The Best Chick-fil-A Salads and Salad Dressings

Many people may not think about calories and nutrition when they grab food on the go, but eating out and healthy food don’t have to be mutually exclusive. One way to merge the two is by ordering hearty and flavor-packed meals like Chick-fil-A salads.

There are many ways to enjoy a salad at Chick-fil-A, and this article will provide you with the full scoop.

What Salads Does Chick-fil-A Have?

Chick-fil-A has three salads to choose from—The Cobb Salad, the Spicy Southwest Salad, and the Market Salad. Each salad can be customized to your preference and comes with your favorite Chick-fil-A salad dressing.

Chick-fil-A salads are a filling and well-rounded meal option.

Made fresh daily, each salad comes with a variety of fresh produce and tender Chick-fil-A chicken.

The original recipes include the type of chicken that Chick-fil-A feels complements each salad the best.

However, you can exchange it for any of the following options:

• Nuggets
• Spicy Grilled Filet (Cold)
• Grilled Nuggets
• Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Strips
• Grilled Filet (Cold)
• Chick-fil-A Filet
• Spicy Filet
• Grilled Filet (Warm)
• No Chicken

Any salad at Chick-fil-A can be made vegetarian by requesting it with no chicken (and without bacon for the Cobb Salad).

Ordering a salad without chicken will also reduce the price of the salad.

The salad dressing that comes with each salad can be customized as well.

As with the chicken, each salad comes with a recommended dressing that complements it.

However, there are seven Chick-fil-A salad dressings to choose from, and you can customize your salad by ordering your favorite.

1. Cobb Salad

The Chick-fil-A Cobb Salad is savory and hearty.

It starts with a bed of mixed greens that’s topped with sweet roasted corn kernels, Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses, crumbled bacon, slices of hard-boiled egg, and juicy grape tomatoes.

Warm, breaded Chick-fil-A Nuggets complete the salad, which also comes with a side of charred tomato and Crispy Red Bell Peppers.

To top it off, Chick-fil-A recommends the tangy yet creamy Avocado Lime Ranch dressing.

The Chick-fil-A Cobb Salad is not vegetarian or vegan, and it contains eggs, milk, and wheat.

2. Spicy Southwest Salad

The Chick-fil-A Spicy Southwest Salad is loaded with spice, flavor, and a bit of a crunch.

It is made from mixed greens topped with grape tomatoes, Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses, and a zesty combo of roasted corn, black beans, poblano chiles, and red bell peppers.

This salad comes topped with cold, grilled spicy chicken breast and is served with a side of Seasoned Tortilla Strips and Chili Lime Pepitas.

Chick-fil-A recommends the Creamy Salsa dressing to add the final touches to this flavor-packed salad.

The Chick-fil-A Spicy Southwest Salad is not vegetarian or vegan, and it contains dairy and soy.

3. Market Salad

The Chick-fil-A Market Salad is fresh, sweet, and perfect for warm-weather days.

It features a bed of fresh mixed greens topped with blue cheese crumbles and a colorful mix of red and green apples, strawberries, and blueberries.

This salad comes topped with slices of Chick-fil-A’s grilled chicken breast and is served with a side of Harvest Nut Granola and Roasted Almonds.

To round off this beautiful and delicious salad, Chick-fil-A recommends the Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing.

The Chick-fil-A Market Salad is not vegetarian or vegan, and it contains dairy and tree nuts.

What Are the Calories in Chick-fil-A Salads?

Chick-fil-A salads have between 540 and 850 calories as they are recommended. The hearty Cobb Salad has the highest calories, while the fruit-filled Market Salad has the least.

Chick-fil-A also allows you to customize any salad, so you can make yours as calorie conscious as you’d like.

Below is the list of salads at Chick-fil-A and their calories:

Chick-fil-A Salad	Calories
Cobb Salad	850
Spicy Southwest Salad	690
Market Salad	540

One Chick-fil-A Cobb Salad with all the fixings has the highest calorie count with 850 calories.

