The popular fast food chicken chain Chick-fil-A is known for its juicy and tasty chicken sandwiches and nuggets. Many customers rave about how great Chick-fil-A’s chicken tastes, which is a big reason why the chain is so popular. However, there have been rumors in recent years that Chick-fil-A has changed how they prepare and cook their famous chicken. So, did Chick-fil-A really change their chicken recipe or the way they cook it?
Chick-fil-A’s New Chicken Cooking Process
In mid-2016, Chick-fil-A did in fact roll out some changes to how they handle and cook their chicken The change came after about 2 years of testing in select locations. The new process involves marinating the chicken in advance, whereas before the chicken was marinated right before cooking The marinade contains ingredients like chicken stock, garlic, lemon juice, and spices.
The chicken is first marinated, then breaded by hand and pressure-cooked in peanut oil. It is said by the company that pressure cooking makes the chicken cook faster and more evenly. The new method also works better for the kitchen staff.
They used to bread the chicken by hand and cook it in old-fashioned pressure fryers in restaurants. The new method lets the chicken be only partly cooked before it is sent to restaurants, where it only needs to be pressure cooked again to finish.
Why Did Chick-fil-A Change Their Process?
The change was made to improve food safety, according to Chick-fil-A. They have more control over the process and can make sure food safety rules are followed when the chicken is marinated in central kitchens. The company also says that the change is due to the fact that pressure cooking makes the cooking more even and faster.
The new process is also more efficient and allows the restaurants to spend less time actually cooking the chicken from scratch. Since the chicken is par-cooked at the central kitchens, the restaurants don’t have to spend as much time cooking it. This allows them to serve customers faster during busy times.
Customer Responses to the New Chicken
Despite changes to the cooking process, Chick-fil-A maintains that they did not change the actual chicken recipe. The ingredients and seasoning used are meant to be the same as before. However, some customers have complained that the texture and taste of the chicken is different since the change.
On social media and forums, some people have said the chicken is more soggy or mushy than before. Others report the breading falls off easier and the flavor is lacking. Not everyone notices a change though, so opinions are mixed on whether the new process altered the taste and quality.
The change from using fresh never-frozen chicken to now using partially frozen par-cooked chicken is one difference that likely impacts texture and flavor. Even though Chick-fil-A insists their recipe is the same, there are clearly noticeable differences in the end product for some consumers.
Chick-fil-A Stands By The Changes
Chick-fil-A stands by the new cooking process and insists it was necessary to improve food safety and efficiency without changing the actual flavor profile. However, they acknowledge that there may be minor texture differences due to the updated cooking methods.
Since rolling out the process change in 2016, Chick-fil-A has not made any additional major tweaks or reverts back to their original fresh chicken cooking process. The pressure cooking of par-marinated and breaded chicken is here to stay.
While the debate continues on whether the change improved or worsened the chicken, Chick-fil-A remains as popular as ever. Their chicken sandwiches and nuggets still have droves of loyal fans across the country. But there is no denying their process change in 2016 altered the end product to some degree, even if the company claims recipes remain the same. The proof is in the customer responses over the years.
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.
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.
Chick-fil-A announces changes to its chicken. Here’s why and when
FAQ
Did Chick-fil-A change their chicken?
Yes, Chick-fil-A has changed the way it sources its chicken. From chicken raised with “No Antibiotics Ever” (NAE) to chicken raised with “No Antibiotics Important to Human Medicine” (NAIHM), Chick-fil-A switched in the spring of 2024.
Why does Chick-fil-A chicken taste different?
Chick-fil-A chicken may taste different to some customers due to a recent policy change regarding antibiotic use in their chicken, as well as potential variations in preparation methods. A Reddit thread discussed the switch from “No Antibiotics Ever” to “No Antibiotics Important to Human Medicine” (NAIHM).
Did Chick-fil-A change formula?
The popular fast-food restaurant explained that it made some changes to the waffle fries recipe. To keep the fries crispier longer, CFA started using a new coating that includes pea starch.
When did they change Chick-fil-A to Chick-fil-A?
The company has always been officially named “Chick-fil-A,” with the “Chick” part always spelled with a “c. ” The “Chic-fil-A” spelling is a common misconception. It’s possible the spelling “Chic-fil-A” might be a result of the Mandela effect, a phenomenon where a large group of people believe something to be true when it is not.