Chick-Fil-A Sauce is an addictively delicious dipping sauce so beloved, it was named after the establishment itself. With its smoky honey-mustard vibes, of all the seven dips, this one has become the fan favorite -- one we can no longer enjoy our chicken nuggets and waffle fries without.
Now, you can make your favorite sauce at home, one that tastes exactly like the real thing. It's quick, it's easy, and it makes way more than those tiny 1-ounce packets. Get ready to dip away to your heart's content because today we're uncovering what's in Chick-Fil-A Sauce and how to easily make it at home.
WHAT IS CHICK-FIL-A SAUCE?
You might have noticed this sauce tastes very similar to honey mustard...only a lit-tle bit smokier. Turns out, that smokiness actually comes from BBQ Sauce. Chick-Fil-A themselves admit their signature dip was a bit of a happy accident that took place in the '80s when a staff member accidentally mixed up a batch of honey mustard with their BBQ sauce.
The rest is history -- they named the dip after the establishment, and rightfully so. It is supremely delicious.
While Chick-Fil-A offers an explanation as to how it came to be, they don't offer up the recipe. Fret not. This Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sauce Recipe both tastes and looks identical to the real thing.
For another addictively delicious recipe, try our Crockpot Buffalo Chicken!
WHAT’S IN CHICK-FIL-A SAUCE?
If you were to look over the ingredient list on the sauce packet, you would find ingredients such as soybean oil, mustard flour, xantham gum, and such. These are likely not ingredients you add to your weekly grocery list, and luckily, you won't need them.
You can make a carbon copy of your favorite dipping sauce using the following ingredients:
- Mayonnaise
- Honey
- Yellow Mustard
- BBQ Sauce
- Liquid Smoke
- Paprika
If only it were as simple as combining honey mustard and BBQ sauce. No. To get that signature flavor, you'll have to work a little bit harder than that...but certainly not by much.
Chick-Fil-A Sauce is mayonnaise-based, like most creamy Honey Mustard Recipes. Which makes sense...this dip does have big honey mustard flavor after all. But, it's so much more than that. It's sweet, it's tangy, and it's smoky. Actually, it's really smoky. So much so, that the BBQ Sauce alone just isn't going to cut it. If you want your homemade sauce to taste identical to the real thing, you're going to need a little bit of liquid smoke.
As far as seasoning goes, all you'll need is paprika and a pinch of salt.
HOW TO MAKE CHICK-FIL-A SAUCE
This dip is crazy easy to make. All you have to do is combine your ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine. Seriously -- that's it.
You can keep it in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Serve it alongside Homemade Chicken Nuggets or crispy Oven-Fried Chicken Tenders!
5 MORE DIPS YOU’LL LOVE
- Honey Mustard Sauce at home is just as good, if not better than your favorite restaurant’s! Perfect for both drizzling and dipping, it's sweet, tangy perfection, and it all comes together in 2 minutes or less.
- Easy Ranch Dressing comes together quick with mayonnaise, sour cream, minced garlic and a simple mix of dried and fresh herbs!
- Homemade BBQ Sauce is easier to make at home than you think! Sticky, sweet and tangy!
- Buffalo Sauce is a spicy sauce is perfect for smothering or dipping chicken! Buttery and rich, this Buffalo Sauce is total perfection!
- Homemade Country Gravy is rich and creamy, perfectly seasoned with a consistency made for both smothering and dipping.
Chick-Fil-A Sauce | Best Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons BBQ sauce (preferably thick and sweet)
- ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine.
Notes
Nutrition
Jamie says
I've always wondered how to make this sauce and now I know! Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to try this.
Krissy Allori says
I love this! Great job!
Adrianne says
I love the smokiness that this sauce has!! It sounds delicious and it looks fab also. I will definitely try it with some chicken tenders!! Cheers
Michelle says
Chik Fil A Sauce is my FAVORITE! So excited to make at home!
Roxana says
I like having the secret to the most famous sauce for chicken. Thanks for sharing that.
Jen says
I love the smoky honey-mustard taste of their sauce! And I'm so excited to make it at home, because they limit it where I live!
Andrea Metlika says
OH my goodness, we love Chick-fil=a sauce in our house. Can't wait to make this.
Sophie says
This looks so so good. Love the easy everyday ingredients list.
Jill says
I would not have guessed that BBQ sauce was in the Chick Fil A sauce. Saving this to make!
Becky says
Tastes just like chick-fil-a sauce!
Kelly Anthony says
That's what we thought! 😉 Thank you, Becky!
Gel says
Hi! Is there anyway you can share which brands you used? There are so many different kinds of bbq sauces, mayo, and mustard, i don’t want to get it wrong! Oh, and the liquid smoke as well! I have one at home but im jot sure if its the right kind!
Kelly Anthony says
Hi, Gel! Sure. Here are the brands I used:
* Helman’s Mayonnaise
* French’s Mustard
* Kraft Original BBQ Sauce
* Colgin Natural Hickory Liquid Smoke
* Good Flow Honey Co. Pure Wildflower Honey
Lori Jo England says
Love it
Tiffany says
What kind of liquid smoke. Doesn't it come in different flavors?
Kelly Anthony says
You can typically find mesquite, pecan, or hickory liquid smoke. Feel free to use whichever you have on hand, but Colgin Natural Mesquite Liquid Smoke was used for out recipe development!
Jimena Garcia says
Loved it! I'm from Guatemala an we don't have chick-fil-a here but my boyfriend and I have had it before and this recipe was sooo good because we can have the sauce whenever we want now! Thank you!!!
Mary says
Thanks so much! I want to use this on everything!
Anita says
Yay! I can finally make this sauce myself at home. This is so great with chicken nuggets or chicken tenders. 😀
SHANIKA says
OK, so I'm running over to my kitchen right now to make this! I love Chick-Fil-A's sauce!
Abigail Raines says
My kids are addicted to chick fil a sauce and they're glad I can now make it from home!!! Tasty!
Andrea Metlika says
This is my absolute favorite sauce from Chick-fil-a. I cannot wait to make this!
Connie Jo says
Can I use smoked paprika? I don't think I have regular paprika.
Kelly Anthony says
It might not taste like an exact replica of the sauce, but I'm sure it would still be yummy!
Chelsea says
Delicious! I didn't have liquid smoke so I mixed sweet barbecue and smoked barbecue to get some more smoky flavor. Tastes so good.
Bethany says
Made this tonight & my husband said it was spot on. Thanks for keeping me from embarrassing myself in the CFA line by asking for 10 sauce packs. 🙂 Love that I can make this quickly and it is delish!
Kelly Anthony says
Hahaha! That is amazing. Thank you, Bethany! 😉