This combination includes breaded Chick-fil-A Nuggets, crispy bell peppers, and Avocado Lime Ranch dressing.

The Chick-fil-A Nuggets have 250 calories, the Crispy Bell Peppers have 80 calories, and the Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing has 310 calories.

To reduce the total number of calories in the Chick-fil-A Cobb Salad, you can change the chicken topping to one that doesn’t have breading.

You can also try the salad with a lower-calorie dressing, use less dressing, or leave out some or all the additional Crispy Bell Peppers.

One Chick-fil-A Spicy Southwest Salad has the second-highest calorie count at 690 calories.

This combination includes breaded grilled spicy chicken breast, Seasoned Tortilla Strips, Chili Lime Pepitas, and a Creamy Salsa dressing.

The grilled spicy chicken breast has 100 calories, the Seasoned Tortilla Strips have 70 calories, the Chili Lime Pepitas have 80 calories, and the Creamy Salsa dressing has 290 calories.

All grilled chicken toppings, including the grilled spicy chicken breast, have the same calories and the least calories of all chicken options.

However, you can still reduce the total calories in the Chick-fil-A Spicy Southwest Salad by trying the salad with a lower-calorie dressing, using less dressing, or leaving out the additional Seasoned Tortilla Strips and Chili Lime Pepitas.

The Chick-fil-A Market Salad has the lowest calorie count of the three Chick-fil-A salads, with 540 calories.

This combination includes cold slices of grilled chicken breast, Harvest Crunch Granola, Roasted Almonds, and a Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette dressing.

The included grilled chicken breast has 100 calories, the Harvest Crunch Granola has 70 calories, the Roasted Almonds have 60 calories, and the Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette dressing has 230 calories.

As with all grilled chicken toppings, the grilled chicken breast served on the Market Salad has the lowest calorie count of all other chicken options.

However, you can still reduce the total calories in the Chick-fil-A Market Salad by trying it with a lower-calorie dressing, using less dressing, or leaving out the Harvest Crunch Granola and Roasted Almonds.

What Are Chick-fil-A Salad Dressings?

Chick-fil-A has seven salad dressings, including Avocado Lime Ranch, Creamy Salsa, Garden Herb Ranch, Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette, Light Balsamic Vinaigrette, Fat-Free Honey Mustard, and Light Italian dressing.

Some dressings are creamy and rich, while others are light and vinegar-based.

However, each dressing perfectly complements Chick-fil-A’s famous chicken, and you can customize your salad by choosing your favorite.  

There’s a unique Chick-fil-A salad dressing for every diet and flavor preference.

Every dressing packet contains 2 oz of that counts as one serving.

Next, we’ll dive into each dressing, including how many calories they have and any allergens you should be aware of.  

1. Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing

The Avocado Lime Ranch dressing is a fresh take on a beloved classic.

It puts a twist on creamy Ranch dressing by including creamy avocado, zesty spices, and just enough lime to give it a sour tang.

Each 2 oz packet of Avocado Lime Ranch dressing has 310 calories.

This dressing is not vegan and contains dairy and egg.

2. Creamy Salsa Dressing

The Creamy Salsa dressing is bursting with Southwestern flavor.

Its zesty taste comes from a combination of cumin, hot peppers, tomatoes, and garlic.

Each 2 oz packet of Creamy Salsa dressing has 290 calories.

The Creamy Salsa dressing is not vegan and contains eggs.

3. Garden Herb Ranch Dressing

Chick-fil-A’s Garden Herb Ranch dressing is another take on traditional ranch dressing.

It has a fresh and creamy taste that may remind you of a homemade dressing made with herbs from the garden.

Each 2 oz packet of Garden Herb Ranch dressing has 280 calories.

This dressing is not vegan and contains dairy and eggs.

4. Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing

The Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette dressing combines sweet and tart flavors for a robust blend.

