This Chick-Fil-A chicken salad is tasty, creamy, and a bit sweet, just enough to make it one of the best chicken salads out there. It’s great for grabbing some toasted bread or for just eating it on its own!

Copycat Chick-fil-a Chicken Salad is a recipe I love to make. We love creating our own versions of restaurant favorites at home, such as Chick-Fil-a Chicken minis (one of the most downloaded recipes from our website to this date), Chick-Fil-A mac and cheese, Chick-Fil-A Cool Wrap, Chick-Fil-A sauce recipe, KFC Chicken littles, Popeyes Chicken Sandwich, McDonald’s Chicken McGriddles and many more. This Copycat Recipe is one you will want to make again and again!

Chick-Fil-A Chicken Salad Recipe

Since chicken salad isn’t on Chick-fil-A’s menu and bid farewell back in 2017, we’ve got you covered with the simplest and most delectable recipe to recreate this classic at home.

Ingredients

• 16 oz of grilled chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
• 2 hard-boiled eggs
• 5 TBSP of Celery, chopped
• 5 TBSP of sweet pickle relish
• 10 TBSP of mayonnaise
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 1/3 teaspoon of black pepper
• Garlic powder, to your liking (this is optional)
• Green leaf lettuce

Instructions

• Add cooked chicken, salt, pepper, garlic powder, celery and relish to a food processor.
• Blend the ingredients several times until you get the desired texture. (Don’t overmix, give the salad quick pulses being careful not to puree it)
• Add eggs and mayonnaise, and mix until you get the desired outcome.

Toast

• Toast slices of bread. Serve Chick-Fil-A chicken salad on top.
• Top with lettuce and the second bread slice.
• Continue with the remaining bread slices, lettuce, and chicken salad.

Pin the image below if you like this Chicken Salad Recipe!

What you need for original Chick-Fil-A chicken salad

• Chicken breasts – The original Chick-fil-A recipe requires four chicken breasts. They can be grilled or fried. I chose the grilled chicken breast.
• Celery – adds great texture and amazing flavors to salads, especially cold ones. Celery is also used in tuna salad recipes and many more.
• Sweet Pickle Relish – This recipe is very similar to my grandma’s chicken salad recipe. It’s not good without sweet pickle relish. Many people love the sweet relish. It tastes just like the store-bought varieties. Because we like it, my simple chicken recipe uses dill relish cubes instead.
• Real Mayonnaise – I would guess that Chick-fil-A spread used Hellman’s mayonnaise or a restaurant mayonnaise. Because the recipe was not very specific, I didn’t know for certain so I used Duke’s mayonnaise. A mayonnaise with olive oil can be used to lighten things. You can also use half of the plain Greek yogurt with the mayonnaise to lighten it.
• Hardboiled Eggs – are another common ingredient in Southern-style chicken salads. They add really nice flavor and texture to the salad.
• Food Processor –  The original recipe required that you use a food processor. I used it here, but it was too processed and didn’t have the right texture. If you have a food processor, my suggestion is first to pulse the celery, then add in the chicken, and then pulse again. Alternatively, you can chop all the ingredients and mix them together.

Variations to Chick-Fil-A Chicken Salad

• Make it Sweeter You can add 1/3 – 1/2 tsp of granulated sugar if you like a sweeter version of chicken salad.
• Dill Some people don’t like sweet pickle relish so you can try dill relish instead.
• Low-carb – If you want to cut down on carbs and go gluten-free, grab some Bibb lettuce or Living lettuce and serve your chicken salad in lettuce cups.
• Onion is not in the Chick-Fil-A recipe. However, I love to add a little grated onion or finely minced yellow onions to my chicken salad. You don’t need to add much! You can also mince some green onions or chives and add them to the salad. Also, you could add some red onion slices to the chicken salad sandwiches.
• Toast-Bread Varieties I chose to use whole wheat bread because that’s what Chick-fil-A used.

How to store Chick-Fil-A Chicken Salad

The remaining chicken salad should not be consumed more than three to five days after being made and should be stored in a refrigerator using an airtight container.

