In the battle for the ultimate fast food chicken sandwich, the competition is getting intense. A handful of major players recently revamped their offerings. (Looking at you, McDonald’s, Shake Shack, and Burger King.) But ask just about anyone for the most iconic of the bunch and you’re more than likely going to hear one place: Chick-fil-A. Known for its sauces and super-friendly service, the brand has centered its menu around all things chicken—along with some standout extras (hellooo, waffle fries).
And if the thought of fried chicken or salty fries gives you the slightest pause in the interest of health and wellness, don’t worry. All food and drinks can be part of an overall healthy pattern of eating, which means Chick-fil-A is absolutely on the menu at WeightWatchers®. While some items may be more nutrient-dense than others, there is no shortage of tasty selections! And you don't have take our word for it: Browse the entire menu right in the WW app.
Here’s what to order at Chick-fil-A for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack while on our program for weight loss.
Breakfasts
Sure, when looking at the Chick-fil-A menu, you probably immediately think, “Chicken!” but there are some great breakfast alternatives to the classic sandwich. Plus, if you’re heading there more than once a week (or day!), breakfast can be a great place to shake up your routine. Try the egg white grill, Greek yogurt parfait, or egg and cheese muffin, all of which are packed with protein. If you want to go the chicken route, opt for the grilled breakfast filet or Chick-n-Minis (basically hors d’oeuvre–size fried chicken sandwiches).
No matter what you get as a breakfast main, order a medium-size fruit cup on the side for extra fiber. Starting your day with a breakfast that combines protein and fiber is a great way to set the tone for the rest of the day. Alone, foods with these nutrients can be filling, but research has found that this combo is particularly impactful at helping you stay fuller, longer—so you won’t be tempted to graze until lunch.
Top Chick-fil-A breakfast orders
- Egg white grill 7 Points®
- Greek yogurt parfait 7 Points
- Egg and cheese muffin 9 Points
- Grilled breakfast filet 0 Points
- Chick-n-Minis (3 items) 9 Points
- Fruit cup 1 Point
Lunch or dinner
Now, for lunch or dinner: The chicken cool wrap, grilled chicken sandwich, and grilled nuggets (with a lemon kale salad on the side) are all solid orders. Each combines a lean protein with satiety-promoting carbs. In the salad section, both the market salad with grilled chicken (spicy or regular) and the Southwest salad with grilled chicken are great choices as they pack lean protein, lots of flavor, and a variety of veggies (plus some fruit and nuts in the market salad!).
Yes, all the picks include grilled chicken, but if you want the breaded version, get it! Not everything about wellness needs to be counted or measured, so if your inner monologue is telling you that today’s the day for fried chicken, go for it.
Top Chick-fil-A lunch and dinner orders
- Grilled chicken cool wrap (without dressing) 4 Points
- Grilled chicken sandwich (with sauce) 7 Points
- Lemon kale salad with grilled nuggets 3 Points
- Market salad with grilled chicken (spicy or regular) 5 Points
- Southwest salad with grilled chicken filet 5 Points
Dipping sauces and toppings
If you’re a Chick-fil-A regular, you probably already have your go-to dipping sauce…or two…or three. And despite shortages in early 2021 that set the sauce limit to one per item (gasp!), mixing and matching the flavors can be a delicious way to spice up any order. Since our lunch and dinner picks are on the lighter side, it’s easier to maximize the flavor of a dish (or make it more filling) with an extra sauce, side, or topping—without breading, deep-frying, or any cheesy or cream-based toppings that can make a larger dent in your Budget.
The good news: Nearly all the dipping sauces are great additions to any meal. It’s up to you whether you stick with one sauce per bite, double-dip, or drizzle over the top before even digging in.
Top Chick-fil-A dipping sauces
Points value is for each packet.
- Chick-fil-A sauce 6 Points
- BBQ 3 Points
- Honey roasted BBQ 2 Points
- Honey mustard 3 Points
- Sweet and spicy sriracha 3 Points
- Zesty Buffalo 1 Point
- Cilantro lime 2 Points
Top Chick-fil-A toppings
- Lemon Parmesan panko 2 Points
- Crispy bell peppers 3 Points
- Chili lime pepitas 3 Points
Sides
It’s no surprise that waffle potato fries are Chick-fil-A’s most-ordered side. They’re the perfect vehicle for the equally iconic sauce selection and a fun twist on the classic burger-and-fries combo. Stick with a small size in order to be mindful of sodium intake and because, by design, waffle fries equal more potatoes so you’re more likely to fill up on these, compared to the standard takeout skinny fries. Want to add a little extra green to your plate? We could imagine the kale salad being offered at the trendiest of cafés or pricy salad spots. The leafy green is packed with iron, vitamin C, and beta-carotene and is a smart way to add fiber to any order for that protein-and-fiber combo we talked about earlier. Other standout sides: The fruit cup, a cup of chicken noodle soup, and the grilled filets (on both the breakfast and lunch menus).
Top Chick-fil-A side orders
- Waffle potato fries (small) 10 Points
- Side salad (without crispy peppers) 2 Points
- Fruit cup (depending on the season) 0–1 Points
- Chicken noodle soup (1 cup) 4 Points
- Grilled breakfast filet 0 Points
- Grilled filet 0 Points
Drinks
Pair your meal with sparkling water (a.k.a. soda water at the drink station) or unsweetened iced tea. While pre-sweetened iced tea, lemonade, and soda all sound innocuous, they can contain up to 74 grams of sugar in one large-size serving—more than your entire recommended max per day (according to the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans). That said, if you want the classic sweet tea, go for it! Consider ordering a small size, which contains 19 grams of sugar, and staying mindful of other sources of added sugar in the rest of your meals and snacks throughout the day.
Top Chick-fil-A drink orders
- Soda water 0 Points
- Unsweetened iced tea 0 Points
Desserts
Always a delicious, satisfying classic: An Icedream cone or cup is our go-to recommendation, since it hits the spot when you want something sweet (and cold during the summer!). Plus, you’ll add an extra 4 grams of protein to your order. The soft serve is made with more milk versus heavy cream, so it’s lower in saturated fat than the same serving of regular ice cream.
Top Chick-fil-A dessert orders
- Icedream cone or cup (small) 9 Points
Jaclyn London, M.S., R.D., is a registered dietitian and holds a bachelor of arts degree from Northwestern University and a master of science degree in clinical nutrition from New York University. London is also the author of Dressing on the Side (and Other Diet Myths Debunked): 11 Science-Based Ways to Eat More, Stress Less, and Feel Great About Your Body, and she previously served as WW’s head of nutrition and wellness and Good Housekeeping’s nutrition director.
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