Ask (politely) for these Chick-fil-A hidden menu items next time you stop by!
Chick-fil-A Has a Secret Menu and We’re Obsessed
Updated on Sep. 26, 2024
Chick-fil-A has a secret, and it’s my pleasure to share: the chain has a whole host of secret menu items! Some are so good they’ve arguably become even more popular than the regular menu items, according to Hack the Menu. There’s no “official” secret menu, but it seems the less complicated a special item is, the more likely employees will make it for you. Bonus: We’ve got the Chick-fil-A sauce recipe, too!
What’s on the Chick-fil-A Secret Menu?
Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
This is simply the Spicy Chicken Sandwich plus the signature Zesty Buffalo Sauce. You end up with a crispy buffalo chicken sandwich that’s loaded with dill pickles chips, and it’s delish!
Spicy Char
The Spicy Char, which is a grilled version of the Spicy Chicken Sandwich, is one of the most famous of Chick-fil-A’s secret menu items. In fact, this one is most likely available just by asking for it by its full name: the Spicy Char-Grilled Chicken Patty. (Not available at your local Chick-fil-A? You can make spicy char-broiled chicken at home with this Spicy Barbecue Chicken recipe.)
Fried Chicken Club
So the Spicy Char is the grilled version of a fried sandwich, and the Fried Chicken Club is the fried version of a grilled sandwich. It’s a tasty twist on the classic Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich. If it’s not available by name, ask for fried chicken instead of the grilled patty in your usual Club sandwich.
Chicken, Egg & Cheese Biscuit
The regular menu includes a Chicken, Egg & Cheese Bagel, but you can also ask for it on a biscuit to make a buttery Chicken, Egg & Cheese Biscuit.
Psst…. Biscuits calling your name? Don’t miss our most flaky biscuit recipes.
Spicy Chicken, Egg & Cheese Bagel
If your local Chick-fil-A has Spicy Chicken during the breakfast shift, you’ll be in luck! This sandwich is well-known enough that you can ask for it by name.
(Chick-fil-A isn’t the only chain with a secret menu. Here’s what to order from the secret menu at Taco Bell, Burger King and other restaurants.)
Chicken on Anything at Breakfast
We’ve heard from Chick-fil-A employees and former employees that because chicken is on the chain’s breakfast menu, you can customize pretty much any breakfast sandwich by adding chicken. For any locations that (secretly) have Spicy Chicken during the breakfast shift, make that a Spicy Chicken plus the Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit!
Bacon on Anything at Breakfast
You also can customize pretty much any Chick-fil-A breakfast sandwich by adding bacon. Hello, Hash Brown Scramble Burrito with Bacon!
Seeing a trend? You can pretty much ask for anything that’s on the menu to be added to anything else, and if it’s not too complicated, and your server’s not too busy, there’s a good chance you’ll get exactly what you want. Woo!
Grilled Cheese
For a no-meat meal, the bun from any sandwich can be toasted with sliced cheese. Think you might want pickle chips, lettuce and tomato, too? Order a Chick-fil-A Deluxe, hold the chicken.
Try These Chick-fil-A Copycat Recipes
Grilled Pepper Jack Chicken SandwichesBasic, yet packed with flavor, this sandwich gets a kick from zesty cheese and savory bacon. It's a great meal for summer days. —Linda Foreman, Locust Grove, Oklahoma
Inspired By: Chick-fil-A Cobb SaladThis skinny version of Cobb salad has all the taste and creaminess with half the fat and calories. You can skip the coleslaw mix and use all lettuce, but I like the crunch you get with cabbage. —Taylor Kiser, Brandon, Florida
Fun fact: Did you know Chick-fil-A salad dressings are coming to their menu in 2023?
