Vegan Guide to Chick-fil-A: The Best Menu Options, Swaps, and More

Best known for their “renegade cows” encouraging diners to opt for chicken instead of beef, Chick-fil-A is the largest quick-service chicken restaurant in America. The Atlanta-based chain has served sandwiches, fries, and other grill fare since 1967—except on Sundays when the restaurant observes a day of rest.

Chick-fil-A acknowledges and offers guidance for those with special dietary needs, including vegans. And although there aren’t a ton of vegan options on their menu, we’ve got all the tips you need to enjoy a quick snack or a full vegan meal at Chick-fil-A.

Top Pick: Spicy Southwest Salad

Finally, a quick-service salad with some oomph to it. Made with grape tomatoes, roasted corn, black beans, and poblano chiles on a bed of mixed greens, this salad will have you biting in anticipation. Enjoy the crunch of red bell pepper, vegan seasoned tortilla strips, and chili lime pepitas. 

Order your Spicy Southwest Salad sans chicken and cheese, and choose from Chick-fil-A’s vegan-friendly dressings: Light Italian, Light Balsamic, or Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette. Give this Mexican-inspired salad a twist by dressing it with Chick-fil-A’s vegan Polynesian Sauce.

Vegan Entrées

Unfortunately for vegans, none of the sandwich bread at Chick-fil-A is vegan-friendly. The buns and brioche contain dairy and honey, and the flaxseed flour flatbread in the Grilled Cool Wrap contains l-cysteine. Stick to the salads and the fries, and you’ll be in good (vegan) hands.

Vegan Salads

Unlike many fast-casual dining options, Chick-fil-A offers two hearty salads made fresh daily and easily prepared vegan. 

• Spicy Southwest Salad. (Order yours without cheese or chicken. Select your choice of vegan dressing.)
• Market Salad. (Fruity and light, make this salad vegan by removing the chicken, the granola, and the blue cheese. Dress your market salad with any of the vegan dressings or sauces.)
  

Vegan Sides

Chick-fil-A offers a decent selection of vegan-friendly sides. As with most fast-food chains, they do not designate vegan- or vegetarian-only preparation areas, so cross-contamination may occur.

• Chick-fil-A Waffle Potato Fries (Dip these distinctive fries in Polynesian Sauce, Barbeque Sauce, or Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Sauce—they’re all vegan.)
• Fruit cup (A nutritious fruit mix made with chopped pieces of red and green apples, mandarin orange segments, fresh strawberry slices, and blueberries, served chilled.)
• Side salad (A fresh bed of mixed greens, grape tomatoes, and red bell peppers with your choice of vegan dressing. Order yours without the cheese.)
• Kale Crunch (A sweet-and-salty combo of cabbage and kale with a vegan apple Dijon dressing and almonds.)
• Waffle Potato Chips (Enjoy with your vegan dipping sauce of choice.)
• Buddy Fruits Apple Sauce (from the Kid’s Meals)
• Saltines (from the soup… none of which, unfortunately, is vegan)
  

Vegan Breakfast

Fill your belly in the morning at Chick-fil-A with their vegan-friendly choices.

• English Muffin (Sweeten yours with a side of jelly.)
• Hash Browns
• Fruit Cup
• Coffee (Hot only—iced coffee contains dairy.)
  

Vegan Beverages

With a variety of drinks to choose from, Chick-fil-A has plenty of vegan-friendly options.

• Fountain beverages
• Bottle drinks
• Coffee (Hot only—iced coffee contains dairy.)
• Gallon beverages (for events)
• 5 lb. bag of ice (for events)

Vegan Trays

Chick-fil-A offers a few options for those times you need to feed a bunch of hungry vegans at once.

• Fruit Tray
• Kale Crunch Side Tray