces.
More Grilled Chicken Recipes
- Grilled Pollo Asado
- Greek Grilled Chicken Salad
- Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
- Charcoal Grilled Whole Chicken
- Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders
Grilled Chicken Nuggets offer a delicious alternative to traditional fried nuggets. Marinated and grilled to perfection, these nuggets are perfect for a quick meal or snack and loved by kids and adults alike.
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Grilled Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 2 lb chicken breasts, cut into bite sized cubes
- ½ cup pickle juice
- ½ cup butter milk, or whole milk
- 1 tablespoon confectioners sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley, to garnish
Instructions
- Pat dry the bite-sized chicken cubes with a kitchen towel and set them aside.
- In a large bowl, combine pickle juice, milk, sugar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, pepper, and paprika.
- Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat a grill pan with oil. Once the oil is heated, add the marinated chicken pieces and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until the chicken is cooked through and has grill marks.
- Once done, garnish the chicken nuggets with parsley and serve with your favorite dip.
Notes
- Cut Evenly: Ensure chicken pieces are cut into even sizes for uniform cooking.
- Marinate for Flavor: Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to infuse flavor and keep the nuggets juicy.
- Preheat the Grill: Make sure the grill is preheated to medium-high heat for even cooking and to prevent sticking.
- Oil the Grates: Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent the chicken from sticking.
