This post about what’s gluten-free at Chick-fil-a contains affiliate links.
Can you eat gluten-free at Chick-fil-a?
I’ve always thought I could safely eat gluten-free at Chick-fil-a, but I wanted to proof. I’m like that.
I could have just taken Chick-fil-a’s word on it, but I wanted to know for sure (or at least as sure as I can be).
That’s why when the folks at Nima Sensor sent me a Nima sensor to test drive, I moseyed on over to Chick-fil-a, ordered some grilled nuggets and waffle fries, and sat down to do the Nima test.
Before I went to Chick-fil-a, I wanted to double check what I’ve always known – that the the grilled nuggets are gluten-free and the waffle fries are cooked in a dedicated fryer (not cross contaminated in a deep fryer shared with gluteny things). I’ve alway felt comfortable to eat gluten-free at Chick-fil-a, but I decided to double check the allergen menu before I did my experiment.
According to the Chick-fil-a Allergen Menu online, the grilled nuggets and fries do not contain wheat or gluten. Other items without gluten in them include the hashbrowns (just check about the fryer, not sure about that one), the Grilled Market Salad, the Spicy Southwest Salad, the fruit cup, the Greek yogurt parfait with granola (just check if granola has oats in it), and a side salad. Some of the milkshakes are noted to be gluten-free, but I believe they may be highly cross contaminated in the milkshake machines that also mix gluteny bits of candy.
UPDATE: Chick-fil-a now has a gluten-free bun. That’s right, you can order a grilled chicken sandwich with a gluten-free bun. Please note that I’ve heard mixed reviews about the taste of the bun, however, it is GF and comes separately wrapped from the chicken to prevent cross contact with gluten. I prefer to order the grilled chicken nuggets without the bun – the bun is not worth the empty calories and I’d rather enjoy the chicken along with some fries.
When I arrived at Chick-fil-a, I did my usual protocol.
I first asked the server if he had an allergen menu available (just to double check things again at that specific location). He didn’t have it, but assured me that the grilled nuggets and fries were indeed gluten-free and the fries are cooked in a dedicated fryer. (After the video aired, I reached out to Chick-fil-a online and they replied, “The Waffle Potato Fries are cooked in canola oil in a separate fryer from the one used for the filets cooked in peanut oil.”)
Next I told him I was gluten-free and requested “allergy prep.” He said there is a button he can push on the register that will alert the staff that I have an “allergy,” and will allow him to type in the allergy, which he did. He said they will change their gloves before handling my food. Nice touch, Chick-fil-a!
When my grilled nuggets and fries arrived, the same server said to me the standard mumbo-jumbo – that the food was not make in an allergen free environment so there is always risk of cross contamination. That line, while an important CYA disclosure for the company, always puts just a tad bit of doubt in my head.
But today I came armed with the Nima Sensor – which would give me one additional clue into whether or not these grilled nuggets and waffle fries that I was about to eat were gluten-free once and for all.
Because I’m a blogger, I decided to do the test on Facebook Live so everyone could watch things unfold in real time. I could feel everyone watching rooting for Nima to give us a smiley face (the smiley face means there’s no gluten in the product and it is safe).
More than 5,500 people have watched this video on Facebook Live!
I’ll give you a little hint – here is the verdict on the grilled nuggets. Nima is all smiles! You’ll have to watch the video to find out the verdict on the waffle fries – I know you’re curious!
A few disclaimers:
- I only tested a pea-sized sample of each item. This information gave me an additional clue in my quest to know if this food is safe for me to eat. It is not definitive. I cannot say with 100% certainty that you can safely eat gluten-free at Chick-fil-a every time nor at every location.
- Every Chick-Fil-A and experience will be different. The Nima Sensor is not a replacement for common sense, asking good questions, and doing your own due diligence.
- These are my opinions based on my research. I am not giving advice, nor am I a medical doctor.
BUY A NIMA SENSOR!! Here’s where you can purchase the Nima Sensor
Alright, that should cover things.
So tell me, how do you feel about eating gluten-free at Chick-fil-a now? Please leave me a comment and let me know!
Oh, and what should I Nima test next? Please give me suggestions in the comments section.
PS: I also Nima tested Zyrtec, Heinz Ketchup, French’s mustard and Doritos. View my results here.