Easy Copycat Chick-fil-A® Chick-n-Minis® Recipe (At Home!)
If you’ve ever craved those warm, slightly sweet Chick-fil-A® Chick-n-Minis® on a busy morning, you’re not alone. That soft, buttery roll… the juicy little chicken nugget inside… and that hint of honey on top? It’s comfort food in bite‑size form. Today, I’m sharing my copycat Chick-n-Minis® recipe you can make right in your own kitchen. It’s simple, family-friendly, and you don’t need any fancy tools.About Chick-fil-A® and Their Famous Chick-n-Minis®
Chick-fil-A® is known across the USA for its friendly service, soft buttery buns, and crispy, juicy chicken. Walk into one of their restaurants in the morning, and you’ll often smell warm yeast rolls, fried chicken, and that slightly sweet aroma that just says “breakfast.” Chick-n-Minis® are one of their most iconic breakfast items. They’re basically:- Small, pillowy yeast rolls
- Stuffed with bite-sized pieces of fried chicken
- Brushed with a light honey-butter glaze
- Warm, soft bread
- Lightly crisp chicken
- A touch of sweet and salty buttery goodness
Why You’ll Love This Copycat Chick-n-Minis® Recipe
- Easy ingredients: Everything can be found at a regular grocery store.
- Great for meal prep: Make a batch and reheat all week for breakfast.
- Kid-friendly: Perfect size for little hands…and grown-up snackers.
- Flexible: Bake, pan fry, or air fry the chicken.
Copycat Chick-n-Minis® Recipe
This recipe has two parts:- Soft mini yeast rolls (you can also use frozen dinner rolls for a shortcut)
- Crispy chicken nuggets with a simple honey-butter glaze
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| Warm homemade Chick-n-Minis with crispy chicken, soft rolls, and sweet honey butter — an easy copycat breakfast favorite |
Recipe Overview
- Servings: About 24 mini sandwiches
- Prep time: 35–45 minutes (plus rise time if making rolls from scratch)
- Cook time: 20–25 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour (or 2–2½ hours if making homemade rolls)
Ingredients
A. For the Mini Rolls (From Scratch Option)
If you want to save time, skip this and see the “Simple Shortcut Version” section below.- 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 1 packet (2¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F — warm but not hot)
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (plus more for brushing)
- 1 large egg
B. For the Crispy Chicken Nuggets
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into 1½-inch pieces
- ½ cup dill pickle juice (from a jar of pickles)
- ½ cup buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 teaspoon vinegar)
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder (for extra crispiness)
- Oil for frying (such as peanut, canola, or vegetable oil)
C. Honey-Butter Glaze
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2–3 teaspoons honey (adjust to your taste)
- Pinch of salt
Food Safety Notes
- Always cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer if you have one.
- Keep raw chicken separate from ready-to-eat foods and wash hands and surfaces after handling.
- Don’t reuse marinades or coatings that touched raw chicken unless you cook them thoroughly.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together:- ½ cup dill pickle juice
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours for more flavor.
This pickle juice + buttermilk combo helps tenderize the chicken and gives that classic Chick-fil-A style flavor.
Step 2: Make the Mini Rolls (From Scratch)
If using frozen rolls, skip to Step 3.1. In a small bowl, combine warm milk (about 110°F) and sugar. Sprinkle yeast on top, stir lightly, and let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, add:
- 2½ cups flour
- Salt
4. Turn onto a floured surface and knead, adding a little more flour as needed, for about 5–8 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
5. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
6. Punch down the dough and divide into 24 equal pieces. Shape each into a small ball and place close together in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
7. Cover and let rise again for about 30 minutes, until puffy.
8. Bake at 375°F for about 12–15 minutes, until lightly golden on top.
9. Brush with melted butter while still warm.
Step 3: Coat and Fry the Chicken
1. In a shallow bowl, mix together:- Flour
- Cornstarch
- Salt
- Pepper
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Baking powder
3. Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, pressing gently so the coating sticks. Place on a plate or wire rack.
4. Heat 1½–2 inches of oil in a heavy pot or deep skillet to about 350°F.
5. Fry chicken in batches, without crowding the pan, for about 3–5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
6. Check that the thickest piece reaches at least 165°F internally.
7. Place cooked chicken on a paper towel–lined plate or wire rack to drain.
Step 4: Make the Honey-Butter Glaze
1. In a small bowl, stir together melted butter, honey, and a pinch of salt.2. Taste and adjust: want sweeter? Add a little more honey.
