The Ultimate Guide to Chick-fil-A Salad Dressings (Plus Copycat Recipes!) (2024)

Did you ever want to learn how to make your favorite Chick-fil-A salad dressings? We've got you covered with our 8 copycat salad dressings. Now you can enjoy these delicious homemade dressings and vinaigrettes in the comfort of your own home.

Want to check out some other delicious, healthy salads? You'll love our copycat recipes for Chick-fil-A's kale crunch and lemon kale Caesar.

The Dressings

Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing

• Pairing: This is the indulgent option that pairs with Chick-fil-A's famous Cobb salad.
• Key Ingredients: Avocados, mayo, buttermilk, and lime juice.
• Flavor: Lime infused creamy avocado with cumin and dill and a bit of tang.
• Nutrition Facts: CFA: 310 calories, 32g fat, 2g sugar, 3g carbs, 1g protein. Our copycat: 186 calories, 19.8g fat, 0.8g sugar, 4.2g carbs, 1g protein for 2 tablespoons.
• Variations: Leave out the ½ teaspoon of sugar or use your sweetener of choice for keto. Swap the mayo for Greek yogurt.
• Recipe: Find it in our Cobb salad recipe post.

Creamy Salsa Dressing

• Pairing: Spicy Southwest salad's indulgent dressing is the creamy salsa dressing.
• Key Ingredients: Dairy, cilantro, cumin, and lime juice.
• Flavor: This dressing has some kick from the seeds and membranes of a jalapeño, cayenne pepper, and ancho chili powder. It is creamy with some Tex Mex flavors.
• Nutrition Facts: CFA: 290 calories, 31g fat, 1g sugar, 2g carbs, and 1g protein. Our copycat: 161 calories, 17.2 g fat, 2.8 g sugar, 5g carbs, and 6g protein for 2 tablespoons.
• Variations: There is ½ teaspoon of sugar in this one, so leave it out or use your sweetener of choice if you're on keto. You can also swap Greek yogurt for the sour cream.
• Recipe: Get it in our creamy salsa dressing recipe post.

Chili Lime Vinaigrette

• Pairing: This vinaigrette was hand-crafted to be the lighter choice for the Spicy Southwest salad, but it is now discontinued. We also love it on Chick-fil-A's side salad.
• Key Ingredients: Honey, fresh garlic, lime zest, and lime juice.
• Flavor: It has some serious spice to it thanks to the chili powder, chipotle chili powder, (affiliate) and cayenne pepper. It also has hints of smokiness and fresh garlic.
• Nutrition Facts: CFA: This dressing is discontinued, so the facts aren't on their website. Our copycat: 155 calories, 14.3 g fat, 6.9g sugar, 9 g carbs, and 0.4g protein for 2 tablespoons.
• Variations: Replace the honey with agave nectar for vegan diets, and use your favorite sweetener for keto.
• Recipe: Find it in our side salad recipe post.

Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette

• Pairing: This dressing was crafted for the Market Salad.
• Key Ingredients: Honey, ACV, lime juice, and cayenne pepper.
• Flavor: Oil and apple cider vinegar with a hint of honey.
• Nutrition Facts: CFA: 230 calories, 19g fat, 14g sugar, 16g carbs, 0g protein. Our copycat: 196 calories, 18.7g fat, 8.8g sugar, 9.4g carbs, and 0.1g protein for 2 tablespoons.
• Variations: Use a sugar substitute if you're on keto, and use agave nectar if you're vegan.
• Recipe: Find it in our market salad recipe post.

Lemon Caesar Vinaigrette

• Pairing: Designed to go with Lemon Kale Caesar Salad.
• Key Ingredients: Lemon zest, lemon and lime juice, and frozen lemon concentrate.
• Flavor: Lemony, herbs, bright citrus, and light.
• Nutrition Facts: CFA: 140 calories, 13g fat, 5g sugar, 6g carbs, 0g protein. Our copycat: 156 calories, 16g fat, 3g sugar, 3.6g carbs, and 0.1g protein for 2 tablespoons.
• Variations: Use a sugar substitute for keto because this dressing is lemony and sweet. Soy allergies? Swap out soy oil for canola.
• Recipe: Find it in our lemon kale Caesar recipe post.

Honey Sesame Dressing

• Pairing: Crafted specially for the now discontinued Asian Chicken Salad.
• Key Ingredients: Sesame oil, soy sauce, fresh ginger, garlic, and sesame seeds.
• Flavor: Asian flavors of ginger, soy, and sesame mixed with honey.
• Nutrition Facts: CFA: This dressing has been discontinued, so current facts aren't available on their website. Our copycat: 159 calories, 14.7 g fat, 6.7g sugar, 7.8 g carbs, and 0.6 g protein for 2 tablespoons.
• Variations: Use a sugar substitute for the honey if you're on keto and agave nectar if you're vegan.
• Recipe: Find it in our Asian salad recipe post.