Inspired By: Chicken NuggetsI developed this recipe specifically to copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets. The first time I made them I knew I had a winner because the whole family fought over who got the last one! For a dipping sauce, combine equal parts barbecue sauce and Dijon mustard, then stir in honey to taste. —Jeni Pittard, Statham, Georgia
Inspired By: Chick-Fil-A SauceThis fast, easy mustard with rice vinegar and honey has more flavor than any other honey mustard dressing I've ever tried. —Sharon Rehm, New Blaine, Arkansas
Inspired By: Fresh Brewed Sweet TeaA pinch of baking soda eliminates bitterness in this smooth and easy-to-sip tea and it has just the right amount of sugar so it's not overly sweet. —kelseylouise, Taste Recipes Community Member
Inspired By: Chick-Fil-A Butter BiscuitYou can make biscuits any day of the week with this simple 3-ingredient buttermilk biscuits recipe.
Inspired By: Chicken Noodle Soup SideWhen I was sick, my mom would make me this heartwarming chicken noodle soup. It was soothing when I had a cold, but this soup is a bowlful of comfort on any chilly day. —Anthony Graham, Ottawa, lllinois
Grilled Chicken WrapProteins marinated in a zesty citrus dressing shine when stuffed into these grilled chicken wraps. Garnish them with flavorful toppings to make them stand out even more.
Microwave Egg SandwichIf you're looking for a grab-and-go breakfast for busy days, this high-protein sandwich is low in fat and keeps me full all morning. Plus, it's only about 200 calories! —Brenda Otto, Reedsburg, Wisconsin
Inspired By: Garlic and Herb Ranch SauceRanch dressing got its start on a real dude ranch in California. Punch up the western original with green salsa, green chiles, jalapenos and cilantro for more color and spice. Serve the dip along with your favorite wings to feed a crowd. —Lindsay Duke, Goodrich, Texas
Chicken StripsHere's how to deep-fry or bake crispy, golden chicken strips, plus tons of ideas for how to serve them.
Inspired By: Fresh-Squeezed LemonadeA friend suggested I add a sprig of rosemary to lemonade. The herb makes the drink taste fresh and light, and it's a pretty garnish. —Dixie Graham, Rancho Cucamonga, California
Loaded Waffle FriesMake any dinner fun with my Loaded Waffle Fries, topped with a savory blend of cheese, scallions and bacon. I copied this family-favorite recipe from a local restaurant, and it's great with hot dogs, burgers or by itself. —Jeffrey Viccone, Decatur, Illinois
Star-Spangled ParfaitsThe best time for this dessert is midsummer, when the blueberries are thick in our northern woods. Red raspberries can be added to the mixed berries, too, to brighten the patriotic colors. —Anne Theriault, Wellesley, Massachusetts
Strawberry MilkshakeGrab your spoon: this strawberry milkshake is thick, bright with strawberry flavor and infinitely customizable.
Asian Chicken SaladOur Asian chicken salad transforms the classic American chicken salad into a vibrant, Asian-inspired dish in just 25 minutes, combining familiar flavors with exciting textures and tastes.
Inspired By: 4 Chick-n-MinisMy 11-year-old son invented these sliders at dinner one night when he set his chicken on a biscuit. The rest of us tried it his way, and now we enjoy these sandwiches all the time. —Jodie Kolsan, Palm Coast, Florida
Spiced Pumpkin Coffee ShakesThe winter holidays are my favorite time of year, and this spiced pumpkin drink is one reason I love the season so much. If you don't have a coffee maker, it's OK to use instant coffee—just make it stronger. —Kathie Perez, East Peoria, Illinois
Inspired By: Barbeque SauceI've never cared that much for store bought barbecue sauce. I just like to make things myself from scratch including this spicy, deep red-brown sauce. You'll find it clings well when you slather it on grilled meat. —Helena Georgette Mann, Sacramento, California
Sausage Breakfast BurritoBreakfast routine in a rut? Shake things up with these speedy, savory wraps. —Brenda Spann, Granger, Indiana
Inspired By: Chick-fil-A Grilled Market SaladSweet, tangy and bursting with the fresh flavors of summer, this easy strawberry poppy seed salad is a gorgeous, versatile side dish to serve the second warm weather arrives.
Inspired By: Hash BrownsMaking stuffed hash browns is just as easy as making regular ones, but you get the added textures and flavors from the onion, pepper, cheese and bacon.
