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My Copy "Chick-Fil-A" Sandwich and Nugget

heidi medina
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 34 minutes
Servings 4 Sandwiches or 12 nuggets

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Skinless & boneless chicken breasts
  • 1 8-10oz jar dill pickle juice for marinade
  • sea salt to taste
  • balck pepper to taste
  • 1 ½ tsp. paprika
  • peanut oil for frying
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup fat-free milk (this is changeable with milk containing fat)
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour (substitute with pasty whole wheat flour)
  • ¼ cup whole-white flour
  • 1 tbsp. dry milk
  • 1 tbsp. powdered sugar
  • ¼ tsp. baking soda
  • ½ tsp. dry mustard
  • dill pickles slices , enough for 2 per sandwich
  • 4 soft hamburger ,split
  • 1 ½ tbsp. butter ,softened

Instructions
 

  • Cut each chicken breast in half horizontally, then cut those pieces in half across the middle if your chicken breasts are large enough.
  • Pound each piece to 1/8 inch thick  (if you put the chicken between two pieces of plastic wrap, it'll keep the chicken from splattering when pounding).  
  • Place the chicken in a bowl and cover with pickle juice.  
  • Cover the bowl with plastic and marinate at least 2 hours in the fridge.  
  • Cut smaller pieces of chicken and extras into nuggets sizes and treat them the same for the marinating, breading and cooking process.
  • Drain pickle juice from the chicken and place flat on a cutting board or dish.
  • Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper to taste and one teaspoon of paprika.
  • Heat 2 inches of peanut oil to 325º in a heavy pot or cast iron skillet.
  • In a shallow dish, mix the egg, milk and two tablespoons of water.
  • In a second shallow dish combine flours, dry milk, powdered sugar, baking soda, dry mustard and 1/2 teaspoon paprika.
  • Dip the chicken first in the flour mix, then into the egg mix and back into the flour mix, coating chicken pieces thoroughly.
  • Gently shake to remove any excess flour and place in the hot 325º skillet or pot.  
  • Fry in the hot oil, turning once if needed, until golden brown (about 4 minutes).
  • Drain the finished chicken on paper towels or a brown paper bag, allowing the chicken to rest for 2 to 3 minutes before using.
  • While chicken is resting, heat another large skillet to medium heat.
  • Split the buns open and spread in the insides with butter.  
  • Place in the skillet to lightly toast the buttered side until it's golden brown (apparently the real Chick-Fil-A sandwich is then coated again with more butter after coming out of the pan, but I just couldn't do it.
  • It doesn't need it in my opinion or changes the flavor but if you want closer to authentic, add more butter as Paula Dean used to say).

To Assemble

  • Dip two pickle slices into the jar to moisten with pickle juice and place on the bottom bun.
  • Put a piece of the fried chicken on top of the pickles and top with the bun top.

Notes

Enjoy your homemade "Chick-Fil-A" chicken sandwich.  For the nuggets, pair with your favorite dipping sauce.
Yield: 4 sandwiches and about a dozen nuggets (when using larger chicken breasts).
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