What Oil Does Chick-fil-A Use For Their Famous Chicken?

Chick-fil-A is renowned for their delicious chicken sandwiches and nuggets. But what gives their chicken that signature taste and crunch? The secret lies in the oil they use to cook the chicken. In this article we’ll take a deep dive into the oil used by Chick-fil-A to fry their famous chicken.

Chick-fil-A Uses 100% Refined Peanut Oil

The oil that gives Chick-fil-A chicken its unique flavor is 100% refined peanut oil Chick-fil-A has been using peanut oil to cook their chicken since the very first restaurant opened in 1967

Back then, the founder Truett Cathy experimented with different oils before settling on peanut oil. He found that peanut oil gave the chicken a delicious flavor and crispy texture. Plus, peanut oil contains no trans fats or cholesterol and has a high smoke point which is perfect for frying food.

Ever since then, Chick-fil-A has continued to use a specialized refinement process on all their peanut oil called RBD (refined, bleached, deodorized). This process removes the peanut proteins, making it safe for those with peanut allergies.

According to Chick-fil-A, their suppliers use the highest quality peanuts harvested mainly from Georgia to produce the peanut oil. The oil is then refined using a dedicated manufacturing process to meet Chick-fil-A’s high standards.

Why Does Chick-fil-A Use Peanut Oil?

There are several key reasons why Chick-fil-A chooses to use 100% refined peanut oil for frying their chicken:

1. Enhances the Flavor

The light, nutty flavor of peanut oil seeps into the chicken breading adding a depth of flavor. The taste of peanut pairs perfectly with the flavors in Chick-fil-A’s signature chicken breading blend.

2. Gives the Chicken a Crispy Texture

Peanut oil has a high smoke point of 450°F so it can get hotter before smoking. This high heat crisps up the outside of the chicken to perfection. The refined oil also leaves no oily residue or greasy taste.

3. Healthier than Other Frying Oils

While deep frying chicken adds fat and calories, peanut oil is one of the healthier choices. It contains vitamin E, heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Peanut oil contains no trans or saturated fats like hydrogenated vegetable oils.

4. Ideal for Frying

In addition to the high smoke point, peanut oil has excellent thermal efficiency. It holds heat well which ensures the chicken cooks evenly. Peanut oil also has a longer shelf life and resists absorption of flavors.

5. Hypoallergenic

The RBD refining process removes all peanut proteins from the oil. This eliminates the risk of allergic reaction making it safe for those with peanut allergies. Workers with allergies can safely cook in peanut oil too.

How Exactly is Chick-fil-A’s Peanut Oil Refined?

As mentioned, Chick-fil-A uses a specialized RBD refinement process to produce their signature peanut oil. Here are the steps their suppliers use:

• Harvesting: Premium runner peanuts are sourced mainly from Georgia.

• Crushing: The peanuts are crushed to extract the crude peanut oil.

• Refining: The crude oil goes through high-heat refining to remove impurities, allergens, and odors.

• Bleaching: A bleaching clay filters out the last traces of color and odor compounds.

• Deodorizing: The final step uses extremely high heat to remove any remaining odors and flavors.

This precise process creates a pure, refined peanut oil ideal for frying chicken without any peanut proteins. Chick-fil-A has innovated their own unparalleled refinement method tailored specifically to their recipes and kitchen needs.

Is Chick-fil-A’s Peanut Oil Safe for Peanut Allergies?

While Chick-fil-A cooks exclusively in peanut oil, they state it should be safe for those with peanut allergies. As the proteins that trigger allergic reactions are removed through RBD refining, highly refined peanut oil is not classified as an allergen by the FDA.

However, Chick-fil-A sensitively acknowledges individual allergies can vary in severity. They recommend anyone with food allergies thoroughly read their website and menus to make an informed decision before eating.

It’s also vital to note that while the peanut oil itself is allergen-free, Chick-fil-A kitchens handle peanut ingredients in other menu items. Cross-contamination is always a possibility. For maximum precaution, the best choice is to avoid Chick-fil-A altogether if you have a severe peanut allergy.

Do Other Fast Food Restaurants Fry in Peanut Oil Too?

While it’s their signature oil, Chick-fil-A is not the only fast food restaurant to fry foods in peanut oil. However, most restaurants use a simple refinement process, not Chick-fil-A’s specialized RBD method. Here are a few other restaurants known to cook in peanut oil:

• Five Guys uses peanut oil to fry their iconic french fries in most locations. Employees will change gloves and utensils to avoid cross-contact when preparing allergy orders.

• McDonalds used to fry their french fries in a blend of peanut and canola oil but changed the recipe in the 1990s due to allergies. Their fries are now cooked in canola and soybean oil only.

• Texas Chicken fries their signature fried chicken in peanut oil in international locations like Indonesia, India, and Malaysia. Their US restaurants use palm olein oil instead.

• Some independent fish and chip shops opt for peanut oil as it doesn’t absorb fish flavors.

• Pie Five Pizza lists refined peanut oil as an ingredient on their website for food cooked in the brick ovens.

So while other restaurants cook in peanut oil, none seem to use the proprietary RBD refinement process perfected by Chick-fil-A over decades. The oil change was likely made to accommodate customers with peanut allergies.

What’s the Bottom Line on Chick-fil-A’s Peanut Oil?

When it comes to frying the juicy chicken we know and love, you really can’t beat Chick-fil-A’s use of 100% refined peanut oil. Using peanut oil since the very first restaurant opened in 1967, they’ve perfected their unique refinement process to filter out all peanut proteins.

While safe for most with peanut allergies, it’s still vital that anyone with food sensitivities thoroughly check the ingredients. But for the rest of us, we can enjoy the delicious flavors and texture the peanut oil imparts on Chick-fil-A’s famous chicken!

So next time you sink your teeth into a hot, crispy Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich or nuggets, you can thank the high-quality peanut oil for providing that signature taste and crunch. It’s the secret ingredient behind the chain’s famous fried chicken that diners have come to know and love over the past 50+ years!