Apple Dijon Dressing

• Pairing: This light dressing was designed to go on the Kale Crunch Salad.
• Key Ingredients: Maple syrup, ACV, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard.
• Flavor: Lemon and Dijon mixed with oil and vinegar.
• Nutrition Facts: CFA: This dressing is poured on the salad before purchasing, so they don't provide separate nutrition facts on their website. Our copycat: 127 calories, 11.2g fat, 6.4g sugar, 7.2g carbs, and 0g protein for 2 tablespoons.
• Variations: The sweetener in this dressing is maple syrup, so if you're on keto, use your sweetener of choice.
• Recipe: Find it in our kale crunch recipe post.

Maple Vinaigrette

• Pairing: Designed to go with the now discontinued superfood salad.
• Key Ingredients: Maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Dijon, and oil.
• Flavor: Fruity apple with a vinegar tang sweetened with maple syrup.
• Nutrition Facts: CFA: This side salad has been discontinued, so they don't provide facts on their website. Our copycat: 158 calories, 14g fat, 8g sugar, 8.9g carbs and 0g protein for 2 tablespoons.
• Variations: It is similar to the Apple Dijon Dressing, so it also is sweetened with maple syrup. Use your favorite sweetener to make it keto.
• Recipe: Find it in our superfood salad recipe post.

As of the writing of this post, Chick-fil-A restaurants also have four other dressings to choice from: Fat Free Honey Mustard, Garden Herb Ranch, Light Balsamic, and Light Italian. We currently don't have copycat recipes for these dressings.

Questions

Can you buy Chick-fil-A dressings?

As of the writing of this blog post, their dressings are not available for purchase at the restaurant, in grocery stores, or online. The best way to satisfy your craving for Chick-fil-A's dressings is to recreate them at home. There's no need to stockpile tiny dressing packets in your fridge!

Why is it important to add dressing to salads?

• It improves the flavor and taste.
• It helps in digestion.
• It makes the salad more pleasing to look at and to eat.

Can you meal prep salad dressing?

• Yes, it's so easy. Make up the amount of dressing you need for the week on Saturday or Sunday.
• If you take a lunch to work, you can portion out the serving size of the dressing on Sunday. Pour into a tiny glass jar (affiliate) that has a leak-free lid. (The average serving size is 2 tablespoons, which is an ⅛ of a cup.)

What kitchen tools do I need to make dressing?

• Most dressings can be made with a simple mason jar or whisked in a bowl.
• Other dressings, like creamy pureed ones, should be made with a food processor.
• For ones that require freshly squeezed citrus juice and minced garlic, use a citrus press (affiliate) and garlic press (affiliate) to make the job quicker and easier.

How to Make

• Gather all the ingredients. See the linked recipes above.
• For the avocado lime ranch and the creamy salsa, puree all the ingredients in a food processor, except the oil, and then slowly pour in the oil while it is running.
• For the other 6 dressings, put all the ingredients, except the oil, in a mason jar. Secure the lid and shake, then add the oil and shake again until well combined.

Storage

• Put dressings in a glass container, like a mason jar with a lid. Try not to use plastic containers, as they are porous and may stain or absorb flavors.
• Store them on a fridge shelf where it is cooler, not on the door.
• For the freshest flavors, try to eat all the dressing within 3 to 4 days, or at the latest, 1 week.
• Oil and vinegar-based dressings will separate when chilled. When ready to use, shake vigorously to re-emulsify. For ones that solidify in the fridge, remove the lid and microwave on high for 30 seconds, then secure the lid and shake before using.
• Creamy dressings like the avocado lime ranch and the creamy salsa won't separate.

Serving

• These Chick-fil-A dressings are designed to compliment a specific premium or side salad. Scroll up to "The Dressings" section to see the suggested pairings.
• Don't feel like salad? Use the two creamy dressings as a dip for a veggie tray.
• Using in a wrap? If you love taking wraps in your lunch, use the creamy dressings in place of a condiment.
• Love grain bowls? Any of these dressings would taste amazing in a grain bowl.

Pro Tips

• If the recipe lists lemon or lime zest, use it. It will make the dressing brighter.
• For maximum freshness, drizzle the dressing on just before serving to prevent the greens from wilting.
• For the kale crunch, put all the dressing on when making the salad, as the kale needs time to soften and sweeten.
• Leave dressings out of the fridge for only a short time to keep them from going bad.
• ½ cup of dressing is enough for 4 people. If you don't need a lot of dressing, reduce the amount made.

Conclusion

Copycat Chick-fil-A salad dressings and vinaigrettes are quick and easy to make. You can use fresh, simple ingredients and tweak them to taste just the way you and your family like them. If you have food allergies or are on a certain diet, you can also control the salt and sugar levels so you feel and look your best. Tell us in the comments section below which Chick-fil-A salad dressing is your favorite and what you like to serve it on for maximum deliciousness.

Pair your salad with one of these Chick-fil-A copycat drinks!

• Mocha Cream Cold Brew
• Mango Passion Tea
• Peach Milkshake
• Peppermint Milkshake
• Frosted Coffee
• Frozen Lemonade
• Frosted Sunrise

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