In 1964, Chick-fil-A perfected what’s now on the menu as the Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich – two toasted, buttered buns that enclose a breaded, seasoned, boneless chicken breast and a few dill pickle chips – and the recipe hasn’t changed since. The family-owned restaurant quickly grew into a fast food empire, and today people across America can’t get enough of its simple-yet-delicious offerings, from fried chicken nuggets to crispy waffle fries.
Chick-fil-A is actually one of the more diet-friendly fast food chains, with menu options that can be built or modified to fit various eating habits or lifestyles – whether you follow a keto diet, a Mediterranean diet, or a gluten-free one. And for those on the paleo diet, one thing you can do is listen to the famous Chick-fil-A cows when they tell you to “Eat Mor Chikin”!
As a restaurant rooted in one star product – chicken – you can find a few paleo-friendly options on their menu if you’re looking for a tasty snack or need a quick meal on the go. So if you end up cruising through the Chick-fil-A drive-thru and you’re wondering what you can eat, we’ve got you covered. Here’s every paleo-friendly item you can order on the menu at your favorite chicken joint.
Paleo food and drinks available on the Chick-fil-A menu
The paleo diet derives from the foods our ancestors ate during the Paleolithic Era, back when the early humans first hunted and gathered their food. It’s an overall lifestyle that focuses on eating things like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, fish, eggs, and – lucky for Chick-fil-A lovers – lean meat.
But while these food groups mean that several items on the Chick-fil-A menu are paleo-friendly, thanks to offerings like grilled chicken and salads, there are a few main “problem ingredients” that will limit you at a fast food chain like Chick-fil-A. Specifically: grains (aka wheat), dairy products, refined or added sugars, and starchy vegetables like potatoes and corn.
Because the paleo diet eliminates all of these foods (along with several others), ordering at Chick-fil-A – or any other fast food chain – becomes a little tricky. Things like bread, cheese, and fries are immediately off-limits, along with any sweet treats packed with sugar. And processed foods are a no-go as well.
But that said, Chick-fil-A does offer enough of a variety, with modifications or healthier alternatives available, making it possible to order some paleo-friendly food and drink items. Because the chain offers grilled chicken and other protein options in addition to fried meats, there are definitely more choices for someone who needs to avoid bread or highly processed oils.
The Market Salad, which is lush with fruits and nuts, is also a solid menu option to enjoy if you’re paleo. But there’s one important thing to note: unfortunately none of Chick-fil-A’s dipping sauces or dressings are paleo-friendly, since they all contain one or more ingredients that aren’t allowable on a paleo diet (such as added sugar, soybean oil, or dairy products like buttermilk). So if you’re ordering a salad or want something to dip your chicken in, be sure to bring your own paleo sauce or dressing along with you!
Here’s everything on the menu that you can order while on the paleo diet, along with any necessary modifications to ensure the item is paleo-friendly.
| Paleo Breakfast Items | Necessary Modifications |
| Egg White Grill | No english muffin |
| Hash Brown Scramble Bowl | Grilled filet or grilled nuggets No hash browns No cheese |
| Grilled Breakfast Filet | |
| Side of Egg | |
| Keto Lunch Items | Necessary Modifications |
| Grilled Chicken Sandwich | No bun |
| Grilled Nuggets | |
| Market Salad | Grilled filet, spicy grilled filet, or grilled nuggets No cheese No dressing |
| Keto Snacks + Sides | Necessary Modifications |
| Side Salad | No cheese No dressing |
| Kale Crunch Salad | No dressing |
| Fruit Cup | |
| Buddy Fruits Apple Sauce | |
| Keto Drinks | Necessary Modifications |
| Coffee | |
| Freshly-Brewed Iced Tea Unsweetened | |
| Watermelon Mint Unsweet Tea |
Because the paleo diet avoids starchy vegetables, potatoes are not considered paleo-friendly and thus fried or processed potato products like french fries, hash browns, and potato chips are not suitable for a paleo diet.
Unfortunately, none of Chick-fil-A’s dipping sauces or dressings are paleo-friendly. All of the options contain one or more of the following ingredients, which are to be avoided on a paleo diet: added sugar, dairy, or soybean oil.
Lean meat like chicken is allowable on a paleo diet, so Chick-fil-A’s chicken is paleo-friendly as long as it’s grilled rather than breaded and/or fried. Chick-fil-A has several grilled protein options: the grilled filet, the spicy grilled filet, and the grilled nuggets.
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