Real apple cider vinegar is combined with fruit juices, spices, and honey to create a balanced vinaigrette that will liven up any salad.

Each 2 oz packet of Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette dressing has 230 calories.

The Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette dressing is vegan and free of all common allergens.

5. Light Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

Chick-fil-A’s Light Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing combines the decadent flavor of real dark balsamic vinegar with herbs and spices.

It’s light-bodied with just a bit of sweetness and pairs well with any Chick-fil-A salad.

Each 2 oz packet of Light Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing has 80 calories.

Light Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing is vegan and free of all common allergens.

6. Fat-Free Honey Mustard Dressing

The Fat-Free Honey Mustard dressing is a healthier take on a favorite sauce and dressing flavor.

It’s sweet and tangy and adds zest to any Chick-fil-A Salad.

Plus, it doubles well as a sauce for any chicken topping that you choose.

Each 2 oz packet of Fat-Free Honey Mustard dressing has 90 calories.

The fat-Free Honey Mustard dressing is vegan and free of all common allergens.

7. Light Italian Dressing

Chick-fil-A’s Light Italian dressing is a low-calorie dressing that’s full of flavor.

This vinaigrette includes a blend of spices that pair well with your favorite Chick-fil-A salad. 

Each 2 oz packet of Light Italian dressing has 25 calories.

The Light Italian dressing is vegan and free of all common allergens.

What Is the Best Chick-fil-A Salad?

Each Chick-fil-A salad is unique in its flavor and ingredients. Although they all have their own fanbase, Chick-fil-A determined that the Cobb Salad was the most popular choice.

The Cobb Salad is a classic combination that is high in protein and rich in flavor.

Each bite will awaken your taste buds with bacon and cheese sprinkled atop a bed of mixed greens.

Slices of hard-boiled egg add an extra boost of protein, and the warm, breaded Chick-fil-A Nuggets top this salad off perfectly.

Although the high calories of this salad may make some disagree with it being the best, the customization options allow you to adjust it to your dietary preferences.

You can exchange the nuggets for your favorite grilled chicken option.

In addition, you can replace the Avocado Lime Ranch dressing with a light vinaigrette or the Fat-Free Honey Mustard dressing to create a healthier option.

Does Chick-fil-A Have Salads in the Morning?

Chick-fil-A salads are not on the breakfast menu; however, many restaurants don’t mind preparing lunch and dinner items in the morning, but the wait times will likely be longer.

The Chick-fil-A lunch hours officially start at 10:30 am, and restaurants that are open earlier will serve a breakfast menu before that.

Chick-fil-A salads are not part of the breakfast menu because most restaurants don’t have the room to have all ingredients out at once.

However, it is not uncommon for restaurants to allow ordering lunch and dinner menu items in the morning.

To order a Chick-fil-A salad during breakfast hours, the first thing to do is ask your restaurant if they will prepare it for you.

Chick-fil-A restaurants are franchise-owned and can each make their own decision about what they serve.

If they agree to make your salad in the morning, you’ll likely have to wait longer as they pull the ingredients out of storage and prepare your meal fresh.

Be sure to come with at least 5-10 extra minutes to spare and thank them for going out of their way to accommodate your request!

Conclusion

Chick-fil-A salads combine a hearty mix of fresh produce with tender chicken and your favorite dressing.

Each salad at Chick-fil-A features a unique mix of ingredients and can be customized to your preference.

Between the hearty Cobb Salad, the Spicy Southwest Salad, and the colorful Market Salad, there’s a salad to satisfy any appetite.

If you’re looking for more information about Chick-fil-A, check out the articles below.

Related Articles:

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How Chick-fil-A Delivery Works and How to Order

What Exactly Are Chick-fil-A Fries and How Are They Made?

Can You Buy Chick-fil-A Sauces in Bottles? (Yes, Here’s Where)

Chick-fil-A Sandwiches: Here Are the Ingredients, Calories, and Prices