Grilled Chicken Nuggets

My kids love Chick-fil-A grilled nuggets, but I’m happy to report they love my homemade recipe even more! Juicy, flavorful, and perfectly charred, these bite-sized pieces of boneless chicken breast are perfect for weeknight dinners, cookouts, and quick lunches. I love how easy it is to get a big batch of these on the grill, with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor. These easy grilled chicken nuggets are simple to make, packed with seasoning, and a healthier twist on the usual fried nuggets.

Boneless Grilled Chicken Breast Bites

To make these grilled nuggets, I start by cutting boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Then I marinate them in a quick mix of apple cider vinegar, olive oil, brown sugar, and a savory blend of spices. This not only flavors the chicken but helps keep it tender and juicy on the grill. After at least 30 minutes of marinating, the nuggets go straight onto a preheated grill. Just 3 minutes per side is all it takes to get those beautiful grill marks and perfectly cooked chicken.

Serve them as is, with your favorite dipping sauce (I’m partial to Chick Fil A sauce!), or toss them into salads and wraps. They’re a good source of protein, so I love using these boneless grilled chicken bites for my own easy meal prep too!

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Marinate for Extra Tender Nuggets

For the juiciest results, don’t skip the marinade. Trust me, it’s my secret weapon for this recipe! I like to let the chicken nuggets sit in the marinade for at least 30 minutes–but no more than 4 hours to prevent the texture from changing.

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Grilled Chicken Nuggets Recipe

These homemade grilled chicken nuggets are quick, easy, and healthy! Juicy, flavorful bites of chicken breast are marinated then cooked on the grill in under 10 minutes.

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Marinating Time: 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 55 minutes mins

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Equipment

• Grill or Indoor Grill Pan

Serves 4 people

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Ingredients

• ▢ 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• ▢ ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
• ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ▢ 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoons garlic powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

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Instructions

• Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized nugget pieces.
  1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  
• Whisk together the vinegar, oil, sugar, and seasonings in a bowl.
  ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 teaspoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoons garlic powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  
• Add the chicken pieces to the mixture.
• Cover, and let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
  
• Heat the grill to medium-high heat (375-450°F). Grill the chicken nuggets for 3 minutes per side or until cooked through.
  

Notes

• Try to cut the chicken into evenly sized nuggets so they all cook at the same rate.
• Don’t marinate for longer than 4 hours, or your nuggets will turn mushy.
• Make sure your grill is preheated to medium-high (375-450°F) so the nuggets sear quickly and lock in the juices.
• Oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
• Using a digital thermometer helps ensure they’re perfectly cooked at 165°F without overcooking.
• Let the nuggets rest for 3-5 minutes before digging in to lock in the juices.

Storage: Store grilled chicken nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Note: Water, salt, pepper, oil, and broth are not counted as ingredients on this site.

Nutrition Facts

Grilled Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Amount Per Serving (0.375 pound)

Calories 240 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Trans Fat 0.02g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 4g

Cholesterol 109mg36%

Sodium 480mg21%

Potassium 661mg19%

Carbohydrates 3g1%

Fiber 0.2g1%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 36g72%

Vitamin A 175IU4%

Vitamin C 2mg2%

Calcium 14mg1%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Author: Becky Hardin

Course: Appetizer, Dinner, lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: American

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How to Make Chicken Nuggets on the Grill Step by Step

Cut the Chicken: Cut 1½ pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized nugget pieces. I like to do this with a sharp knife, first slicing each breast into strips, then cutting each strip into chunks.

Make the Marinade: Whisk together ⅓ cup of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 2 teaspoons of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, ½ teaspoon of onion powder, ½ teaspoons of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika, and ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper in a large bowl.

Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken bites to the seasoning mixture. Cover, and let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.

Grill the Chicken: Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (375-450°F). Grill the chicken nuggets for 3 minutes per side, or until cooked through to 165°F.

How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat

Store leftover grilled chicken nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating covered in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.