Strawberry Lemonade
This may be most well-known and most widely available secret menu item. In fact, you may be able to ask for it by name. If your server doesn’t know what exactly you’re talking about, simply explain you want a lemonade with a scoop of the topping they use for strawberry milkshakes.
Here’s a Strawberry Lemonade Smoothie you can make at home, too.
Root Beer Float
Another of the more well-known and widely available secret menu items, the Root Beer Float is simply a serving of vanilla ice cream added to your cup of root beer. How about some Root Beer Float-inspired cookies to go with that?
Chocolate Cookies & Cream Milkshake
So easy–ask for a couple of pumps of chocolate syrup with your Cookies & Cream milkshake.
Have you heard about the secret Chick-fil-A restaurant with a Hawaiian theme? Here’s everything you need to know about Truett’s Luau.
Get more chicken.
Asian Chicken SaladOur Asian chicken salad transforms the classic American chicken salad into a vibrant, Asian-inspired dish in just 25 minutes, combining familiar flavors with exciting textures and tastes.
Thai Chicken LinguineWhen I’m feeding a crowd, I multiply this Thai-inspired chicken with pasta and snow peas. The merrymaking begins when everybody digs in, even the kids. —Teri Rumble, Jensen Beach, Florida
Chicken with Rosemary Butter SauceThis elegant rosemary chicken requires minimal effort but will win you major compliments. You'll love the mellow sauce! —Connie McDowell, Greenwood, Delaware. Looking for more recipes? Check out our collection of easy chicken dinner ideas.
Tex-Mex Chicken StripsI was looking for a way to amp up the flavor of regular chicken strips so I crushed up some leftover corn chips to create a crispy, flavorful coating. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
Grilled Pepper Jack Chicken SandwichesBasic, yet packed with flavor, this sandwich gets a kick from zesty cheese and savory bacon. It's a great meal for summer days. —Linda Foreman, Locust Grove, Oklahoma. Looking for more recipes? Check out our collection of summer chicken recipes.
Gnocchi with Chicken SausageThis creamy and comforting gnocchi with chicken sausage is a flavorful one-skillet dinner you'll crave on repeat.
Country Chicken and GravyHere's a lightened-up take on the classic southern comfort-food dish: chicken and gravy. This recipe has been a hit at our house since the first time we tried it! —Ruth Helmuth, Abbeville, South Carolina
Asian Chicken DinnerThis quick microwave dish for two is perfect for a busy day. Soy sauce and chicken broth bring out flavors of the chicken and veggies. —Carolyn Zimmerman, Fairbury, Illinois
Easy Buffalo Chicken Lettuce WrapsOne time when making sloppy joes, I wanted mine spicy, so I doused it in hot sauce. After that, my mind went wild and I made it Buffalo chicken-style with ground chicken, diced celery and blue cheese crumbles. I've been making it this way ever since. —Jennifer Nielson, Spanish Fork, Utah
Herb Chicken with Honey ButterWhen the whole family could use a heartwarming meal, this one fits the bill! You'll love how the honey's sweetness mixes perfectly with the herbs' salty flavor. It's a wonderful combination! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Cashew ChickenThis quick cashew chicken recipe is great as a weeknight timesaver that you won’t find yourself compromising on flavor. If you’ve never cooked with nuts before, prepare for a pleasant surprise. They really bring the best out of the chicken breast.
