A Guide to What Can Celiacs Eat at Chick-fil-A?

October 3, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 3 million Americans have celiac disease, requiring a strict gluten-free diet. For those managing this condition, dining at a fast-food restaurant like Chick-fil-A can be challenging, but with the right information and precautions, it is possible to find safe options. This guide answers the critical question: What can celiacs eat at Chick-fil-A?.

Quick Summary

This guide covers Chick-fil-A's gluten-free offerings, including grilled chicken, waffle fries, salads, and sealed buns. It details how to order safely, emphasizing communication with staff and understanding cross-contamination risks for a cautious dining experience.

Key Points

Grilled chicken is safe: Opt for grilled nuggets or a grilled chicken filet as your main protein, always avoiding breaded and fried chicken.
Use a certified GF bun: The gluten-free bun comes in sealed packaging and must be assembled by you to prevent cross-contact.
Confirm the dedicated fryer: While most locations use a dedicated fryer for waffle fries, you must always ask to be certain, especially at non-standard locations.
Avoid the Sriracha sauce: All Chick-fil-A sauces and dressings are gluten-free, except for the Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Sauce, which contains wheat.
Communicate your allergy: Inform the staff you have a gluten allergy and ask them to change their gloves and bag your order separately to minimize cross-contamination risk.
Customize your salads: You can create a safe salad by choosing a grilled protein and ensuring any gluten-containing toppings, like crispy bell peppers on the Cobb salad, are left off.
Be cautious with milkshakes: While many milkshakes are gluten-free, confirm with staff that the blender is thoroughly cleaned, especially if they also prepare flavors containing gluten, like Cookies & Cream.

Understanding Chick-fil-A's Approach to Allergens

Chick-fil-A is generally recognized for being more accommodating to food allergies than many fast-food chains, but they still operate a shared kitchen. This means there is an inherent risk of cross-contact. For individuals with celiac disease, strict attention to ordering procedures is crucial to ensure a safe meal. Chick-fil-A's official website acknowledges the handcrafted nature of their food and the use of shared cooking areas. Because of this, it is always recommended to check the specific policies at your local restaurant and to clearly state your celiac-disease-related allergy when ordering.

Gluten-Free Entrees and Meal Options

Grilled Chicken is Your Main Protein

The star of the gluten-free menu for celiacs is the grilled chicken. Unlike the breaded and fried chicken, all grilled chicken items are considered safe as long as proper cross-contamination precautions are taken. You can choose from:

Grilled Nuggets: These are bite-sized pieces of marinated, grilled chicken breast, and are naturally gluten-free. They come in 5, 8, or 12-count options. Some locations may put them in a container that helps separate them from other items.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich: To enjoy this, you must request a certified gluten-free bun. This bun comes individually packaged to prevent cross-contact and is made with a blend of ancient grains. You will need to assemble the sandwich yourself after receiving the components.
Salad with Grilled Chicken: Most salads can be made safe by requesting grilled chicken nuggets or a grilled filet instead of breaded chicken. It is important to also omit specific gluten-containing toppings where necessary.

Side Dishes That Are Celiac-Safe

Famous Waffle Fries and More

For many, a trip to Chick-fil-A isn't complete without the iconic waffle fries. Fortunately, they are naturally gluten-free. However, the frying process requires special consideration for celiacs:

Waffle Potato Fries: Most stand-alone Chick-fil-A restaurants use a dedicated fryer for their waffle fries, cooking them in a different oil than the breaded chicken. Always ask a manager to confirm the fryer is dedicated and that your fries will be handled with fresh gloves.
Fruit Cup: A simple, naturally gluten-free option containing fresh fruit.
Kale Crunch Side: A blend of kale and green cabbage with a dijon vinaigrette and roasted almonds.
Waffle Potato Chips: Individually packaged and sealed to prevent cross-contact, though availability may vary.
Buddy Fruits Cinnamon Applesauce: Another sealed, safe side option for kids and adults alike.

Safe Sauces, Dressings, and Beverages

Almost all of Chick-fil-A's sauces and dressings are gluten-free, with one notable exception. The Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Sauce contains wheat and should be avoided. Safe options include:

Sauces: Barbecue Sauce, Chick-fil-A Sauce, Honey Mustard Sauce, Honey Roasted BBQ Sauce, Polynesian Sauce, and Zesty Buffalo Sauce.
Dressings: Avocado Lime Ranch, Creamy Salsa, Fat-Free Honey Mustard, Garden Herb Ranch, Light Balsamic Vinaigrette, Light Italian, and Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette.
Drinks: Almost all beverages are safe, including soft drinks, milkshakes, and frosted beverages. For milkshakes, be aware of shared blender use, especially for flavors like Cookies & Cream.

