Chick-fil-A Has a Secret Menu and We’re Obsessed
Updated: Jan. 12, 2023
Ask (politely) for these Chick-fil-A hidden menu items next time you stop by!
Chick-fil-A has a secret, and it’s my pleasure to share: the chain has a whole host of secret menu items! Some are so good they’ve arguably become even more popular than the regular menu items, according to Hack the Menu. There’s no “official” secret menu, but it seems the less complicated a special item is, the more likely employees will make it for you. Bonus: We’ve got the Chick-fil-A sauce recipe, too!
What’s on the Chick-fil-A Secret Menu?
Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
This is simply the Spicy Chicken Sandwich plus the signature Zesty Buffalo Sauce. You end up with a crispy buffalo chicken sandwich that’s loaded with dill pickles chips, and it’s delish!
Spicy Char
The Spicy Char, which is a grilled version of the Spicy Chicken Sandwich, is one of the most famous of Chick-fil-A’s secret menu items. In fact, this one is most likely available just by asking for it by its full name: the Spicy Char-Grilled Chicken Patty. (Not available at your local Chick-fil-A? You can make spicy char-broiled chicken at home with this Spicy Barbecue Chicken recipe.)
Fried Chicken Club
So the Spicy Char is the grilled version of a fried sandwich, and the Fried Chicken Club is the fried version of a grilled sandwich. It’s a tasty twist on the classic Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich. If it’s not available by name, ask for fried chicken instead of the grilled patty in your usual Club sandwich.
Chicken, Egg & Cheese Biscuit
The regular menu includes a Chicken, Egg & Cheese Bagel, but you can also ask for it on a biscuit to make a buttery Chicken, Egg & Cheese Biscuit.
Psst…. Biscuits calling your name? Don’t miss our most flaky biscuit recipes.
Spicy Chicken, Egg & Cheese Bagel
If your local Chick-fil-A has Spicy Chicken during the breakfast shift, you’ll be in luck! This sandwich is well-known enough that you can ask for it by name.
(Chick-fil-A isn’t the only chain with a secret menu. Here’s what to order from the secret menu at Taco Bell, Burger King and other restaurants.)
Chicken on Anything at Breakfast
We’ve heard from Chick-fil-A employees and former employees that because chicken is on the chain’s breakfast menu, you can customize pretty much any breakfast sandwich by adding chicken. For any locations that (secretly) have Spicy Chicken during the breakfast shift, make that a Spicy Chicken plus the Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit!
Bacon on Anything at Breakfast
You also can customize pretty much any Chick-fil-A breakfast sandwich by adding bacon. Hello, Hash Brown Scramble Burrito with Bacon!
Seeing a trend? You can pretty much ask for anything that’s on the menu to be added to anything else, and if it’s not too complicated, and your server’s not too busy, there’s a good chance you’ll get exactly what you want. Woo!
Grilled Cheese
For a no-meat meal, the bun from any sandwich can be toasted with sliced cheese. Think you might want pickle chips, lettuce and tomato, too? Order a Chick-fil-A Deluxe, hold the chicken.
Try These Chick-fil-A Copycat Recipes
Inspired By: Chick-fil-A Cobb SaladThis "skinny" version of Cobb salad has all the taste and creaminess with half the fat and calories. You can skip the coleslaw mix and do all lettuce, but I like the crunch you get with cabbage. —Taylor Kiser, Brandon, Florida
Fun fact: Did you know Chick-fil-A salad dressings are coming to their menu in 2023?
Inspired By: Fresh Brewed Sweet TeaA pinch of baking soda eliminates bitterness in this smooth and easy-to-sip tea and it has just the right amount of sugar so it's not overly sweet. —kelseylouise, Taste of Home Community Member
Fried Chicken StripsI recently made this recipe of Mom's for my in-laws and they told me it was the "best fried chicken ever." Slicing the chicken breasts into strips cuts down on cooking time and ensures every piece is crunchy and evenly coated. Serve the homemade chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce. —Genny Monchamp, Redding, California
Inspired By: Fresh-Squeezed LemonadeA friend suggested I add a sprig of rosemary to lemonade. The herb makes the drink taste fresh and light, and it's a pretty garnish. —Dixie Graham, Rancho Cucamonga, California
Loaded Waffle FriesMake any dinner fun with my Loaded Waffle Fries, topped with a savory blend of cheese, scallions and bacon. I copied this family-favorite recipe from a local restaurant, and it's great with hot dogs, burgers or by itself. —Jeffrey Viccone, Decatur, Illinois
Star-Spangled ParfaitsThe best time for this dessert is midsummer, when the blueberries are thick in our northern woods. Red raspberries can be added to the mixed berries, too, to brighten the patriotic colors.—Anne Theriault, Wellesley, Massachusetts
Crunchy Asian Chicken SaladI love their crunchy, citrusy salad so much that once I made my husband drive an hour to the nearest Applebee's restaurant just so I could eat it! It was time to come up with my own version. I'm completely happy with the results—and my husband is, too! Find more of my recipes at my blog, mandysrecipeboxblog.com. —Mandy Bird, Holbrook, Idaho
Spiced Pumpkin Coffee ShakesThe winter holidays are my favorite time of year, and this spiced pumpkin drink is one reason I love the season so much. If you don't have a coffee maker, it's OK to use instant coffee—just make it stronger. —Kathie Perez, East Peoria, Illinois
Inspired By: Barbeque SauceI've never cared that much for store bought barbecue sauce. I just like to make things myself from scratch including this spicy, deep red-brown sauce. You'll find it clings well when you slather it on grilled meat. —Helena Georgette Mann, Sacramento, California
Breakfast BurritosI discovered breakfast burritos at a workshop of holiday breakfasts offered at our church. It was a big hit! It works really well when you're cooking for a crowd. I like to serve salsa or hot sauce with them. —Catherine Allan, Twin Falls, Idaho
Strawberry Lemonade
This may be most well-known and most widely available secret menu item. In fact, you may be able to ask for it by name. If your server doesn’t know what exactly you’re talking about, simply explain you want a lemonade with a scoop of the topping they use for strawberry milkshakes.
