Chick-fil-A’s delicious chicken sandwiches and nuggets have garnered a cult-like following, with fans obsessed over the tender juiciness and signature flavor. But have you ever wondered what brand of chicken makes the magic happen behind the scenes? In my extensive research, I uncovered the fascinating truths about where this fast food giant sources its poultry.
Chick-fil-A Only Uses 100% Real Chicken Breast
The first vital fact is that Chick-fil-A uses 100% real chicken breast meat with no fillers, hormones or artificial additives Their original chicken sandwich recipe crafted by founder Truett Cathy over 50 years ago remains unchanged today. Each tender fillet comes directly from the boneless breast of the chicken
I was relieved to learn this, as many fast food chains use processed reconstituted meat. Chick-fil-A’s commitment to pure, high quality chicken sets them apart. It also explains why their chicken always tastes so juicy and flavorful.
Chicken Arrives Fresh, Never Frozen
Another common myth debunked in my research is that Chick-fil-A must use frozen chicken to keep up with demand However, their chicken actually arrives fresh at each restaurant every day without ever being frozen The meat is then hand breaded and cooked on-site to lock in that trademark crunch and taste.
The fact that the chicken isn’t frozen means it retains more moisture and flavor. Chick-fil-A goes the extra mile to serve up chicken at the peak of freshness.
Carefully Vetted Suppliers Adhere to Strict Standards
So where does all this fresh chicken come from? Chick-fil-A closely vets suppliers and only works with those meeting rigorous quality and ethical standards. They focus on partnering with local farms as well as large national suppliers.
Suppliers must follow strict guidelines on housing, animal welfare, and safe food handling. Chick-fil-A also conducts frequent audits and inspections to verify compliance. This gives them exceptional traceability and accountability from farm to restaurant.
The Marinade Makes All the Difference
Marination is key to Chick-fil-A’s signature flavor. After years of testing, they perfected a marinade blending salt, lemon juice, and vinegar infused with savory seasonings. This helps keep the meat incredibly moist and juicy.
While some claim they soak the chicken in pickle juice, this isn’t quite accurate The hint of vinegar in the marinade replicates the tangy zip of pickles without overpowering the natural chicken essence
Peanut Oil Yields the Crispy Coating
The next piece of the puzzle is how Chick-fil-A achieves that crispy exterior. Once marinated, the chicken is hand breaded then pressure fried in refined peanut oil. The high heat seals in juices while the peanut oil leaves a lightly golden, crunchy crust.
Peanut oil has a high smoke point so it can reach optimum frying temperatures. It also has a neutral flavor profile complementing the chicken without greasiness.
The Kitchen Prep Makes All the Difference
Meticulous kitchen preparation elevates Chick-fil-A’s chicken above competitors. Chicken is thawed, breaded, and fried fresh in individual restaurants multiple times a day. Using freshly prepared chicken rather than reheating frozen chicken ensures it is served piping hot and crisp straight from the fryer.
Chick-fil-A also innovated a hydraulic press system to apply precise pressure when cooking chicken. This results in the ideal texture with genuine grill marks adding to the homemade appearance.
Why the No Antibiotics Policy Matters
In 2019, Chick-fil-A adopted a “No Antibiotics Ever” policy for all of its chicken. Human overuse of antibiotics allows resistant bacteria to flourish, a major health concern. Chick-fil-A’s commitment to antibiotic-free chicken helps curb this issue.
This policy also yields tastier chicken, as antibiotics can negatively impact the flavor of the meat. The pivot to antibiotic-free reinforced Chick-fil-A’s dedication to quality.
Chick-fil-A Stands By Its Principles
When you add it all up, Chick-fil-A goes above and beyond to serve high-caliber chicken centered on principles of freshness, flavor, and responsible sourcing. Rather than chasing profits at the expense of quality, they uphold time-honored techniques perfected decades ago by their founder.
This steadfast adherence to providing the best tasting chicken with premier ingredients is why devoted fans proclaim it the “home of the original chicken sandwich.” Although the brand remains shrouded in mystery, my deep dive revealed the painstaking efforts underlying the poultry that launched an empire.
So next time you sink your teeth into a juicy Chick-fil-A sandwich or nugget, you can rest assured knowing the premium chicken inside reflects a commitment to excellence spanning over 50 years. While competitors have tried to replicate it, there’s still only one place to get the original chicken done right.