Avoiding Cross-Contamination is Key

Even with naturally gluten-free ingredients, celiacs must take proactive steps to prevent cross-contact. Chick-fil-A has internal procedures to minimize this, but communication is paramount.

Communicate Clearly: When ordering, explicitly state that you have a gluten allergy. This ensures your order is flagged and alerts staff to take special precautions.
Request Glove Changes: Always ask the employee taking your order and the one preparing it to change their gloves before handling your food.
Request Separate Preparation: Ask for your grilled chicken to be prepared on a clean, designated surface. Request your food be bagged separately as well to avoid contact with other non-gluten-free items.

Comparison of Safe vs. Unsafe Items


Item Category	Safe Options for Celiacs	Unsafe Options for Celiacs
Entrees	Grilled Nuggets, Grilled Chicken Sandwich (with GF bun), Grilled Chicken Fillet, Salad with Grilled Chicken	Breaded Chicken Nuggets, Original Chicken Sandwich, Chick-n-Strips, Spicy Deluxe Sandwich, Cool Wrap
Sides	Waffle Fries (verify dedicated fryer), Fruit Cup, Kale Crunch Side, Waffle Potato Chips	Mac and Cheese, Chicken Noodle Soup, Chicken Tortilla Soup, Greek Yogurt Parfait with cookie crumbs
Sauces/Dressings	Chick-fil-A Sauce, Barbecue, Honey Mustard, Polynesian, Zesty Buffalo, all dressings (except ranch in some sources)	Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Sauce
Breakfast	Hash Browns (confirm fryer), Hash Brown Scramble Bowl (with grilled filet or sausage), Breakfast Sandwich (with GF bun)	Biscuits, other breakfast sandwiches on regular buns
Desserts	Icedream Cup, Milkshakes (confirm clean blender), Frosted Lemonade/Coffee	Icedream Cone, Cookies & Cream Milkshake, Chocolate Chunk Cookie, Chocolate Fudge Brownie

Conclusion: A Cautious Approach to Chick-fil-A

For those with celiac disease, Chick-fil-A offers a range of potential menu items beyond just a plain salad. By focusing on grilled chicken, verifying dedicated fryers for fries, and utilizing the pre-packaged gluten-free bun, a satisfying meal is achievable. However, the crucial component is diligent communication. You must clearly state your allergy, request glove changes, and remain aware of the inherent risks of a shared kitchen space. While the company provides robust information, the ultimate responsibility lies with the customer to ensure their order is handled safely by the staff. By staying informed and communicating, you can navigate Chick-fil-A's menu with greater confidence. The official Chick-fil-A Nutrition and Allergen Guide is an excellent resource for verification at specific locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Chick-fil-A's waffle fries are made from naturally gluten-free potatoes. Most stand-alone restaurants cook them in a dedicated fryer with a different oil than the breaded chicken. However, it is essential to confirm the dedicated fryer status with a manager at your specific location, as this can vary.

Yes, Chick-fil-A offers a certified gluten-free bun. It is individually packaged and sealed to prevent cross-contact in the kitchen. To ensure safety, you must assemble the sandwich yourself after receiving the separate components.

Most of Chick-fil-A's sauces are gluten-free and safe for celiacs, including the Chick-fil-A Sauce, Polynesian Sauce, and Barbecue Sauce. The only sauce to avoid is the Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Sauce, which contains wheat.

To reduce the risk of cross-contamination, clearly state you have a celiac-related allergy when ordering. Ask staff to change their gloves, use separate utensils, and flag your order. You can also request that your items be bagged separately.

Yes, you can have a salad by requesting a grilled chicken filet or grilled nuggets as your protein. You must also ask to omit any gluten-containing toppings, such as the crispy bell peppers on the Cobb salad. All dressings are gluten-free.

Most milkshakes, such as vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, are gluten-free. However, the blenders are shared, so cross-contamination is a risk, especially with the Cookies & Cream milkshake. It's best to discuss this concern with a manager.

For breakfast, celiacs can order the Hash Brown Scramble Bowl with grilled chicken or sausage, or a breakfast sandwich on a gluten-free bun. You should also confirm with the staff that hash browns are cooked in a dedicated fryer.