Is Chick-fil-A chicken salad sandwich available at Chick-Fil-A restaurants?

No. Unfortunately, It was removed from the menu in September 2017. One of the managers of the company explained that it was not a light hearted decision but that it is necessary to occasionally offer menu items that guests enjoy. The company gets feedback from its customers to inform them of their plans for changing the menu. 

Chick-Fil-A published their famous chicken salad recipe around the same time that they stopped selling the sandwich. It was so good that I had to have it. It was delicious… heavenly.

Conclusion

If you like this chicken salad, be sure to check out this Classic Carol Chicken Salad. Chick Fil A’s copycat chicken salad tastes exactly like the real deal. It is the original. The original but “not-so-secret recipe” was picked straight from the restaurant. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. If you did, please share on Pinterest and other social media pages. Thank you!

Here is the recipe for the perfect Vanilla sponge cake. This super-soft, easy-to-make vanilla sponge cake is the best delight for any occasion.

Whether it’s your daughter’s birthday or you want to make your Christmas eve memorable, my easy cake recipe will let to celebrate your special events to the next level.

When a soft and spongy cake, layered with fluffy and creamy frosting, enters your mouth, the taste and flavor will amaze you leaving a lasting impression on your taste buds.

Without any delay, just get into the recipe and make your day sweet and smiley.

Vanilla Cake Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: 2 ½ Cups
• Buttermilk: 1 cup
• Baking powder: 1 TBSP
• Salt: ½ TSP
• Soft unsalted butter: 1 cup
• Eggs: 4
• Pure vanilla extract: 4 TSP
• Granulated sugar: 1 ½ Cup

Buttercream Frosting Ingredients

• Unsalted butter: 1 ½ cups
• Castor sugar: 5 Cups
• Vanilla extract: 4 TSP
• Heavy cream: 5 TBSP
• Salt: ¼ TSP

Directions.

• Preheat the oven to 350F with the rack in the center of the oven.
• Next, brush the sides and bottom of two 9-inch baking pans with melted butter. Then, sprinkle some flour on the baking pan. Tap the sides to remove extra flour. These two steps will help in the easy release of baked sponge cake.
• Take a medium-sized bowl. Add in the flour, baking powder, and half a teaspoon of salt. Mix everything together.
• To a bowl of a standing mixer, add unsalted butter and granulated sugar. Now beat everything on medium to high speed for 5 minutes.
• Once you see the fluffiness in the bowl, add in eggs. Beat one egg at a time, then add another egg. Make sure each egg is well-mixed with the butter and sugar mix before adding the next egg.
• Next, add in the vanilla extract.
• Then, whisk in the dry ingredients, followed by the addition of buttermilk. Beat until everything is combined.
• Now divide this batter into two baking pans and spread them evenly.
• Now bake the cake in the oven at 350F for 3o minutes.
• When a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, you are done with making your sponge vanilla cake.
• Allow the cakes to rest for 10 minutes before taking them out of their pan.
• Now let the cake cool down completely on a wire rack.
• Meanwhile, move on to making vanilla buttercream frosting.

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Preparation

• In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat your unsalted butter for 5 minutes at high speed until it gets a light creamy texture.
• When the butter is evenly blended, add in 1 tablespoon of castor sugar, beat it, and well incorporate, following another tablespoon of sugar.
• When the sugar is well-beaten in parts, add in the vanilla extract.
• To make a thick consistency, add heavy cream to the bowl. Beat it.
• The best vanilla frosting is ready to make your sponge cake more delightful and yummy.
• Place the first layer of cake on the cake platter, and cover it with a layer of frosting. Put on the second cake layer and evenly apply frosting on the cake.
• Now decorate the cake according to your choice.
• Your perfect vanilla sponge cake layered with fluffy and creamy frosting is ready to go.