Feta Chicken BurgersMy friends always request these tasty chicken burgers. I sometimes add olives to punch up the flavor! The burgers are exceptional with the mayonnaise-cucumber topping. —Angela Robinson, Findlay, Ohio
Chicken and Broccoli with Dill SauceI've had this chicken and broccoli recipe for so many years, I don't remember when I first made it. Serve it with a side of couscous or rice for a complete meal, or add some sliced mushrooms or carrots for extra veggies. —Kallee Krong-Mccreery, Escondido, California
Mango Salsa Chicken with Veggie HashThis hash has the fresh flavors of spring. Using precooked grilled chicken strips makes the meal come together quickly. And the veggies make the dish so pretty! —Lori Mclain, Denton, Texas
Pressure-Cooker Spicy Lime ChickenThis tender chicken with light lime flavor is a natural filling for tacos, but my son Austin also loves it spooned over cooked rice and sprinkled with his favorite taco toppings. —Christine Hair, Odessa, Florida
Basil Chicken Sandwiches"I got the inspiration for this recipe when I knew my parents and in-laws were coming to see our new home," shares Kerry Durgin Krebs of New Market, Maryland. "My mother-in-law has food allergies, my father-in-law has some very specific food preferences and my parents appreciate light meals. I created this chicken sandwich with fresh basil for our lunch."
Lemon Mushroom ChickenThere's a lot of flavor in this dish. The best part? It doesn't seem light at all! —Carrie Palmquist, Canova, South Dakota
Chicken with CouscousMy sister shared this recipe, and it’s been a hit with me, my husband and our friends ever since. After working all day, I love that this dish is fast to prepare. Plus, it's irresistibly bright and delicious. —Shari Ruffalo, Watertown, New York
Slow-Cooker Coconut Curry ChickenMy husband and I love this yummy dish! It’s a breeze to prepare in the slow cooker, and it tastes just like a meal you’d have at your favorite Indian or Thai restaurant. —Andi Kauffman, Beavercreek, Oregon
Greek Chicken & RiceA fresh take on comfort food, Greek chicken and rice is my go-to on busy weeknights and when unexpected company stops by. Boost the health benefits and toss in chopped spinach. —Savannah Lay, Baker City, Oregon
Chicken and Shrimp with Lemon Cream SauceMy kids love this creamy pasta. Whenever I make it, I know that they will happily clean their plates. —Joe Milholland, Smelterville, Idaho
Chicken Lo MeinThis tasty homemade chicken lo mein recipe is simple and full of umami flavor! It features lo mein noodles, a savory sauce and plenty of vegetables.
Best Chicken ‘n’ BiscuitsClassic Southern comfort food at its best: buttery biscuits topped with creamy chicken and veggies. Easy to prepare with ready-made biscuits or your own. Cozy and delicious.
Angel Hair Pasta with ChickenIf you want to put something on the table that’ll give you time to spare on busy nights, give this delicious angel hair pasta with chicken a try. From start to finish, you’re only 20 minutes away from a vibrantly colored meal! —Margaret Wilson, Sun City, California
Chicken PuffsSurprise your party guests with a plate of chicken puffs. Stuff crescent rolls with cream cheese and chicken, then bake them until they're puffed, golden and flaky.
Everything Bagel Chicken StripsI love the flavor profile of everything bagels, so I re-created it with traditional breaded chicken fingers. Serve them with your favorite chicken finger dip. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
Barbecue Chicken TostadasLots of my recipes (just like this one) start out as fun ways to use leftovers. My kids love tostadas, so this day-after-cookout dinner was a big hit. —Lauren Wyler, Dripping Springs, Texas
Chicken Alfredo with Grilled ApplesIf you've never grilled apples before, here's your excuse to start. I created this Alfredo-style chicken for a party. By the number of recipe requests, I knew it was a hit. —Richard Robinson, Park Forest, Illinois
Cherry Chicken CroissantsI had a similar chicken salad at a restaurant and created my own version. It may seem like an odd combination, but the ingredients work really well together. My children love it, and it only takes a few minutes to cut everything up—so easy!
Cheesy Bow Tie ChickenHere's a super-simple dish that tastes like it's straight from a nice Italian restaurant. Spinach-artichoke dip is usually available in supermarket delis. It comes frozen, too. Just make sure to thaw it according to the package directions before dinnertime. —Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan
Air-Fryer Almond ChickenMy husband bought an air fryer after seeing it on television. We use it at least twice a week now! The chicken recipes that we have tried are especially good because of how moist the chicken remains. We started a low-carb diet and did not want to use bread crumbs, so we tried almonds. It's become a favorite. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia
Chicken and DumplingsPerfect for fall nights, my simple version of comforting chicken and dumplings is speedy, low in fat and a delicious one-dish meal. —Nancy Tuck, Elk Falls, Kansas
Chicken QuesadillasThese stuffed chicken quesadillas pack impressive flavor, but they couldn't be easier to make. Finish them with sour cream and guacamole or your favorite Mexican-inspired toppings for a quesadilla feast that'll satisfy that craving.
