Is Chick-fil-A Good for Gluten-Free Dieters?

November 8, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, approximately 1 in 100 people worldwide are affected by celiac disease, making safe gluten-free dining a critical concern. So, is Chick-fil-A good for gluten-free diets? The answer is a cautiously optimistic 'yes,' as they offer several menu items, but careful ordering is essential to avoid cross-contamination.

Quick Summary

This article explores Chick-fil-A's gluten-free menu, outlining safe items like grilled nuggets, dedicated-fryer waffle fries, and packaged buns. It details the company's precautions and cross-contamination risks, offering tips for ordering safely.

Key Points

Grilled is the safest protein: Always choose grilled chicken filets or grilled nuggets over the breaded, fried options to avoid wheat.
Dedicated fryer for fries: Chick-fil-A uses a dedicated fryer for its Waffle Potato Fries, greatly reducing the risk of cross-contamination, but always confirm with staff at your location.
Packaged gluten-free bun available: A certified gluten-free bun is available but comes individually wrapped; assemble your sandwich yourself to ensure safety.
Most sauces are safe: The majority of Chick-fil-A's sauces and dressings are gluten-free, with the notable exception of the Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Sauce.
Customize your order for salads: When ordering a salad, request grilled chicken and ensure any gluten-containing toppings are removed from a separate, sealed packet.
Always alert staff to your allergy: Informing the team member about your gluten allergy prompts extra precautions, like changing gloves, reducing cross-contact risk.

Navigating the Chick-fil-A Menu for a Gluten-Free Diet

Chick-fil-A has earned a reputation among the gluten-free community for its allergen-conscious policies, but diners must remain vigilant. The restaurant chain, while making a concerted effort to provide safe options, cannot guarantee a 100% gluten-free environment due to shared kitchen spaces. This guide breaks down what you can and cannot eat, emphasizing how to minimize risk for celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.

Safe Protein Choices: Grilled Over Fried

The cornerstone of any gluten-free meal at Chick-fil-A is the grilled chicken. Unlike the famous pressure-fried chicken, which is heavily breaded with wheat, the grilled options are naturally gluten-free and cooked on a separate surface. This includes:

Grilled Nuggets: Available in 8 or 12-count sizes, these are a reliable and flavorful choice.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich: Ask for this with a gluten-free bun or served "protein style" in a lettuce wrap.
Hash Brown Scramble Bowl: Opt for the bowl with either the grilled chicken filet or the sausage patty instead of breaded nuggets.

For those with celiac disease, confirming with staff that they use fresh gloves and have procedures to avoid cross-contact from the grill is a wise precaution, especially at smaller or high-traffic locations where a dedicated grill may not be possible.

The All-Important Waffle Fries and Dedicated Fryers

Chick-fil-A's Waffle Potato Fries are a beloved menu item and a major reason many gluten-free diners trust the chain. The company states they use a dedicated fryer for their fries, which is separate from where the breaded chicken is cooked. This significantly reduces the risk of cross-contamination. However, it is always recommended to verify this at your specific location, particularly in smaller venues like those found in malls or airports where kitchen space is limited.

The Individually Packaged Gluten-Free Bun

For a sandwich experience without the gluten, Chick-fil-A offers a certified gluten-free bun made from sorghum and amaranth. Crucially, this bun arrives at the restaurant pre-packaged to prevent cross-contact. To maintain safety, customers are encouraged to assemble their sandwich themselves. Once the package is opened in the restaurant's shared kitchen, the bun is no longer considered completely free from potential contamination.

Sauces, Salads, and Sides: What to Know

Most Chick-fil-A sauces are naturally gluten-free, including the signature Chick-fil-A Sauce, Polynesian, Honey Mustard, and BBQ. However, the Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Sauce contains wheat and should be avoided.