Tips & Tricks

• Accurately weigh all the ingredients.
• Sift powdered ingredients to make a smooth and clumps-free batter.
• Use ingredients at room temperature to make a smooth and thick batter.
• Avoid over-mixing the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients to achieve the desired texture.
• Add all the wet ingredients in the right amount, e.g., use large eggs rather than small eggs.
• The batter must be evenly divided in both pans. Using a kitchen scale will help you in the equal division of the batter in both pans.
• Always allow the cake to cool completely, or otherwise, your frosting will melt, making your cake the least tempting.

Pin the image below if you like this vanilla sponge cake recipe!

FAQs

How to store vanilla sponge cake?

To best store vanilla sponge cake, wrap the slices of cake in a cling film and then place them in an air-tight box. This way, you can store the cake for 4 to 5 days. Cling-wrapping the cake will keep it moist and soft. If you want to store the cake for longer, then you can refrigerate the cake for 1 week.

What if my cake is undercooked?

If your cake is not properly cooked in the given time, it means your oven was not preheated. Note the temperature of the oven with the help of a thermometer, and bake the cake for a few minutes more until the skewer comes out dry and clean.

What adds fluffiness to the sponge vanilla cake?

The softness and fluffiness in the sponge vanilla cake are the results of the creaming process. When the butter is mixed with sugar, the creaming process occurs due to the entrapment of the tiny air bubbles. This makes your cake aerated and fluffy. The release of carbon dioxide gas by rising agents plus these air bubbles contributes to the fluffy texture of the cake while baking.

Why does my vanilla sponge cake always gets deflated?

A vanilla sponge cake is more prone to deflating than any other type of cake because it contains eggs in large proportions. It also contains air in large amounts. When the cake is allowed to cool, it gets deflated due to the release of heat. To fix this, make sure the door of the oven is closed properly to maintain the required amount of heat in the oven.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size: 1 slice (89g)

• Calories in one slice: 330
• Carbohydrates: 39g
• Fats: 16g
• Proteins: 3g

Conclusion:

Vanilla sponge cake is just a perfect fit to make your day memorable. I have best tried to write for you the simplest and easiest cake recipe. I hope you liked it, and if you really did, get into the recipe and give it a try.

Share this delicious cake recipe with your loved ones and add some sweetness to their life.

Thanks!

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets are a healthier option than cooking with other methods, and it’s way easier to prepare them this way. They cook perfectly crispy and have tender, juicy chicken inside. I will show you two versions, one with store-bought frozen chicken nuggets and how to make air fryer chicken nuggets from scratch.

You can also try my Air Fryer Pork Chops, Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin, Air Fryer Frozen French Fries, Air Fryer Corn Dogs, and Air Fryer Hamburgers.

My husband is just as excited about these Air fryer chicken nuggets as my children are. They are quick to prepare and take only a few minutes to fry.

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets from Scratch

Of course, Air Fryer chicken nuggets from scratch will always be a better and healthier option. The most important thing is you should use fresh, high-quality chicken breasts. I understand that if you are in a hurry and want to make something quick and tasty, that is great to use store-bought frozen chicken nuggets.

If you want to proceed with the frozen chicken nuggets recipe, scroll to this post’s end. But also, you could prepare your chicken nuggets ahead and freeze them for a later date.

How to make Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

• Place the cut pieces of chicken in 1.5-inch pieces. Marinate for 30 minutes in a bowl with the pickle juice or a ziplock bag.
• In a ziplock bag, combine the following breading ingredients: flour, baking powder, sugar, paprika, and black pepper.
• Mix together milk, egg, and butter in a separate bowl. Pre-heat the air fryer to 360°
• Place the chicken pieces in a ziplock bag and let the egg mixture drip off. To evenly coat the chicken, seal and shake the bag.

• Spray the bottom with nonstick cooking oil and place half the chicken pieces in a single layer. Space them apart, so they don’t stick together. Spray each piece of chicken’s top with cooking spray.
• Fry for 6 minutes at 360 degrees. Flip the chicken pieces and place them in an air fryer. Spray the tops with cooking spray. Turn the oven to 400°F and continue cooking for 2 minutes or until crispy and cooked through. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your nuggets and your air fryer.