Step 5: Assemble Your Copycat Chick-n-Minis®
1. If your rolls are touching (like pull-apart rolls), gently separate them into individual pieces.2. Slice each mini roll horizontally, like a tiny hamburger bun.
3. Place 1–2 chicken nuggets inside each roll.
4. Brush the tops of the rolls with the warm honey-butter glaze.
Serve warm and enjoy that mix of soft, sweet, crispy, and savory in every bite.
Approximate Nutrition (Per Mini Sandwich)
These numbers will vary based on exact ingredients and cooking method, but here’s a rough estimate:- Calories: ~140–160
- Protein: 8–10 g
- Carbs: 14–18 g
- Fat: 5–7 g
- Fiber: ~1 g
- Sugar: 3–5 g
Super Simple Shortcut Version
Short on time or energy? Here’s the easy route that still tastes amazing.Use Store-Bought Rolls
Use:- Frozen yeast dinner rolls (like Rhodes or Sister Schubert's)
- Or refrigerated canned dinner rolls
- Or small Hawaiian-style rolls for extra sweetness
Use Air Fryer for the Chicken
1. Follow the marinate and coating steps as written.2. Spray your air fryer basket with nonstick spray.
3. Place coated chicken pieces in a single layer, not touching.
4. Lightly spray the tops with oil.
5. Air fry at 375°F for about 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and 165°F in the center.
Or, for the quickest version of all:
Use store-bought breaded chicken nuggets (bake or air fry according to package), then pop them into warm buttered rolls and glaze with honey-butter. Not exact, but delicious and fast.
Allergy-Friendly & Special Diet Swaps
Everyone should be able to enjoy a warm, buttery mini sandwich. Here are some ideas:Gluten-Free
- Use gluten-free dinner rolls or small gluten-free buns.
- Replace flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend.
- Check that your pickle juice and seasonings are labeled gluten-free.
Dairy-Free
- Use plant-based butter for the rolls and glaze.
- Use dairy-free milk (like soy or almond) instead of milk/buttermilk; add 1 teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice to make it “tangy.”
Egg-Free
- Skip the egg in the marinade; just use pickle juice and non-dairy milk.
- For the dough, replace the egg with 3 tablespoons of unsweetened applesauce or a store-bought egg replacer.
Paleo / Low-Carb Inspired
These won’t be true Chick-n-Minis®, but you can capture some of the flavor:- Use almond flour or coconut flour to coat the chicken instead of regular flour.
- Serve chicken pieces in lettuce wraps or on low-carb slider buns.
- Use a small drizzle of honey or a sugar-free honey-style syrup in the glaze.
Make-Ahead, Freezing, and Reheating Tips
- Chicken: Cook, cool, then freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, move to a freezer bag. Reheat in an oven or air fryer at 350°F until hot and crispy.
- Rolls: Bake, cool completely, then freeze in a sealed bag. Thaw at room temperature and warm in a 300°F oven for a few minutes.
- Assembled minis: Best fresh, but you can reheat briefly in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5–8 minutes. Add a little extra honey-butter after reheating if they seem dry.
How to Serve Your Copycat Chick-n-Minis®
These little sandwiches are great for:- Weekend breakfast or brunch
- Game day spreads
- Kids’ sleepovers
- Quick on-the-go snacks
- Fresh fruit
- Hash browns
- Scrambled eggs
- Orange juice or hot coffee
Let’s Talk: Your Turn to Try These!
Have you tried the original Chick-fil-A® Chick-n-Minis® before? How do you think this copycat version stacks up? If you make this recipe:- Leave a comment and tell me how it went.
- Share your tweaks—did you use an air fryer, frozen rolls, or gluten-free swaps?
- Snap a photo and share it with friends or on social media so others can try it too.
Important Disclaimers
This recipe is a copycat Chick-n-Minis® recipe created for home cooks. It is not the original Chick-fil-A® recipe, and I have no inside knowledge of their proprietary methods, ingredients, or processes. Chick-fil-A® and Chick-n-Minis® are registered trademarks of Chick-fil-A, Inc. This recipe is simply an inspired homemade version.
Affiliate Disclosure: Simply Copycat Recipes is an Amazon affiliate. That means we may earn a small commission if you purchase products through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend items we genuinely believe can help you in your kitchen.
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