Chick-fil-A's Chicken Minis have become a staple in the fast-food world, captivating taste buds with their irresistible combination of tender chicken and sweet buttery goodness. These mini sandwiches have gained a cult-like following, attracting fans from all walks of life.
The popularity of Chick-fil-A's Chicken Minis is undeniable. These bite-sized treats are known for their perfectly seasoned, breaded chicken pieces tucked between soft, buttered rolls, creating a delightful harmony of flavor and texture.
Chick-Fil-A is hands down one of my favorite fast food places of all time – breakfast, lunch or dinner. The chicken sandwich, chicken biscuit, and crispy nuggets are my favs. And Whether it's breakfast, brunch, or a satisfying snack, Chicken Minis never fail to satisfy cravings and leave you wanting more. They simply have the best fast food fried chicken!
If you find the craving strikes for Chick-fil-A Chicken Minis outside their operating hours (why are they closed on Sunday morning gahhhh), or simply want to enjoy them from the comfort of your own kitchen, no fear! I have the solution.
In this blog post, we will guide you through a delightful copycat recipe, allowing you to recreate these delicious treats at home. Prepare to impress your friends and family with your homemade version of Chick-fil-A's Chicken Minis and indulge in their crave-worthy taste anytime you desire.
Ingredients For Copycat ChickNMini’s
- chicken tenders
- buttermilk
- peanut oil (alternatively, you can use olive oil or vegetable oil)
- dill pickle juice
- all-purpose flour
- onion powder
- garlic powder
- black pepper
- salt
- powdered sugar
- season salt or all-purpose seasoning
- salt
- pepper
- Yeast Rolls
- unsalted butter
- honey
When it comes to recreating the Chick-fil-A Chicken Minis, using quality simple ingredients can make a noticeable difference in the final result. Here are some specific brands or variations that work well:
Chicken
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Look for fresh, high-quality chicken breasts.
Organic or free-range chicken: If you prefer a more sustainable or ethically sourced option, consider choosing organic or free-range chicken.
Breading
All-purpose flour: Use a good quality all-purpose flour for the breading mixture.
Seasoned salt: Look for a seasoned salt blend that includes a combination of salt, herbs, and spices to enhance the flavor of the chicken.
Buns or Biscuits
Sweet rolls or slider buns: Opt for soft, slightly sweet rolls or slider buns. Hawaiian rolls or brioche buns work well for an authentic touch.
Buttermilk biscuits: If you prefer a biscuit version of the Chicken Minis, choose flaky buttermilk biscuits for a delicious twist.
Honey Butter Glaze
Honey: Choose a good quality honey for the glaze, as it adds the perfect touch of sweetness.
Butter: Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the glaze.
Substitutions For Dietary Restrictions Or Preferences
If you have specific dietary restrictions or preferences, here are some optional ingredient substitutions you can consider:
Gluten-free option
Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or a combination of almond flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs for the breading.
Vegetarian or vegan option
Substitute the chicken with plant-based chicken alternatives or tofu strips coated in a flavorful marinade and breading.
Dairy-free option
Use dairy-free butter or margarine as a substitute for butter in the honey butter glaze.
Spicy option
Add some heat to your Chicken Minis by incorporating cayenne pepper or hot sauce into the breading mixture or glaze.
Remember, these substitutions may alter the taste and texture slightly, so adjust accordingly to achieve your desired outcome.
How To Prepare Chicken Mini’s
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Prepping The Chicken
Cut the chicken tenders into bite-sized pieces. Cut each tender into three equal pieces.
Tip: Using a cutting mat or cutting board is best for easily cutting the chicken
In a large bowl, combine a tablespoon of flour, along with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Give it a good mix, allowing the flavors to meld together and coat each piece of chicken with the seasoning mixture.
Pour in the buttermilk and pickle juice. Mix it all together until each piece of chicken is fully incorporated with the marinade.
Allow the chicken to marinate. Let it bathe in the flavors for at least 45 minutes, though an overnight soak will result in an even more irresistible taste.
While the chicken is marinating, heat your oil in a deep frying pan or deep fryer over medium-high heat, preparing to give your chicken the perfect golden exterior.
The Rolls
Place the tray of Sister Schubert's Parker House Style Yeast Dinner Rolls into the preheated oven and let them cook for 15 minutes, creating a warm and pillowy foundation for your chicken minis.
Cooking The Chicken
As the rolls transform, whisk together the dredge ingredients to create a coating that will make your chicken nuggets irresistibly crispy.
Remove the nuggets individually from the marinade and drop them into the dredge (flour mixture) as this prevents clumping. Ensure they are coated evenly.
Then, carefully place them into the hot oil, where they will sizzle and transform into golden-brown nuggets of delicious goodness.
Discard the marinade milk mixture after use.
Once the rolls have had their time in the oven, it's time to baste them with the melted honey butter spread, giving them a glossy finish that will make your taste buds tingle with anticipation. Return the rolls to the oven for just a few more minutes, allowing that sweet and buttery glaze to become one with the biscuits.
Meanwhile, keep an eye on your chicken nuggets, cooking them until they achieve that desired golden brown perfection. Removing them with a larg slotted spoon and draining them on a paper towel lined baking sheet.
When they're done, grab those precut rolls, and add a nugget to each one.
And there you have it! Your homemade copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Minis are now ready to be served and savored.
FAQs about Chicken Mini's
Copy Cat ChicNMinis Recipe (Chicken Minis Recipe)
Ingredients
Chicken
- 8 chicken tenders
- 3-4 cups peanut oil
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup pickle juice (the secret ingredient)
- 1 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
Dredge
- 1 cup AP flour
- 1 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp season salt or all purpose seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black or white pepper
Biscuits
- 1 packet Sister Schubert’s Parker House Style Yeast Rolls (11oz, thawed)
- 1.5 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2.5 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
- Cut the chicken tenders into 3 equal pieces8 chicken tenders
- Add the tablespoon of flour onion powder, garlic powder, salt and black pepper to the chicken.1 tbsp all purpose flour, 1 ½ tsp onion powder, 1 ½ tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp salt
- Mix well.
- Pour the buttermilk and pickle juice on top.½ cup buttermilk, 8 chicken tenders
- Mix until chicken is fully incorporated
- Let marinate for at least 45 min up to overnight.
- Heat the oil over medium high heat in a deep heavy bottom skillet or deep fryer.3-4 cups peanut oil
- Place the tray of rolls into the oven and cook for 15 mins
- Whisk all of the dredge ingredients together
- Drop the nuggets individually into the dredge. This prevents clumping.
- Coat well, then drop carefully into the oil.
- When the 15 mins are up, spread tops of the rolls with melted honey butter mixture, return to the oven for 3-4 mins, remove baste once more and set aside.
- Cook nuggets until golden brown.
- The rolls are precut, just add a nugget to them
- Serve and Enjoy these tasty little sandwiches!
This looks EPIC! That’s crazy you could make them, making me believe I could too!