Sure, It's Doable to Order Vegan at Chick-fil-A—Right here's How

As some of the widespread fast-food chains within the US, Chick-fil-A serves tens of millions of individuals yearly. In truth, in 2022, its clients exceeded 2 billion. That’s a heck of numerous hen sandwiches (527 million, to be actual). However for many who don’t wish to eat meat from factory-farmed hens, does the chain have any vegan choices? The reply is sure, however not many. For those who’re in a bind and the one possibility you might have is Chick-fil-A, right here’s all the things vegan you’ll be able to order from the menu.

What sort of meals does Chick-fil-A have? 

Based again in Atlanta, GA within the Nineteen Forties, Chick-fil-A is an American fast-food chain greatest identified for its hen sandwiches. However its signature menu merchandise didn’t come round till the Sixties. In line with Enterprise Insider, again then, founder Truett Cathy used a strain cooker to shortly cook dinner a boneless hen sandwich, and the remainder was historical past.

Now, the chain affords a number of completely different hen sandwiches, nevertheless it additionally affords choices like nuggets, wraps, salads, and breakfast gadgets, like muffins and hash browns. Traditionally, the chain has not provided many plant-based or vegetarian choices, however in 2023, that modified when it began providing the Chick-fil-A Cauliflower Sandwich in choose places for a restricted time.

Chick-fil-A

Does Chick-fil-A provide vegan hen?

Whereas a few of Chick-fil-A’s opponents now provide vegan meat choices (taking a look at you, Burger King), the fast-food chain has not added any plant-based hen to its menu, but. 

Its trial of the Cauliflower Sandwich has come to an finish now, however even when the choice is made everlasting, it’s not appropriate for vegans because the cauliflower is breaded with Chick-fil-A’s signature seasoning, which accommodates dairy.

Is Chick-fil-A controversial?

Over the previous few a long time, Chick-fil-A has been related to a variety of controversies. Essentially the most well-known is its repeated donations to Christian charities that oppose same-sex marriage. Nevertheless, in 2019 it introduced that it had stopped funding the charities and would as an alternative deal with giving to organizations that concentrate on schooling, homelessness, and starvation. That mentioned, it didn’t make any point out of any new insurance policies in opposition to the longer term funding of charities that oppose same-sex marriage.

Chick-fil-A has additionally come beneath hearth for hyperlinks with animal cruelty. In 2014, a Mercy For Animals investigation discovered employees kicking and throwing chickens at certainly one of its suppliers. And in 2021, World Animal Safety as soon as once more known as out the chain, alongside opponents like Subway and Dunkin’, for failing to make animal welfare enhancements.

The chain claims it takes the therapy of animals “very severely” and notes that its chickens come from cage-free farms, however even if so, it’s necessary to keep in mind that many of the US’ animal merchandise come from industrialized manufacturing unit farming circumstances. In line with The Humane League, “the vast majority of cage-free manufacturing nonetheless occurs on manufacturing unit farms.”

Chick-fil-A

Vegan choices at Chick-fil-A

The reality is, identical to many main fast-fast meals chains (ahem, McDonald’s), Chick-fil-A has been sluggish to answer demand for extra vegan and meatless choices. That mentioned, when you do end up in one of many chain’s greater than 2,600 places throughout the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico, there are a handful of vegan choices on the menu. See under for extra particulars!

1 Hash Browns

Chick-fil-A’s hash browns function in numerous its breakfast dishes, all of which aren’t vegan. However on their very own, these mini crispy potato medallions are completely animal-free. It is because, whereas many fast-food chains cook dinner their potato-based sides in animal fats, Chick-fil-A cooks its hash browns in canola oil.

2 Grilled Market Salad

All of Chick-fil-A’s salads are topped with hen, however it’s attainable to ask for this to be eliminated. For those who request the Market Salad with none hen or cheese, it’s completely plant-based. It’s additionally attainable to ask for the salad with a cauliflower filet, however keep in mind that whereas that is vegetarian, it’s not vegan.

3 Fruit Cups

Fruit Cups are a fairly protected vegan possibility in most locations, and Chick-fil-A isn’t any exception. Accessible on the chain’s breakfast menu, you’ll be able to ask for a medium or massive cup, which is full of freshly ready chopped and sliced fruits like apples, mandarin oranges, strawberries, and blueberries. 

4 Sauces

On the subject of including a bit of additional taste to your veganized menu merchandise, just a little sauce or dressing goes a good distance. Chick-fil-A has fairly a number of animal-free choices to select from, together with the usual ketchup, mustard, and BBQ, but additionally chili lime French dressing dressing and candy and spicy sriracha. 

5 Waffle Fries

Arguably the most effective vegan possibility at Chick-fil-A needs to be the Waffle Potato Fries. Similar to the hash browns, these crispy, salty fries aren’t cooked in animal fats, however canola oil. We are saying go for the Massive.