Healthy Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sauce
This post may contain affiliate links.
This homemade, healthy copycat Chick-Fil-A Sauce recipe is exactly like the restaurant’s signature sauce, but better for you. In just five minutes and in the comfort of your own home, you can have a takeout quality dipping sauce. You only need five ingredients total!
Healthy Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sauce Recipe
Eating out when you’re trying to eat healthy can be tricky, I get it. I always try to make it easier for you!
One of my favorite tricks? I love making my favorite restaurant’s signature dishes at home — just check out my Chipotle corn salsa!
Making copycat recipes saves me money, and it’s usually healthier, so I’m totally on board! And today it’s my pleasure (get it?) to share how to make healthy Chick-Fil-A sauce at home. It’s made with clean, whole foods, so it’s Paleo and Whole30 compatible.
I eat it on fries, pigs in a blanket, burgers, chicken nuggets, fish sticks and more, and it’s absolutely fabulous. If you love Chick-Fil-A sauce, you might not even notice the difference.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This copycat recipe is one you’ll make again and again, because…
- It only takes 5 ingredients and a few minutes to whip it up!
- This recipe easy to make, and most ingredients you might already have.
- Making copycat recipes is healthier and can save you money.
Calorie Comparison
Chick-Fil-A makes their signature sauce with ingredients that include honey, soybean oil, corn syrup, refined sugar, and other additives.
And while there’s nothing wrong with that per se, those ingredients are NOT great if you’re following a Whole30 or Vegan way of eating or otherwise just trying to eat healthy. That’s why I think it’s worth it to learn to make your own sauce! You get to customize the ingredients based on your dietary preferences and restrictions, and that results in a version that works for you!
Let’s compare the difference between Chick-Fil-A’s signature sauce and my homemade version:
- Restaurant Sauce: 2 Tablespoons: 160 calories, 15 grams fat, 7 grams sugar, 7 carbs, 0 fiber.
- Homemade Version:* 2 Tablespoons: 60 calories, 3 grams fat, 6 grams sugar, 8 carbs, 1 gram fiber.
*Important note: All nutrition information is estimated and can vary based on several factors, including the brand of ingredients used in your home. I’m simply placing the information side by side so you can get an idea of the nutrition facts and make your own comparisons.
Ingredients
The real food ingredients in this sauce are surprisingly simple. You may even have all of these ingredients on hand already! And if you do, well, you’re in business!
- Medjool Dates: Dates are the key to adding sweetness while still staying within Whole30 and Paleo restrictions! Alternately, you can use honey, stevia, or any other sweetener that works for other other dietary restrictions.
- BBQ Sauce: Use a sugar free homemade bbq sauce or your favorite store-bought brand!
- Mayonnaise: Choose a compatible mayo with no added sugar. If following a Vegan diet, use a plant based mayo.
- Yellow Mustard: Most brands of yellow mustard are already Vegan, Keto, and Whole30 compatible, but always check your labels!
- Lemon Juice: Fresh is best, but the store-bought concentrate is fine if it’s what you have.
How to Make Chick-Fil-A Sauce
Making this homemade dipping sauce is super simple and you’re going to love how great it tastes! Let’s dig — er, dip — in, shall we?
First, soak the dates in about 2 tablespoons of warm water for at least 5 minutes, until softened. (Don’t discard the water!) When dried Medjool dates are rehydrated, they’re softer and easier to blend up into a creamy, dreamy sauce.
Add the date water, dates, BBQ sauce, mayo, lemon juice and mustard to a food processor or blender, then mix it up well on high speed until it’s smooth!
If you don’t have a food processor, you can mince the dates as small as you can, almost making a paste, then mix all the ingredients well.
Storing leftovers
To store leftovers, transfer the mixture to an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator. It will keep for two weeks, unless the expiration of any of the products comes before that.
What to serve with Chick-Fil-A Sauce
Dip french fries, parsnip fries, roasted potatoes, or roasted vegetables in the sauce. You can also use it as a spread on sandwiches, burgers, and collard wraps.
If following Whole30: This sauce is 100% compatible, but Chick-Fil-A fries are not, because fries are not compatible unless you make them yourself (without deep frying)! I use this handy tool to make my own.
FAQ
You can make your own Chick-Fil-A sauce with sweet dates, mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard and BBQ sauce.
When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, homemade sauce will keep for two weeks, unless the expiration of any of the products comes before that.
More Healthy Homemade Sauces
If you make this recipe at home, I’d love to hear what you think of it!
Drop a star rating below or tag me on Instagram @cookathomemom.
Copycat Chick Fil A Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ½ tablespoons warm water
- 4 pitted dates (see note)
- 1/2 cup sugar-free mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sugar-free BBQ sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Video
Instructions
- Soak the dates in warm water for about 5 minutes, until softened.
- Add all ingredients (including the date water) to a food processor or blender. Blend on high until creamy.