When ordering salads, you can choose from the Market Salad, Cobb Salad, or Spicy Southwest Salad with grilled chicken or nuggets. It's essential to customize your order to remove any gluten-containing toppings that may be added from a shared prep area. Examples include the granola on the Market Salad and crispy bell peppers on the Cobb.

Additional safe sides and treats include:

Kale Crunch Side
Fruit Cup
Icedream Cup (not in a cone)
Chocolate, Strawberry, and Vanilla Milkshakes (seasonal flavors may contain gluten)

Comparing Gluten-Free Fast Food Options


Feature	Chick-fil-A	McDonald's	Chipotle Mexican Grill
Grilled Chicken	Safe (Grilled Filets, Nuggets)	Varies by menu; confirm preparation	Safe (Grilled Chicken)
Dedicated Fryer	Generally yes, but verify by location	No dedicated fryers; high risk	N/A (not a fried menu)
GF Bun	Available, individually packaged	Not offered	N/A
Cross-Contamination	Policies in place; ask for glove change	Not prioritized; high risk	Policies in place; can change gloves and surface
Customization	Excellent, wide variety of options	Limited options for customization	Excellent, build-your-own model

How to Order Safely at Chick-fil-A

Use the Mobile App: Chick-fil-A's app allows for detailed customization of your order. Select your item, check the ingredient list, and remove any potentially unsafe toppings.
State Your Allergy Clearly: When ordering, inform the team member you have a gluten allergy or celiac disease. This flags the order in their system and cues special preparation protocols.
Request a Glove Change: Always ask the team member handling your food to change their gloves and use clean utensils to prepare your meal, especially for salads.
Confirm the Dedicated Fryer: Before ordering fries, politely ask if they still use a dedicated fryer for the waffle fries, as policies can vary by location and time.
Build Your Own Sandwich: If you get a gluten-free bun, ask to receive it in its sealed packaging to assemble yourself, minimizing kitchen contact.

Conclusion: A Top-Tier Fast Food Option, with Caveats

Chick-fil-A stands out as one of the most reliable fast-food chains for gluten-free diners, providing a good number of options and clear allergen policies. With a certified gluten-free bun, dedicated fryers for fries, and a wide selection of grilled items, salads, and sauces, it is possible to enjoy a full meal with minimal risk. However, it's crucial to take personal responsibility during the ordering process by communicating your needs clearly and double-checking preparation methods. For individuals with highly sensitive celiac disease, exercising caution and acknowledging the inherent cross-contamination risks of a shared kitchen is always the safest approach. By following these steps, you can confidently enjoy a delicious and safe meal at Chick-fil-A.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Chick-fil-A's Waffle Potato Fries are naturally gluten-free and are typically cooked in a dedicated fryer separate from the breaded chicken. However, guests with celiac disease should confirm this with the staff at their specific location to ensure no cross-contamination risk, especially at smaller venues.

Yes, Chick-fil-A offers a certified gluten-free bun made from sorghum and amaranth. It comes individually wrapped to prevent cross-contact. To be safest, customers should assemble their own sandwich after receiving the bun in its sealed packaging.

Most Chick-fil-A sauces are gluten-free, including the Chick-fil-A Sauce, Polynesian Sauce, BBQ Sauce, and Honey Mustard. The one exception is the Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Sauce, which contains wheat.

To prevent cross-contamination, always inform staff of your gluten allergy, ask for a glove change, request a clean preparation surface, and consider assembling pre-packaged items like the gluten-free bun yourself.

Yes, Chick-fil-A's grilled chicken nuggets are gluten-free. They are cooked on a separate grill surface, away from the breaded chicken, and are a safe option for those avoiding gluten.

For breakfast, safe options include the hash browns (from the dedicated fryer), a sausage patty, bacon, and a Hash Brown Scramble Bowl with either sausage or grilled chicken. You can also request a breakfast sandwich with a gluten-free bun.

Yes, the Icedream cup is a gluten-free dessert option. However, the Icedream in a cone and the Cookies & Cream Milkshake are not gluten-free and should be avoided.