Is Chick-fil-A Certified Gluten-Free?

October 22, 2025 •

3 min read

According to Chick-fil-A's official website, their restaurants are not certified gluten-free, although they do offer some individually packaged items that meet a gluten-free standard. This is a crucial distinction for anyone with celiac disease or severe gluten intolerance who must be mindful of cross-contact.

Quick Summary

Chick-fil-A is not a certified gluten-free establishment, though it provides gluten-free buns and menu options. The main concern for sensitive diners is the risk of kitchen cross-contamination.

Key Points

Not a Certified Gluten-Free Restaurant: Chick-fil-A does not have a certified gluten-free kitchen, and there is a risk of cross-contamination for all items prepared on-site.
Gluten-Free Bun is Sealed: The certified gluten-free bun is individually packaged to prevent cross-contact. Assemble the sandwich yourself for safety.
Waffle Fries Use Dedicated Fryers: Many locations use dedicated fryers for their waffle fries, but confirm this with staff.
Grilled Chicken is Safer than Fried: Choose grilled chicken and ask staff about grill sanitation against cross-contact.
Customize Salads Carefully: Salads can be gluten-free, but omit gluten-containing toppings like breaded chicken, crispy bell peppers, and granola.
Most Sauces are Safe: Most sauces are free of gluten ingredients, except for the Sweet & Spicy Sriracha Sauce.
Celiac Customers Should Exercise Extreme Caution: Due to the shared kitchen, individuals with celiac disease should always be cautious and communicate their allergy clearly.

Understanding Chick-fil-A's Gluten Policy

Chick-fil-A is a popular fast-food chain, but for individuals on a strict gluten-free diet, especially those with celiac disease, navigating the menu requires careful consideration. The most important fact to understand is that the restaurant environment itself is not certified gluten-free. This means that while some ingredients may be naturally gluten-free or arrive sealed, the final prepared meal faces a risk of cross-contact.

What does 'Not a Certified Gluten-Free Restaurant' mean?

A certified gluten-free kitchen follows strict protocols to prevent cross-contact, using separate equipment and preparation areas. Chick-fil-A's kitchen is a shared space where gluten-containing items are prepared, so they cannot guarantee any item prepared there will be completely free of gluten. This can be a significant concern for those with celiac disease.

Navigating the Chick-fil-A Gluten-Free Menu

For those willing to proceed with caution, several menu items can be ordered with modifications. It's essential to communicate your allergy clearly to the staff when ordering. Many locations will take extra precautions if they are aware of a severe allergy.

Best practices for ordering gluten-free at Chick-fil-A:

Use the gluten-free bun: Chick-fil-A offers a certified gluten-free bun that arrives pre-packaged. For maximum safety, request the bun be served still in its sealed packaging and assemble your sandwich yourself to avoid cross-contact.
Choose grilled items: The grilled chicken filet and grilled nuggets are made without gluten-containing breading. Ask about the grill's cleaning process to minimize cross-contact.
Stick to dedicated fryer foods: Chick-fil-A's Waffle Potato Fries are often cooked in a dedicated fryer. Always confirm this with staff, as policies may vary by location.
Customize your salads: Salads are a good choice, but require modifications. Avoid breaded chicken and ask for grilled instead. Omit granola from the Market Salad and crispy bell peppers from the Cobb Salad. Most dressings and sauces are gluten-free, except for the Sweet & Spicy Sriracha Sauce.

Comparison of Chick-fil-A Items: Gluten-Free vs. Standard Preparation


Feature	Potentially Gluten-Free Option	Gluten-Containing Standard	Risk of Cross-Contamination	Celiac Recommendation
Sandwich Bun	Certified gluten-free bun, sealed and assembled by guest	Buttery White Bun	High once removed from packaging	High caution. Self-assembly recommended.
Chicken	Grilled Nuggets or Grilled Fillet	Classic Chick-n-Strips or Nuggets (breaded)	Moderate. Depends on grill prep.	Ask staff to clean grill and change gloves.
Fries	Waffle Potato Fries cooked in a dedicated fryer	N/A	Low, if dedicated fryer is confirmed	Confirm dedicated fryer at each visit.
Salad Toppings	Grilled chicken, kale, fruit, most cheeses	Breaded chicken, crispy bell peppers, granola	Low, as long as toppings are omitted/substituted	Always customize and specify allergies.
Sauces	Most sauces (e.g., Chick-fil-A Sauce, Polynesian)	Sweet & Spicy Sriracha Sauce	Low, if sauce is handled properly	Use caution with shared utensils.

The Final Word on Celiac Safety

For those with celiac disease, cross-contamination is a serious concern. While Chick-fil-A offers items without gluten-containing ingredients, the shared kitchen environment presents an inherent risk. Even a tiny amount of gluten can cause a reaction. Therefore, individuals with celiac disease should always exercise extreme caution, ask specific questions about food preparation, and consider the potential risks. The sealed, certified gluten-free bun and dedicated-fryer fries are the safest options, but only if handled with care.

Conclusion: Informed Dining is Key

In summary, Chick-fil-A is not a certified gluten-free restaurant, posing a risk of cross-contact for prepared menu items. Informed diners with gluten sensitivities can make safer choices by opting for grilled chicken, using the individually packaged gluten-free bun, and confirming the use of a dedicated fryer for fries. Always communicate your allergy clearly to the staff to ensure extra precautions are taken.

Authoritative Link

Chick-fil-A Nutrition & Allergens Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Chick-fil-A's waffle fries are made from naturally gluten-free potatoes and are typically cooked in a dedicated fryer. Always confirm the dedicated fryer policy with staff at your location.

While Chick-fil-A offers gluten-free options, they cannot guarantee a completely gluten-free environment due to shared cooking areas. Individuals with celiac disease must be vigilant about cross-contamination and communicate their allergy to staff.

Yes, Chick-fil-A's grilled chicken filet and grilled nuggets do not contain gluten ingredients. However, cross-contact can occur on the shared grill, so ask staff about preparation procedures.

Yes, Chick-fil-A provides a certified gluten-free bun that is individually packaged. To avoid cross-contact, it's best to request the bun in its packaging and assemble your sandwich yourself.

Most of Chick-fil-A's sauces and dressings are gluten-free, except for the Sweet & Spicy Sriracha Sauce, which contains wheat. Check the allergen guide for current information.

Some breakfast items, like hash browns and sausage patty, do not contain gluten ingredients. You can also order a breakfast sandwich with a gluten-free bun and grilled filet. Breaded items like biscuits are not gluten-free.

To reduce cross-contamination risk, inform staff of your allergy. Request employees change gloves and use clean utensils. Ask for your certified gluten-free bun to be kept sealed.