Instructions for Freezing the Chicken Nuggets:

After 6 minutes of cooking at 360°F, let the nuggets cool. Then, place them in a container or bag that is freezer-safe and freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then heat at 380° until golden and crispy.

Variations:

• Healthy Chicken Nuggets are made with wheat flour and panko instead of all-purpose flour.
• Gluten-free: Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.
• Spicy Chicken Nuggets: Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of cayenne peppers to the flour mixture.
• Oven-baked chicken nuggets: Prepare the same recipe and bake at 400°F for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken and continue cooking for 5-10 minutes or until it is cooked through. You can also try my Popcorn Chicken recipe. ).

Pin the image below if you like these crispy chicken nuggets!

Ingredients

• 2 lb of chicken breasts (boneless), cut into 1 1/2-inch cube
• 1/2 cup of pickle juice
•  1/2 cup of milk
•  1 large egg

For the Breading:

• 1 cup of flour, all-purpose
• 3 TBSP of powdered Sugar
• 1/2 tsp of paprika
• 1/2 tsp of Chili powder
• 1 tsp of freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 – 2 tsp of Cayenne Pepper *optional, to make chicken nuggets spicier

Recipe

• Marinate: Cut the chicken into 1.5-inch pieces. Place the pickle juice in a bowl or ziplock bag and let marinate for 30 min.
• Make the bread: Combine flour, baking powder, chili powder, and black pepper in a ziplock bag.
• Mix together milk, egg, and butter in a separate bowl. Pre-heat the air fryer to 360°
• Place the chicken pieces in a ziplock bag and let the egg mixture drip off. To evenly coat the chicken, seal and shake the bag.
• Spray the bottom and sides of the frying pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place half the pieces of chicken in a single layer. Space them apart, so they don’t stick together. Spray each piece of chicken’s top with cooking spray.
• Fry for 6 minutes at 360 degrees. Flip the chicken pieces and place them in an air fryer. Spray the tops with cooking spray. Turn the fryer to 400°F and continue cooking for 2 minutes or until crispy and cooked through. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your nuggets and your air fryer.

Yield: About 30 nuggets

Variations:

• Healthy Chicken Nuggets are made with wheat flour and panko instead of all-purpose flour.
• Gluten-free: Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.
• Spicy Chicken Nuggets: Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of cayenne peppers to the flour mixture.
• Oven-baked chicken nuggets: Prepare the same recipe and bake at 400°F for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken and continue cooking for 5-10 minutes or until it is cooked through. You can also try my Popcorn Chicken recipe. ).

Frozen Chicken Nuggets – Which Brand is Best?

Many brands offer different sizes and thicknesses for chicken nuggets. For a few nuggets, try a small batch. Once you have cooked a few batches, you can determine your brand’s best temp and cooking time. You will also notice a decrease in crispy time the more you cook it. You should be flexible and ensure the nuggets have been cooked to your satisfaction.

Frozen chicken nuggets made from organic brands are great for use in the fryer. Organic brands are great for consuming more chicken nuggets; you can eat them without worrying about what you eat!

Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets

Many factors influence the outcome of frozen chicken nuggets cooking. You will need to adjust the timing because they all have different sizes, thicknesses, and coatings. Don’t fill the basket with too many chicken nuggets. This will make it difficult to cook evenly. Only fill a single layer with chicken nuggets. Air fryers cook at different temperatures. After you have cooked your first batch, you will be able to determine what size and type of food work best for you. These recipes were tested with basket-style air fryers.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces (170 g) Frozen Chicken Nuggets

Recipe

• The frozen chicken nuggets should be placed in an air fryer basket. Spread them out evenly. You don’t need to spray oil.
• Air fry at 360 F/205 C  for 6-8 minutes
• Flip the nuggets and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes at 360degF/205degC or until crispy.

Calories: 453 kcal Carbohydrates: 25g Protein: 43g Fat: 19g Saturated Fat: 4g Cholesterol: 147mg Sodium: 712mg Potassium: 501mg Fiber: 1g Sugar: 5g Vitamin A: 390 IU Calcium: 71mg Iron: 3mg

Have You Made This Recipe?

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