Selective about the chicken we serve
Serving quality food has always been our priority. Because chicken is at the center of our menu, we serve only real breast meat with no fillers, artificial preservatives, or steroids. Our chicken contains no added hormones (like all chicken in the United States) and is raised with No Antibiotics Important to Human Medicine (NAIHM). For more information, please click here. Additionally, we source our chicken from farms in the U.S. in accordance with our Animal Wellbeing Standards.
In 2016, Chick-fil-A communicated we would source only 100 percent cage-free eggs by 2026. Currently, our ability to meet this commitment in the stated timeframe is uncertain due to numerous industry dynamics and the significant impact the bird flu has had over the past several months and continues to have on our industry. We will continue to serve cage-free eggs where required to meet state specific legislation in the U.S., while ensuring eggs across all our Restaurants continue to be sourced from trusted suppliers who meet our strict quality standards. Learn more about our Animal Wellbeing Standards here.
Whether its offering more wholesome options, or simply removing unnecessary ingredients, we believe in better-for-you fast food. Were working toward a menu that achieves these goals and enhances your experience, while never sacrificing delicious taste.
Eating well on the go can be a challenge. That’s why we work hard to offer balanced options—from our classic menu items made with quality ingredients, to other menu items for the nutrition-minded, like the Grilled Chicken Sandwich and Kale Crunch Side.
Chick-fil-A sources real boneless breast of chicken with no added hormones, fillers or steroids, so its natural flavor shines. Were committed to serving chicken raised with No Antibiotics Important to Human Medicine (NAIHM).
Thrive Farmers®, a specialty-grade coffee company, supplies our coffee for our restaurants in Canada and U.S. Chick-fil-A Puerto Ricos coffee is sourced locally from Puerto Rico Coffee Roasters.
Real food, rigorous standards
In our kitchens, we focus on freshly prepared food crafted with quality ingredients. We serve chicken made from breast meat, breaded by hand in-restaurant. Fresh produce is delivered to our kitchens several times a week. Salads are prepared throughout the day. Our regular Chick-fil-A® Lemonade is prepared daily with lemon juice, pure cane sugar and water.
What’s Really in the “Food” at Chick-fil-A?
FAQ
Does Tyson chicken supply Chick-fil-A?
Tyson supplies both Chick-FIL-A and Popeyes & no telling who else, probably just about everyone.Mar 17, 2024
Why does Chick-fil-A chicken taste different?
What kind of chicken does Chick-fil-A use?
Does Chick-fil-A use chicken?
Indeed, Chick-Fil-A’s chicken nuggets are made with 100% white meat. This ensures a tender and juicy bite in every nugget. 5. Does Chick-Fil-A use organic chicken? Chick-Fil-A does not advertise using organic chicken. However, they do use high-quality chicken that is raised without antibiotics and sourced from reputable suppliers. 6.
Is Chick-fil-A chicken real chicken?
It is not processed chicken nuggets or patties made from mechanically separated chicken parts. Therefore, Chick-Fil-A chicken is considered real chicken. Chick-Fil-A sources its chicken from carefully selected suppliers known for their quality and commitment to ethical farming practices.
Does Chick-fil-A have antibiotic free chicken?
Yes, Chick-Fil-A sources its chicken from suppliers who provide chicken raised without antibiotics. This commitment to antibiotic-free chicken aligns with Chick-Fil-A’s dedication to serving quality ingredients. 4. Are Chick-Fil-A’s chicken nuggets made with white meat? Indeed, Chick-Fil-A’s chicken nuggets are made with 100% white meat.
Does Chick-fil-A have fried chicken?
The popular fried chicken franchise also sources smaller chickens that aren’t linked to some of the hazards associated with large chickens. Once the chicken arrives at their facilities, Chick-fil-A says it’s never ground or separated to add dangerous fillers — only whole chickens at this fast food chain.
What makes Chick-fil-A different from other fast-food chains?
This commitment to using quality, whole chicken breasts sets Chick-Fil-A apart from other fast-food chains that often use processed or mechanically separated chicken in their products. The breading used at Chick-Fil-A is a blend of flour, starches, spices, and sugar, giving it a signature taste that customers have come to love.
Does Chick-fil-A have pre cooked chicken?
No, Chick-Fil-A does not serve pre-cooked chicken. Their chicken is cooked freshly on-site in their kitchens to maintain its quality and taste. 7. Does Chick-Fil-A’s chicken contain added hormones? Chick-Fil-A’s chicken suppliers have committed to never using artificial hormones or added steroids.