What Sauces Does Chick-Fil-A Have, Taste Test & Pairings

What Sauces Does Chick-Fil-A Have, Taste Test & PairingsPin
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Let’s face it: many of us have an unhealthy obsession with Chick-fil-A sauces. As a self-proclaimed connoisseur of their delectable condiments, I’m here to share my extensive knowledge to help you navigate the sauce menu. Whether you’re trying to determine the difference between the zesty sriracha and the smoky BBQ sauce or want to know how long an unopened Polynesian packet will last in your fridge, I’ve got you covered.

Chick-fil-A has many sauces: from a classic Chick-fil-A sauce to barbeque sauce, honey roasted BBQ sauce, sweet & spicy sriracha sauce, honey mustard sauce, zesty buffalo sauce, and garden herb ranch sauce, to, finally, the one for the vegans — Polynesian sauce.

In this definitive guide, I’ll walk you through some sauces this fast food brand offers, including tasting notes to help you find your perfect match. By the time you finish reading, you’ll be a Chick-fil-A sauce expert, ready to make your next meal your best.

List of Chick-Fil-A Sauces & What They Taste Like

You really can’t go wrong with any of Chick-fil-A’s delicious sauces. I hope this guide and the table summary will help shed some light on each flavor and the best pairings. 

Whether you like your food kicked up with some zesty Polynesian sauce, balanced by the cool and creamy Garlic & Herb Ranch dressing, or kept classic with Chick-fil-A sauce, there’s an option for every taste. 

Chick-fil-A Barbeque Sauce

Chick-fil-A Barbeque SaucePin

The Chick-fil-A Barbeque Sauce is my personal favorite. When I want a tangy, smoky kick, this is what I reach for. Made of tomato puree, molasses, honey or brown sugar, vinegar, and spices, it has a nice balance of sweet and savory with subtle hints of chili and mustard. 

I like to pair it with the Spicy Chicken Sandwich or Grilled Nuggets for extra flavor, though it also works great as a dipping sauce for waffle fries.

To replicate it, combine ketchup, molasses, honey, cider vinegar, chili powder, mustard, garlic, and onion to recreate it at home. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, then blend until smooth. 

The sauce will last up to 1 month in the fridge, so make a big batch and use it on everything from burgers to meatloaf! Unfortunately, it’s not gluten-free or vegan, but it’s worth the indulgence for most.

RELATED:

What Sauces Does Burger King Have, Taste Test & Pairings

Classic Chick-fil-A Sauce

Chick-fil-A Classic Chick-fil-A SaucePin

The Classic Chick-fil-A sauce is many’s personal favorite. The tangy, savory flavor complements their chicken so well. This sauce is also known as a mashup of their ranch, barbeque, and honey mustard sauces.

The ingredients are simple: ketchup, honey, Dijon mustard, and barbeque seasoning. When mixed, these create a delectable sauce that’s a little sweet, a little spicy, and a whole lot delicious.

  • Ketchup provides a tomatoey base and subtle sweetness
  • Honey adds a touch of sweetness to balance the kick of the mustard
  • Dijon mustard gives it a zesty, spicy flavor
  • Barbeque seasoning provides a savory, smoky finish

This sauce pairs perfectly with their chicken sandwiches, nuggets, and strips. I also like to dip my fries, tater tots, and hash browns. If you want to mix things up, try it with their grilled chicken or in place of mayonnaise on a wrap or salad. The possibilities are endless!

The recipe to make Chick-fil-A sauce at home is simple, with just a few ingredients. Mix three parts ketchup, 1 part honey, 1 part Dijon mustard, and your favorite barbeque seasoning. Add more honey for extra sweetness or more mustard for some kick. Refrigerate for up to 1 month. 

Chick-fil-A Polynesian Sauce

Chick-fil-A Polynesian SaucePin

Their Polynesian Sauce has a delicious blend of sweet and savory flavors that pair well with many menu items.

The ingredients are simple but classic: tomato paste, corn syrup, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, vinegar, chili peppers, and spices. This mix of sweet honey and molasses with savory soy sauce, garlic, and ginger gives it a kick of flavor that’s not too spicy but still has a little heat.

I like to dip my nuggets, fries, and sometimes even my sandwich in the Polynesian sauce. The sweet and tangy flavor complements the fried items perfectly. It also pairs nicely with grilled chicken items and salads to add a bit of extra flavor. For the ultimate flavor combination, dip your waffle fries in the Polynesian sauce — the mix of sweet and starchy is delicious!

If you want to make the Polynesian sauce at home, simply combine corn syrup, soy sauce, tomato paste, rice vinegar or lime juice, grated fresh ginger, minced garlic, and your favorite chili sauce like sriracha to taste. Simmer for a few minutes, then let cool. The flavors will intensify as it cools. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several weeks.

Chick-fil-A Honey Mustard Sauce

Chick-fil-A Honey Mustard SaucePin

I love honey mustard sauce’s tangy sweetness to Chick-fil-A’s waffle fries and grilled nuggets. 

According to Chick-fil-A, the ingredients are honey, mustard (water, vinegar, mustard seed, salt, turmeric, paprika), sugar, water, egg yolk, and spices.

  • Waffle fries: The honey mustard is perfect for dipping Chick-fil-A’s signature waffle fries. The sweet and savory combo can’t be beaten.
  • Grilled nuggets: Brush the honey mustard on Chick-fil-A’s grilled chicken nuggets for extra flavor without the guilt.
  • Salads: Drizzle the honey mustard on a Cobb salad or a chicken salad for a bright pop of flavor.

To make honey mustard at home, simply whisk together equal parts honey and Dijon mustard. Add some water to thin it out, and adjust the honey for your desired sweetness. The honey mustard will last for several weeks refrigerated.

