Cow Appreciation Day honors the iconic Eat Mor Chikin cows, Chick-fil-A’s amazing mascots and spokes-animals. From marking up billboards to starring in a “cowlendar,” the rebel cows make it known that we should eat more crispy chicken! The latest Cow Appreciation Day is happening on Tuesday at Chick-fil-A locations across the country.
Much as we love our Chick-fil-A copycat recipes, it’s a nice change of pace to eat out—and all the better when we’re talking free chicken!
Chick-fil-A Copycats
Loaded Grilled Chicken SandwichI threw these ingredients together on a whim and the sandwich turned out so well, I surprised myself! If you're in a rush, microwave the bacon—just cover it with a paper towel to keep it from spattering too much. —Dana York, Kennewick, Washington
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: Chicken NuggetsI developed this recipe specifically to copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets. The first time I made them I knew I had a winner because the whole family fought over who got the last one! For a dipping sauce, combine equal parts barbecue sauce and Dijon mustard, then stir in honey to taste. —Jeni Pittard, Statham, Georgia
Inspired By: Chick-Fil-A SauceThis fast, easy mustard with rice vinegar and honey has more flavor than any other honey mustard dressing I've ever tried. —Sharon Rehm, New Blaine, Arkansas
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
Inspired By: Chick-Fil-A Butter BiscuitThe recipe for these four-ingredient homemade buttermilk biscuits has been handed down for many generations. —Fran Thompson, Tarboro, North Carolina
Inspired By: Chicken Noodle Soup SideWhen I was sick, my mom would make me this heartwarming chicken noodle soup. It was soothing when I had a cold, but this soup is a bowlful of comfort on any chilly day. —Anthony Graham, Ottawa, lllinois
Inspired By: Grilled Chicken Cool WrapThis portable recipe is perfect for outdoor dining in the summertime. We like the fun, fresh spin on regular coleslaw using pineapple and toasted almonds. —Barb Agnew, Mahnomen, Minnesota
Microwave Egg SandwichIf you're looking for a grab-and-go breakfast for busy days, this high-protein sandwich is low in fat and keeps me full all morning. Plus, it's only about 200 calories! —Brenda Otto, Reedsburg, Wisconsin
Inspired By: Garlic and Herb Ranch SauceRanch dressing got its start on a real dude ranch in California. Punch up the western original with green salsa, green chiles, jalapenos and cilantro for more color and spice. Serve the dip along with your favorite wings to feed a crowd. —Lindsay Duke, Goodrich, Texas
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 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
Thick Strawberry ShakesCool off with a thick and rich treat that will remind you of a malt shoppe! Nothing can beat this strawberry shake recipe. —Kathryn Conrad, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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
Inspired By: 4 Chick-n-MinisMy 11-year-old son invented these sliders at dinner one night when he set his chicken on a biscuit. The rest of us tried it his way, and now we enjoy these sandwiches all the time. —Jodie Kolsan, Palm Coast, Florida
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
Inspired By: Chick-fil-A Grilled Market SaladMy family is always happy to see this fruit and veggie salad on the table. If strawberries aren’t available, substitute mandarin oranges and dried cranberries. —Irene Keller, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Inspired By: Hash BrownsEver since we met, my husband has made me hash browns with bacon, pepper jack and sour cream. We share it when we have guests, too. —Annie Ciszak Pazar, Anchorage, Alaska
How to Get Free Chick-fil-A
From opening until 7 p.m., restaurant guests can Eat Mor Chikin, enjoying a free entrée on the house so long as they’re sporting a cow-inspired accessory or costume. The dress-up criteria are super simple, making this a great way to stretch the week’s grocery budget while squeezing in a bit of family fun. For your black-and-white efforts, kiddos will receive a free Kids’ Meal, with adults scoring a free entrée!
Cow Appreciation Day has soared in popularity, so expect a bit of a wait. We recommend arriving before 10:30 a.m., so you can score a free breakfast entrée before lunch lines start wrapping around the block.
Have your heart set on a sandwich for lunch or dinner? Plan to drop by in the afternoon. Chick-fil-A restaurant marketing director Bethany Ivey says that there’s usually a lull between 2 and 5 p.m, even on Cow Appreciation Day.
To keep Cow Appreciation Day running smoothly, the restaurant has made a few changes, most notably removing the salad entrée as a free lunch and dinner item. Not to worry health lovers; you can still enjoy the menu’s lighter side, with grilled nuggets or the Grilled Chicken Cool Wrap.
Do you know why Chick-fil-A employees say “my pleasure” instead of “you’re welcome”?
What to Wear
Ready to dress the part? It’s easy. Chick-fil-A’s Cow Appreciation Day details ask only that you wear “something cow-like” or “any sort of cow apparel.”
Whether dusting off an old Halloween costume or turning a plain white t-shirt into a moo-ving nod to bovine culture, the options are easy, economical and endless. (We know you’ve got at least one Sharpie and some construction paper lying around!)
While you’re at it, go udderly crazy with some repurposed eyeliner or that leftover tube of eye black from spring baseball season. Either will make a mighty convincing cow nose, without getting in the way of your Spicy Chicken Sandwich. For even more inspiration, you can check out Chick-fil-A’s roundup of last year’s top costumes.
Have fun with your herd on Tuesday! Don’t forget to grab some of Chick-fil-A’s famous sauce.
