A Nutrition Diet Guide: Does Chick-fil-A Serve Anything Gluten-Free?

October 22, 2025 •

3 min read

For those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, navigating fast-food menus can be challenging, which is why a common question is: Does Chick-fil-A serve anything gluten-free? The answer is yes, with a range of options from grilled chicken and sides to sealed items designed to minimize the risk of cross-contamination.

Quick Summary

Chick-fil-A offers various gluten-free items, including grilled nuggets, salads, and waffle fries cooked in a dedicated fryer. A sealed gluten-free bun is also available. Communicating dietary needs to staff is crucial to minimize cross-contact in the shared kitchen environment.

Key Points

Grilled Chicken is Key: Opt for the grilled chicken nuggets or grilled filet, as the breaded varieties contain gluten.
Dedicated Fryer for Fries: The Waffle Potato Fries are cooked in a separate, dedicated fryer using canola oil, making them a safe side option.
Certified Gluten-Free Bun: Chick-fil-A offers a GF bun that is individually sealed to prevent cross-contact; you must assemble the sandwich yourself.
Most Sauces are Safe: The majority of Chick-fil-A sauces and dressings are gluten-free, but avoid the Sweet and Spicy Sriracha.
Cross-Contamination is a Risk: Because food is prepared in shared kitchens, communicating your allergy and requesting precautions like glove changes is essential for celiacs.
Customize Your Salad: Certain salad toppings, like granola or crispy bell peppers, should be omitted to maintain a gluten-free meal.
Safe Sides and Desserts: Fruit cups, Kale Crunch sides, Icedream cups, and certain milkshakes (not Cookies & Cream) are gluten-free choices.

Chick-fil-A, a popular fast-food chain, offers a surprising number of gluten-free options for those following a gluten-free diet or managing celiac disease. The key is knowing which items are safe, how to order them, and understanding the potential for cross-contamination in a shared kitchen. By focusing on grilled items, dedicated fryer products, and sealed packaging, you can enjoy a safe meal.

The Safest Options: Sealed and Pre-Packaged

To minimize exposure to shared kitchen areas, sealed, pre-packaged items are the safest choices.

Certified Gluten-Free Bun: This bun is individually packaged and can be used with a grilled chicken filet. Assembling the sandwich yourself is recommended to ensure safety.
Waffle Potato Chips: These are kettle-cooked and come sealed, providing a reliable gluten-free side.
Buddy Fruits® Apple Sauce: Another individually packaged and safe snack option.

Entrées and Salads with Careful Ordering

When choosing a main course, prioritize grilled options and clearly state your dietary needs.

Grilled Nuggets: Marinated in gluten-free seasoning, these are cooked separately from breaded items.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich or Filet: Order a grilled chicken filet with the sealed gluten-free bun, assembling it yourself to avoid cross-contact.
Salads: Salads can be made gluten-free by omitting certain toppings. For the Market Salad, skip the Harvest Nut Granola. On the Cobb Salad, avoid the crispy bell peppers. The Spicy Southwest Salad is generally safe as is.

Sides, Sauces, and Treats

Several popular Chick-fil-A sides and treats are naturally gluten-free or can be prepared safely.

Waffle Potato Fries: These are cooked in a dedicated fryer using canola oil, separate from breaded chicken. Always confirm this with staff, as practices can vary.
Kale Crunch Side: This side of kale and cabbage with almonds is gluten-free.
Fruit Cup: A simple and safe fresh fruit option.
Gluten-Free Sauces: Most sauces are gluten-free, including Chick-fil-A Sauce, Barbeque, Polynesian, Zesty Buffalo, Honey Mustard, and all salad dressings. The Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Sauce contains wheat and should be avoided.
Desserts: The Icedream® cup, vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry milkshakes, Frosted Coffee, and Frosted Lemonade are gluten-free. Avoid the Cookies & Cream Milkshake, Chocolate Chunk Cookies, and Fudge Brownies.

Comparison of Gluten-Free and Non-Gluten-Free Options

Here's a quick guide to help you choose:


Safe Gluten-Free Options	Items Containing Gluten to Avoid
Grilled Nuggets or Filet	Original or Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Waffle Potato Fries	Breaded Nuggets or Strips
Certified Gluten-Free Bun (in sealed bag)	All regular buns and biscuits
Market Salad (no granola)	Mac & Cheese
Cobb Salad (no crispy peppers)	Chicken Noodle Soup
Spicy Southwest Salad	Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Kale Crunch Side	Cookies & Cream Milkshake
Fruit Cup & Applesauce	Brownies
Icedream® Cup & Shakes (no cookies)	Sweet & Spicy Sriracha Sauce
Chick-fil-A Sauce & other dressings	Crispy bell peppers (Cobb Salad)

Navigating Cross-Contamination Concerns

Chick-fil-A's kitchens are not entirely gluten-free due to shared spaces and ingredients. For individuals with celiac disease, minimizing cross-contact is crucial.

Inform staff: Clearly state your gluten allergy when ordering. Many locations use systems to flag allergy orders.
Request precautions: Ask for glove changes and that your food be handled with clean utensils and prepared on a clean surface. Grilled filets are cooked on a dedicated grill, which helps reduce risk.
Utilize sealed items: When in doubt, opt for individually sealed items like the gluten-free bun, applesauce, or Waffle Potato Chips.

Conclusion: A Viable Fast-Food Option with Due Diligence

Chick-fil-A provides a range of gluten-free choices that can be customized to fit your dietary needs. By choosing grilled options, dedicated fryer items, and sealed products, you can enjoy a meal. However, it is essential to communicate your allergy to staff and be aware of the potential for cross-contamination in a shared kitchen environment.

Always consult the official Chick-fil-A Nutrition & Allergens guide for the most current information and confirm practices with your local restaurant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Chick-fil-A's Waffle Potato Fries are generally considered gluten-free, as they are cooked in a dedicated canola oil fryer that does not come into contact with breaded items. It is always wise to confirm this practice with staff at your specific location due to potential variations.

Yes, Chick-fil-A provides a certified gluten-free bun made with sorghum and amaranth. It comes individually sealed to prevent cross-contact, and customers are advised to assemble their own sandwiches.

Yes, Chick-fil-A's grilled chicken nuggets and grilled filets are gluten-free by recipe, containing no wheat ingredients. They are cooked on a separate surface from breaded chicken to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

Most of the sauces at Chick-fil-A are gluten-free, including the signature Chick-fil-A Sauce, Barbeque, Polynesian, and Honey Mustard. The only exception is the Sweet and Spicy Sriracha sauce, which contains wheat.

While Chick-fil-A offers many gluten-free options and takes precautions like using separate fryers and sealed buns, it operates in a shared kitchen. For individuals with celiac disease, there is an inherent risk of cross-contamination. Communicating your allergy to staff is crucial for safe dining.

Yes, several breakfast options are gluten-free, including the hash browns, sausage patties, and the Hash Brown Scramble Bowl with either grilled chicken or sausage. You can also order a breakfast sandwich with the certified gluten-free bun.

Safe gluten-free dessert options include the Icedream® cup, vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry milkshakes, Frosted Coffee, and Frosted Lemonade. Avoid the Cookies & Cream Milkshake and baked goods like the cookies and brownies.

You should avoid all breaded chicken products (sandwiches, strips, nuggets), buns (unless certified GF), macaroni and cheese, and soups like the Chicken Noodle Soup.