Here’s a Strawberry Lemonade Smoothie you can make at home, too.
Root Beer Float
Another of the more well-known and widely available secret menu items, the Root Beer Float is simply a serving of vanilla ice cream added to your cup of root beer. How about some Root Beer Float-inspired cookies to go with that?
Chocolate Cookies & Cream Milkshake
So easy–ask for a couple of pumps of chocolate syrup with your Cookies & Cream milkshake.
Have you heard about the secret Chick-fil-A restaurant with a Hawaiian theme? Here’s everything you need to know about Truett’s Luau.
Get more chicken.
Tex-Mex Chicken StripsI was looking for a way to amp up the flavor of regular chicken strips so I crushed up some leftover corn chips to create a crispy, flavorful coating. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
Gnocchi with Spinach and Chicken SausageDinner is easy when I can use ingredients typically found in my fridge and pantry. —Laura Miller, Lake Ann, Michigan
Easy Buffalo Chicken Lettuce WrapsOne time when making sloppy joes, I wanted mine spicy, so I doused it in hot sauce. After that, my mind went wild and I made it Buffalo chicken-style with ground chicken, diced celery and blue cheese crumbles. I've been making it this way ever since. —Jennifer Nielson, Spanish Fork, Utah
Mango Salsa Chicken with Veggie HashThis hash has the fresh flavors of spring. Using precooked grilled chicken strips makes the meal come together quickly. And the veggies make the dish so pretty! —Lori Mclain, Denton, Texas
Pressure-Cooker Spicy Lime ChickenThis tender chicken with light lime flavor is a natural filling for tacos, but my son Austin also loves it spooned over cooked rice and sprinkled with his favorite taco toppings. —Christine Hair, Odessa, Florida
Basil Chicken Sandwiches"I got the inspiration for this recipe when I knew my parents and in-laws were coming to see our new home," shares Kerry Durgin Krebs of New Market, Maryland. "My mother-in-law has food allergies, my father-in-law has some very specific food preferences and my parents appreciate light meals. I created this chicken sandwich with fresh basil for our lunch."
Quick Chicken Lo MeinI can throw this chicken lo mein together on a weeknight when my kids are doing their homework. It uses frozen veggies, which I always have on hand, so I don't need to run to the grocery store for ingredients. —Natasha Kennedy, Orlando, Florida
Chicken Biscuit SkilletMy mother always made this while we were growing up. Now I make it for my own husband and kids. I use the small biscuits since their tops brown so nicely. I also sometimes add mushrooms to this recipe because my family loves them. —Keri Boffeli, Monticello, Iowa
Champion Chicken PuffsMy guests peel rubber getting to the table to munch on these chicken puffs. The tender bites are made with hassle-free refrigerated crescent rolls and a flavorful chicken and cream cheese filling. —Amber Kimmich, Powhatan, Virginia
Barbecue Chicken TostadasLots of my recipes (just like this one) start out as fun ways to use leftovers. My kids love tostadas, so this day-after-cookout dinner was a big hit. —Lauren Wyler, Dripping Springs, Texas
Cherry Chicken CroissantsI had a similar chicken salad at a restaurant and created my own version. It may seem like an odd combination, but the ingredients work really well together. My children love it, and it only takes a few minutes to cut everything up—so easy!
Chicken Enchiladas for FourThese chicken enchiladas put a little zip into any menu. The rolled tortillas are filled with a hearty mixture of cheese, chicken and green chiles, and then topped with a creamy sauce and more cheese. I sometimes use leftover turkey instead of chicken. —Karen Bourne, Magrath, Alberta
Parmesan Chicken NuggetsMy 3-year-old went through a chicken-nuggets-and-french-fries-only stage, so I made these golden nuggets for him. Even the grown-ups like them! —Amanda Livesay, Mobile, Alabama
Garlic Ranch ChickenThe simple ingredients in this recipe give it flavor the whole family will enjoy. A no-nonsense salad will round out the meal. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chicken Florentine PaniniChicken Florentine Panini, from Lee Bremson of Kansas City, Missouri, brings an Italian flair to this speedy meal. The grilled sandwich combines chicken with provolone cheese, spinach and red onion.
Teriyaki Glazed ChickenI love to experiment with food. We're able to buy sweet onions grown on Maui, so I stir-fry them with chicken and carrots for a tasty teriyaki meal. —Kelly Brenneman, Riverdale, California
Chicken PizzaMy fun twist on typical pizza is an excellent way to use up leftover pesto. And since it’s loaded with protein-rich chicken and black beans, it’s hearty enough to satisfy everyone! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Originally Published: November 10, 2021
