We had to taste it to believe it.
There’s no denying that Chick-fil-A’s nuggets are in a league of their own; no other fast food chicken product can compare to these meaty, succulent chunks of chicken, with their signature hint of pickle juice and tender breading. I know chicken nugs are categorically designated as “kids’ food,” but age aside, I’ve met very few poultry-consuming people in my life who can turn their nose up at a CFA nugget.
That being the case, when our team heard tell that Sam’s Club offers an extremely convincing copycat of these golden Chick-fil-A treasures, we knew we needed to taste for ourselves and immediately sent out our only editor with a SC membership to secure a package. We prepared the frozen Member’s Mark Southern Style Chicken Bites according to the (strikingly familiar) red and white bag’s directions for a conventional oven—and folks, even our most skeptical tasters were impressed. I wouldn’t consider myself a Level 4 Master Fast Food Connoisseur or anything, but let’s just say I am no stranger to a drive-thru, and even I was caught off guard by how closely these nuggets resemble the real deal.
Texturally, we found that not crowding the nuggets on your sheet pan is key to achieving optimal crispiness. The Member’s Mark packaging also includes instructions for preparing the nuggets in an air fryer, which our team agrees is a pro use for the appliance. In terms of flavor, tasters noted that the copycat nuggets definitely delivered on the dill pickle flavor they’d expect and were pleased with the succulence of the meat. The major difference we noticed between the Member’s Mark Chicken Bites and Chick-fil-A’s nuggets is that the Sam’s Club frozen product delivered a slightly milder punch of lick-lipping salty flavor compared to the OG fast food nugs; which after further research, we attributed to the frozen product’s lack of MSG.
Additionally, the packaging claims the chicken nuggets to be free of artificial flavors, artificial preservatives, artificial colors, and added hormones/steroids. And at $9.98 for a 3-pound bag, the Southern Style Chicken Bites are budget-friendly to boot.
Point being, we can very much see where having a bag of these copycat Chick-fil-A nuggets stashed in the freezer would pay off. Next time you find yourself utterly spent towards the end of an unexpectedly hectic day, toss a pan-full into the oven and pair with blanched green beans for an effortless meal you won’t have to fight your kids on. Need to throw together an inexpensive snack platter for a casual party? Prepare a whole bag and serve ‘em up with this Copycat Chick-fil-A Honey Mustard. And most importantly, never again suffer through a Sunday Chick-fil-A craving unsatisfied.
UPDATE: May 1, 2019 at 2:17 p.m.
Sam's Club released its Southern Style Chicken Bites last summer, and they immediately threw people into a frenzy—some even declared they're better than Chick-fil-A's nuggets.
Starting this week, you can now get them in the café at your local Sam's Club for only $2.50 (for 12-14 nuggets)! Not a member? You don’t have to be to eat in the café. In case you need a quick recap, they're made with 100% white meat chicken and covered with a crispy breading that has a hint of dill. Meet ya there!
More From DelishORIGINAL POST: August 24, 2018 at 5:11 p.m.
Without fail, whenever I crave Chick-fil-A, it's on a Sunday. I know I'm not alone in this, because the good people of Twitter — and my equally nugget-loving friends — have backed me up.
This content is imported from twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
I stay craving chick-fil-a on Sundays😩
— Victoria Sparkman 🌵 (@VictoriaSparkm1) August 19, 2018
This content is imported from twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
I always be craving chick fil a when it’s Sunday maannn 😩
— kiko_101 (@kiko_101ttv) August 19, 2018
But despite the fast-food chain's commitment to staying closed on the day of rest, there's a new workaround, and it comes from Sam's Club. The big-box store recently added Southern Style Chicken Bites to stores, and people swear they taste just like Chick-fil-A nuggets. They've even got the "hint of dill," making them taste more like a full Chick-fil-A sandwich (though despite much discussion, the chicken is not soaked in pickle juice).
Commenters on Sam's Club's website have said the chicken tastes "Just like Chick-fil-A!" and is "Very similar to CFA but you can make them at home — need I say more? They’re easy for nights I don’t feel like cooking or grabbing take out." A few people recommended putting them in an air fryer, if you have one at home.
A YouTube video with more than a million views shows one mom and son trying the new nuggets, along with homemade Chick-fil-A and Polynesian sauces, waffle fries, and loaded french fries. (Invite us over for dinner, please!) "I would swear that came straight from Chick-Fil-A y’all," she says in the video.
The red-checkered bag comes with a three-pound supply of nuggets, and can be found in Sam's Club stores for $9.98. The chicken is made with 100 percent solid white meat, FYI.
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Madison Flager is the Lifestyle Editor at Delish.com; she covers food news and trends, travel-worthy food experiences, and the products you need in your kitchen right now. She has a deep love of coffee and manchego cheese.
This content is imported from twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.