Chicken with Spinach and MushroomsSavor tender bites of chicken with spinach and mushrooms, a quick and easy dish that's healthy, tasty and perfect for busy weeknight dinners. Enjoy it over rice or pasta for a complete meal.
Cashew Chicken with NoodlesI tried this recipe for chicken with cashew nuts when making freezer meals with some friends. I was smitten! It's quick, easy and so delicious! —Anita Beachy, Bealeton, Virginia
Taco PocketsIndulge in the deliciousness of taco pockets made with crescent dough. Packed with seasoned chicken and ooey-gooey cheese, they're a crispy and flavorful treat.
Chicken Enchiladas for FourThese chicken enchiladas put a little zip into any menu. The rolled tortillas are filled with a hearty mixture of cheese, chicken and green chiles, and then topped with a creamy sauce and more cheese. I sometimes use leftover turkey instead of chicken. —Karen Bourne, Magrath, Alberta
Crispy Fried ChickenIf you've wanted to learn how to make crispy fried chicken, this is the recipe for you. Always a picnic favorite, this deep fried chicken recipe is delicious either hot or cold. Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken! —Jeanne Schnitzler, Lima, Montana. Check out our collection of best chicken recipes.
Salsa Verde Chicken CasseroleThis is a rich and surprisingly tasty rendition of a number of Tex-Mex dishes molded into one packed, beautiful casserole. Best of all, it’s ready in hardly any time! —Janet McCormick, Proctorville, Ohio
Parmesan Chicken NuggetsMy 3-year-old went through a chicken-nuggets-and-french-fries-only stage, so I made these golden nuggets for him. Even the grown-ups like them! —Amanda Livesay, Mobile, Alabama
Homemade Chicken PotpieWhy look for potpie in the frozen food aisle when this easy version tastes much better? The chicken pot pie's crust is so tender and flaky, and underneath you'll find the ultimate comfort food for kids and adults. —Amy Briggs, Gove, Kansas
For a fast-food chicken pot pie alternative, this KFC Chicken Pot Pie does the trick.
Artichoke Chicken Pesto PizzaMake pizza night an upscale affair with this fun twist on the traditional pie. A prebaked crust and prepared pesto keep things quick and easy. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Garlic Ranch ChickenThe simple ingredients in this recipe give it flavor the whole family will enjoy. A no-nonsense salad will round out the meal. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Chicken Florentine PaniniChicken Florentine Panini, from Lee Bremson of Kansas City, Missouri, brings an Italian flair to this speedy meal. The grilled sandwich combines chicken with provolone cheese, spinach and red onion.
Artichoke ChickenIf you love artichoke hearts, you'll love this easy artichoke chicken recipe! Chicken, artichokes and mushrooms bake in a savory rosemary-infused sauce that keeps the chicken breasts juicy and tender.
Teriyaki Glazed ChickenI love to experiment with food. We're able to buy sweet onions grown on Maui, so I stir-fry them with chicken and carrots for a tasty teriyaki meal. —Kelly Brenneman, Riverdale, California
Cilantro-Lime ChickenA bright cilantro-lime chicken marinade soaks bone-in chicken thighs in flavor before they're slow-cooked till they're fall-apart tender.
Chicken PizzaWhen done right, chicken makes a quick and wholesome pizza topping. Here's how to make a chicken pizza everyone at home will enjoy.
Easy Chicken PiccataIf you’re stuck for ideas on what to do with chicken breasts, get inspired with this chicken piccata recipe that brings the cutlets to life with citrusy lemon flavors and a creamy butter sauce.