Chick-fil-A Honey Roasted BBQ Sauce

Chick-fil-A Honey Roasted BBQ SaucePin

The Honey Roasted BBQ sauce has the perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors that pair well with almost anything on Chick-fil-A’s menu.

The honey provides a subtle sweetness that’s balanced by the tangy BBQ flavor. It’s thick and rich and coats everything in a delicious glaze. The blend of honey and spices gives it a warm, cozy flavor that reminds me of Autumn.

This versatile sauce goes well with chicken sandwiches, nuggets, and strips. I also like to dip my waffle fries in it for extra flavor. If I’m feeling adventurous, I’ll even add a bit to my milkshake or frosted coffee for a sweet and savory twist.

The ingredients are simple – ketchup, honey, brown sugar, mustard, and a blend of spices like garlic, onion, chili, and paprika. Mix everything in a saucepan over low heat until well combined. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until thickened. 

Chick-fil-A Sweet & Spicy Sriracha Sauce

Chick-fil-A Sweet & Spicy Sriracha SaucePin

This one adds flavor to everything with just the right amount of heat and sweetness. 

The sriracha sauce has a blend of jalapeno peppers, chili garlic sauce, and sugar, creating a spicy-sweet flavor with a little kick of heat. It’s not too spicy for most people but gives sandwiches, salads, and waffle fries an extra flavor boost.

The Sweet & Spicy Sriracha pairs perfectly with the Spicy Southwest Salad, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, and Waffle Fries. The spice cuts through the creaminess of the coleslaw and cheese, and the sweetness complements the barbeque-flavored items. I like to dip my waffle fries in the sriracha sauce for extra flavor.

Combine sriracha chili sauce, ketchup, soy sauce, and a pinch of garlic powder to make a homemade version. Simmer for a few minutes, then let cool. The sriracha provides the heat; ketchup adds sweetness; soy sauce helps balance the flavors, and garlic powder enhances the overall taste.

Chick-fil-A Zesty Buffalo Sauce

Chick-fil-A Zesty Buffalo SaucePin

With its blend of hot peppers and vinegar, this sauce packs some heat that builds as you eat. Some of the perfect pairings include:

  • Grilled or crispy chicken sandwiches are always a good choice, as the zing of the buffalo sauce complements the chicken perfectly.
  • Waffle fries are ideal for dipping in the buffalo sauce. The starchy, crispy fries help temper the spiciness.
  • A cold drink, like an icy Coke, sweet tea, or lemonade, helps balance out the heat from the buffalo sauce.

Chick-fil-A Garden Herb Ranch Sauce

Chick-fil-A Garden Herb Ranch SaucePin

The Garden Herb Ranch sauce has a creamy and tangy blend of buttermilk, herbs like dill and chives, and spices. 

  • Tangy and creamy from the buttermilk base
  • Fresh herbal flavors from the dill, chives, and parsley
  • A hint of garlic and black pepper for a kick
  • Thick and dippable consistency

The Garden Herb Ranch sauce adds freshness and tang to balance out the rich fried foods on Chick-fil-A’s menu. 

  • Chicken sandwiches and nuggets — the cool ranch complements the hot, crispy chicken.
  • Waffle fries — perfect for dipping the waffle fries. The starchy fries pair great with the creamy sauce.
  • Salads — also great drizzled on top of a Cobb salad or grilled chicken salad.

How Long Do Chick-Fil-A Sauces Last?

Unopened sauces can be stored in the pantry for several months. Generally, consume all unopened sauces within six months for the best quality and flavor. Once opened, Chick-fil-A sauces should be consumed within 1 to 2 weeks. As with any perishable condiment, check for signs of spoilage before using, such as mold or unpleasant odors.

What Chick-Fil-A Sauces Are Gluten-Free?

Most Chick-Fil-A sauces are gluten-free. The honey mustard, barbeque, Polynesian, garden herb ranch sauce, zesty buffalo sauce, honey roasted BBQ sauce, and their classic sauce are all gluten-free so that you can dip your waffle fries and nuggets to your heart’s content.

What Chick-Fil-A Sauces Are Vegan?

Unfortunately, most of Chick-fil-A’s signature sauces aren’t vegan. They all contain ingredients derived from animals, like dairy, eggs, or honey. If you want to opt for a vegan version of Chick-fil-A’s sauce, you can try their Polynesian sauce. 

How Big Are Chick-Fil-A Sauces?

Chick-fil-A 8-oz Packets of SaucesPin

The Chick-fil-A sauce sizes are perfect for any meal. The smallest size, ideal for dipping nuggets or adding flavor to sandwiches and salads. Each packet contains about 1 ounce (28g) of sauce. However, the best thing is that Chick-fil-A also offers its sauces in 8-ounce (226 g) containers if you want to stock up or need a larger size for a group.

What’s your go-to Chick-fil-A combination? I would love to read all about it in the comments below!

Chick-fil-A SauceTastePairings
Barbeque Saucetangy, smoky kickSpicy Chicken Sandwich or Grilled Nuggets 
Classic Chick-fil-A Saucea mashup of their ranch, barbeque, and honey mustard sauceschicken sandwiches, nuggets, and strips
Polynesian Sauceblend of sweet and savory flavorsdip for nuggets, fries
Honey Mustard Saucetangy sweetnessChick-fil-A’s waffle fries and grilled nuggets
Honey Roasted BBQ Sauceblend of sweet and savory flavorsChicken sandwiches, nuggets, salads
Sweet & Spicy Sriracha Saucejust the right amount of heat and sweetnessSpicy Southwest Salad, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, and Waffle Fries
Zesty Buffalo Saucepacks some heat that builds as you eatGrilled or crispy chicken sandwiches, waffle fries
Garden Herb Ranch Saucetangy and creamychicken sandwiches, nuggets, salads
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