How to Reduce Carbs When Eating at Chick-fil-A

November 15, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 200 million people visit Chick-fil-A each year, and while its popularity is high, many menu items are carb-heavy due to breading and buns. This guide shows you how to reduce carbs when eating at Chick-fil-A by making simple adjustments to your order, from swapping fried chicken for grilled to controlling your sauces.

Quick Summary

This guide details specific low-carb and keto-friendly options at Chick-fil-A, including modifying salads, sandwiches, and breakfast items. Learn which items to choose, how to customize your order, and which high-carb foods to avoid to stay on track with your dietary goals.

Key Points

Opt for Grilled Chicken: Choose grilled chicken filets or grilled nuggets instead of breaded, fried chicken to drastically cut carbs.
Skip the Bun and Tortilla: Order sandwiches and wraps without the bun or tortilla, opting for a lettuce wrap instead.
Customize Your Salads: For salads, select grilled chicken and ask to hold high-carb toppings like crispy bell peppers, croutons, or fruit.
Choose Low-Carb Sauces: Be mindful of sauces and dressings, opting for low-carb options like Zesty Buffalo or Avocado Lime Ranch.
Select Carb-Conscious Sides: Replace high-carb sides like waffle fries and hash browns with a Kale Crunch Side, Side Salad, or Fruit Cup.
Modify Breakfast Items: For breakfast, order sandwiches without the biscuit or English muffin, or get a scramble bowl without the hash browns.

Navigating a fast-food menu while trying to reduce carbohydrates can be challenging, but at Chick-fil-A, it's simpler than you might think. The key is to focus on grilled rather than fried protein, customize your main dishes by skipping buns and wraps, and choose your sides and sauces with intention.

Smart Protein Choices: Grilled Over Fried

The most significant way to cut carbs is to eliminate the breaded and fried chicken. Chick-fil-A offers delicious grilled alternatives that are packed with protein but contain a fraction of the carbohydrates. Opt for these options to form the foundation of a low-carb meal.

Grilled Entrée Options

Grilled Nuggets: The 8-count grilled nuggets contain just 2g of carbs, while a 12-count has only 3g. This is a go-to for a quick, carb-conscious protein source. They are bite-sized pieces of marinated, grilled chicken breast that are flavorful and tender.
Grilled Chicken Filet: You can order a grilled chicken filet on its own for a versatile, low-carb main component. This works perfectly as a protein source for a custom salad or even enjoyed straight from the box.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich (No Bun): To enjoy the flavor of the Grilled Chicken Sandwich without the carb-heavy bun, simply order it lettuce-wrapped or without any bun at all. This modification saves you a significant number of carbs.

Customizing Sandwiches and Wraps

Chick-fil-A's sandwiches and wraps can be easily adapted to a low-carb diet with some smart substitutions. The bun and tortilla are the primary sources of carbohydrates, so removing them is a top priority.

Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich (No Bun): This option includes grilled chicken, bacon, cheese, lettuce, and tomato, making it a flavorful meal when the bun is removed. You can wrap it in lettuce or simply eat it with a fork.
Grilled Chicken Cool Wrap (No Wrap): Ask for the filling of the Cool Wrap without the flaxseed flour flatbread. The filling includes grilled chicken, greens, cheese, and tomatoes, which you can enjoy as a salad.
Breakfast Sandwiches (No Biscuit or Muffin): For breakfast, any of the egg and cheese sandwiches can be ordered without the biscuit or English muffin. The bacon, egg, and cheese or the sausage, egg, and cheese are solid choices.

Building a Better Low-Carb Salad

Salads are a great low-carb choice, but you must be mindful of the toppings and dressings. Some salads come with high-carb additions like crispy toppings or sugary dressings.

Low-Carb Salad Combinations

Grilled Market Salad (No Granola or Nuts): Order the Market Salad with grilled chicken and ask for it without the granola and roasted nut blend. Pair it with a low-carb dressing like the Avocado Lime Ranch to minimize carbs while maximizing flavor.
Cobb Salad with Grilled Chicken (No Crispy Bell Peppers): Request the Cobb Salad with grilled nuggets or a grilled filet instead of fried chicken, and omit the crispy bell peppers. The bacon, egg, and cheese offer plenty of flavor.
Side Salad with Grilled Nuggets: A simple side salad with a side of grilled nuggets is a straightforward and effective low-carb meal. It's easy to customize and keep carb counts low.

Choosing Your Sides Wisely

Traditional fast-food sides like fries and hash browns are off-limits on a low-carb diet. Luckily, Chick-fil-A offers a few side dishes that fit the bill perfectly.

Low-Carb Side Options

Kale Crunch Side: This is a mix of kale and cabbage tossed with a vinaigrette and almonds. It's a flavorful and satisfying side with just 8g of carbs.
Side Salad: A classic side salad with a low-carb dressing is a simple, effective option to pair with grilled chicken.
Fruit Cup: A fruit cup offers a refreshing and low-carb addition to any meal, providing natural sweetness without processed sugar.

Navigating Sauces and Dressings

Many sauces and dressings can add hidden carbohydrates and sugars to your meal. It's best to check the nutritional information or stick to known low-carb options. Always ask for sauces and dressings on the side to control your portion size.

Comparison of Sauces


Sauce/Dressing	Total Carbs (per packet/serving)	Notes
Chick-fil-A® Sauce	6g	Avoid if very strict on carbs.
Zesty Buffalo Sauce	1g	A great, low-carb option.
Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing	3g	Creamy, low-carb dressing.
Light Italian Dressing	5g	A lower-calorie dressing choice.
Garden Herb Ranch Sauce	1g	Another tasty, low-carb choice.
Honey Mustard Sauce	11g	Very high in sugar and carbs; avoid.
Barbeque Sauce	12g	High in sugar and carbs; avoid.

Conclusion

By following these simple strategies, you can confidently and successfully reduce carbs when eating at Chick-fil-A. The most effective changes involve swapping fried for grilled chicken and avoiding buns, wraps, fries, and sugary sauces. With a little customization, you can enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal that fits your low-carb lifestyle, whether it's breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

For more detailed nutritional information, you can always consult the official Chick-fil-A nutrition guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Chick-fil-A's grilled nuggets are a great low-carb option. An 8-count serving contains just 2g of carbohydrates, making them ideal for a low-carb meal.

Yes, you can request any of the sandwiches without the bun. Many people opt to have the grilled chicken filet served in a lettuce wrap or on a side salad to reduce carbs significantly.

For lower carb options, choose dressings like Zesty Buffalo Sauce (1g carbs), Garden Herb Ranch Sauce (1g carbs), or Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing (3g carbs). Avoid the sugary options like Polynesian or Honey Mustard.

A great low-carb breakfast is the Hash Brown Scramble Bowl, ordered without the hash browns. You can choose either grilled chicken or sausage and enjoy the eggs and cheese.

Some salads can be made low-carb with modifications. Always choose grilled chicken instead of fried, and omit high-carb toppings like crispy noodles or sugary nuts. Use a low-carb dressing as well.

The best low-carb side options are the Kale Crunch Side, a simple Side Salad with a low-carb dressing, or a Fruit Cup.

To make the Cool Wrap low-carb, ask for it without the flatbread wrap. You can then enjoy the grilled chicken, cheese, and mixed greens as a deconstructed salad.