Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Minis

Have you ever met someone who doesn't like Chick-fil-A?

I'm sure you haven't, because it's not even possible to dislike Chick-fil-A.

Austin and I love Chick-fil-A. One of our favorite things there is the Chick-n-Minis. They're soft honey butter rolls . . .

. . . with Chick-fil-A nuggets inside. 

We've been making Chick-fil-A nuggets at home for some time now, but we've only just recently discovered that you can make Chick-n-Minis at home. Best way to start off 2016, if you ask me! 

These seriously taste exactly like the Chick-n-Minis at Chick-fil-A. 

Chick-fil-A Chick-n Minis Copycat

Yields: 24 chicken minis (6-8 servings)

Rolls

1 tbsp (1 packet) yeast

1 cup warm water

3-4 cups flour

1 egg

1 tsp salt

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup veggie or canola oil

2 tbsp butter, melted

1. In a medium bowl, combine warm water, 1 tbsp of the sugar, and the yeast. Let it bloom for 5-10 minutes. 

2. To the yeast mixture, add the egg, salt, remaining sugar, and oil. Stir with a spoon to mix, 20 seconds or so. Put flour into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add the yeast mixture to the flour and mix/knead until all the flour is incorporated. 

3. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Roll out to 1/2" on a lightly floured surface. Butter a 9x13 pan and spread the remaining butter on the dough. Cut into 24 squares using a pizza cutter. Let rise, covered, until doubled in size. 

4. Bake at 350 degrees fahrenheit for 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden. Brush with honey, if desired. 

Chick-fil-A Nuggets

1 egg

1 cup milk

1 lb chicken breasts or tenders, cut into 1" pieces

1 1/4 cup flour

2 tbsp powdered sugar

2 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp cayenne

1/4 tsp paprika

Oil for frying

1. Combine egg and milk. Add chicken and soak in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight. 

2. Combine the dry ingredients in a bag. Heat up oil to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Add a couple of pieces of chicken to the dry ingredients and shake. Add them to the hot oil and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown. 

3. Remove onto a paper towel and put inside honey-butter rolls. Enjoy while they're hot! 

Brioche Buns

The difference between store-bought bread and homemade bread is unbelievable.

Brioche is a type of French bread that contains butter and eggs, making the crumb richer and more tender.

These homemade buns are perfect for hamburgers, sliders, shredded pork or chicken sandwiches, or just to enjoy with butter and jam! 

One of the best parts about these buns is that they stay fresh for several days after you make them! So even though there are just two of us right now, I always make the full recipe (which makes 8 buns) and we munch on them for days. 

Brioche Buns

Makes 8 large buns (you can adjust the size as you desire)

1 cup warm water

2 tsp yeast

2 tbsp sugar

2 eggs, divided use

3 1/3 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp salt

2 1/2 tbsp butter, softened

1. Combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir until dissolved and let it stand 5 minutes, until foamy. 

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, salt, and butter. Turn on the mixer with a paddle attachment until the butter makes small crumbs. 

3. Stir in one egg and yeast mixture. Using the dough hook attachment, knead for 6-8 minutes. Add more flour if necessary so the dough isn't too sticky. The dough should remove from the sides of the bowl, but not the bottom. 

4. Let rise, covered,  in a slightly warm oven, until doubled in size (45 minutes or so). Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and shape into round balls. Cover and let rise in a slightly warm oven until they're puffy. 

5. Brush with a beaten egg and bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Place a pan with some water in it in the oven with the buns. 

6. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.