Chick-fil-A Nuggets are bite-sized pieces of boneless chicken breast that are seasoned, breaded, and pressure-cooked in 100% refined peanut oil. They come in several counts, making them suitable for a snack, meal, or larger order.
The 8-count has 250 calories and 27 grams of protein, while the 12-count contains 380 calories and 40 grams of protein. Prices vary by restaurant, so the amount shown at your local Chick-fil-A may be different.
Chick-fil-A serves chicken sandwiches, Nuggets, Grilled Nuggets, breakfast, salads, sides, drinks, sauces, desserts, kids’ meals, and catering options.
Chick-fil-A Nuggets Price
Chick-fil-A Nuggets are available in 5-, 8-, 12-, and 30-count options. The prices below are based on the menu information provided for this article and can vary by location.
| Size | Price* | Calories | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-count | $3.20 | 160 | 17g |
| 8-count | $5.09 | 250 | 27g |
| 12-count | $6.95 | 380 | 40g |
| 30-count | $17.35 | 950 | 100g |
*Prices vary by restaurant and market. Chick-fil-A recommends checking the menu for your selected restaurant for current pricing.
The 30-count is designed more for sharing, while the smaller counts work well as individual portions.
Chick-fil-A Nuggets Recipe
A homemade copycat version can be made with small pieces of chicken breast, a pickle-based marinade, an egg-and-milk coating, and seasoned flour. The process is simple, but the key is keeping the chicken pieces similar in size so they cook evenly.
This recipe makes about four servings.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup dill pickle juice
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Peanut or canola oil for frying
How to Make Copycat Nuggets
- Cut the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Place the chicken in a bowl and cover it with pickle juice. Refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes.
- Drain the pickle juice and discard it.
- Whisk the egg and milk together in a separate bowl.
- Add the chicken to the milk mixture and coat each piece.
- Combine flour, powdered sugar, paprika, pepper, and salt in a large bag or bowl.
- Remove excess milk mixture from the chicken, then toss the pieces in the seasoned flour.
- Heat the oil to about 350°F in a deep skillet or fryer.
- Fry the chicken in small batches for roughly 3 to 5 minutes, turning as needed.
- Cook until golden and make sure the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
- Transfer the cooked nuggets to a paper towel-lined plate and serve warm.
For the best texture, avoid putting too many pieces into the oil at once. Overcrowding can lower the oil temperature and leave the breading less crisp.
This is a copycat recipe, not Chick-fil-A’s official recipe.
Chick-fil-A Nuggets Nutrition & Calories
Chick-fil-A Nuggets nutrition varies by serving size. An 8-count has 250 calories and 27g of protein, while a 12-count has 380 calories and 40g of protein. The table below shows the main nutrition details for each size. Chick-fil-A notes that nutrition information may vary by location and customization.
| Nutrition | 8-Count | 12-Count | 30-Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 250 | 380 | 950 |
| Total Fat | 11g | 17g | 43g |
| Saturated Fat | 2.5g | 3.5g | — |
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0g | — |
| Cholesterol | 85mg | — | — |
| Sodium | 1,210mg | 1,820mg | — |
| Total Carbohydrates | 11g | 16g | 41g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g | — | — |
| Sugars | 1g | 1g | — |
| Protein | 27g | 40g | 100g |
The 8-count provides 27g of protein for 250 calories, while the 12-count gives 40g of protein for 380 calories. Adding sauces, fries, drinks, or other sides increases the total nutrition for the meal.
Nutrition values can change with product updates, restaurant location, and customizations.
Chick-fil-A Nuggets Protein
The 8-count provides 27 grams of protein, while the 12-count provides 40 grams. The 30-count contains 100 grams of protein.
This makes the nuggets a protein-rich option compared with many other fast-food side or snack choices. The protein comes primarily from the boneless chicken breast used in the nuggets.
Chick-fil-A Nuggets Ingredients
The main ingredients include boneless, skinless chicken breast meat, water, enriched bleached flour, refined peanut oil, sugar, salt, monosodium glutamate, nonfat dry milk, leavening agents, spices, soybean oil, paprika, and pasteurized egg.
The official ingredient statement also identifies milk, egg, and wheat as allergens for this menu item. Chick-fil-A says ingredient information can differ by restaurant location.
Anyone managing a food allergy should check the ingredient information for the specific restaurant before ordering. Chick-fil-A also explains that shared kitchen and preparation areas mean it cannot guarantee food will be completely free from allergens.
Are Chick-fil-A Nuggets Fried?
Yes. Chick-fil-A Nuggets are freshly breaded and pressure-cooked in 100% refined peanut oil.
The breading contains flour, seasonings, and other ingredients that create the crisp outer coating. The chicken itself is made from boneless, skinless chicken breast meat.
The use of refined peanut oil is part of the restaurant’s standard preparation method. Chick-fil-A states that highly refined peanut oil is not identified as a major food allergen under its allergen information, but customers with food allergies should still review the restaurant’s current allergen guidance.
Chick-fil-A Nuggets vs. Grilled Nuggets
The main difference is the preparation method. Regular Nuggets are breaded and pressure-cooked, while Grilled Nuggets are marinated and grilled.
An 8-count of regular Nuggets has 250 calories and 27g of protein. An 8-count of Grilled Nuggets has 130 calories and 25g of protein.
| Item | Calories | Protein | Preparation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8-count Nuggets | 250 | 27g | Breaded and pressure-cooked |
| 8-count Grilled Nuggets | 130 | 25g | Marinated and grilled |
The grilled option is lower in calories and carbohydrates, while the regular Nuggets have the familiar crispy breading.
Can You Get Chick-fil-A Nuggets for Catering?
Yes. Chick-fil-A offers Nuggets as catering options, including Nugget trays. Catering prices vary by location, and the available options can depend on the restaurant.
The restaurant also offers different meal and catering formats, so larger orders can be planned around the number of guests and the other foods being served.
For current availability and pricing, select your local Chick-fil-A and view its catering menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in 8 Chick-fil-A Nuggets?
An 8-count contains 250 calories, 11g of fat, 11g of carbohydrates, and 27g of protein.
How much protein is in 12 Chick-fil-A Nuggets?
A 12-count contains 40 grams of protein and 380 calories.
What oil does Chick-fil-A use for Nuggets?
Chick-fil-A pressure-cooks its Nuggets in 100% refined peanut oil.
Are Chick-fil-A Nuggets gluten-free?
No. The regular Nuggets contain enriched flour with wheat, and Chick-fil-A lists wheat among the allergens for this item.
Are Chick-fil-A Nuggets dairy-free?
No. Chick-fil-A lists milk among the allergens for regular Nuggets, and the ingredient list includes pasteurized nonfat dry milk.
How many Nuggets come in a regular order?
The standard menu offers 5-, 8-, 12-, and 30-count options. Availability can depend on the restaurant.
Can I make Chick-fil-A Nuggets at home?
Yes. A copycat version can be made by marinating chicken pieces in pickle juice, coating them in an egg-and-milk mixture, covering them with seasoned flour, and frying until the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
Final Takeaway
Chick-fil-A Nuggets are breaded chicken breast pieces that are pressure-cooked in refined peanut oil. The 8-count contains 250 calories and 27g of protein, while the 12-count has 380 calories and 40g of protein.
Prices vary by location, so the local restaurant menu is the best source for the current cost. For a homemade option, the copycat recipe provides a simple way to make crispy chicken nuggets with a pickle-based marinade and seasoned coating.