Healthy Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sauce
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If you love Chick-fil-A sauce but are looking for a healthy alternative that you can make at home, you need this Healthy Copycat Chick-fil-A Sauce recipe. This sweet-tangy dip is perfect for chicken tenders, french fries, and sandwiches.
You can make at Healthy Copycat Chick-fil-A Sauce at home!
I love the challenge of making my takeout or fast food favorites in a healthier version at home. So a few weeks ago I asked my followers for a sauce recipe that they wanted me to remake at home and Chick-fil-A sauce was the top result. I created this healthy copycat Chick-fil-A sauce as a healthier alternative to the original.
You may be interested to hear how I went about creating this healthy copycat Chick-fil-A sauce. I started by reading the ingredient list on the original sauce and was less than impressed by that list of ingredients.
I knew that the sauce needed to be sweet and tangy like honey mustard, but creamy like mayonnaise. The other component of the traditional Chick-fil-A sauce is barbecue flavor and smoke. I used smoked paprika to get that smoke flavor naturally.
What kitchen tools will I need to make Chick-fil-A sauce at home?
- Measuring spoons
- Liguid measuring cup
- High speed blender or immersion blender
- Half pint jars for storage
What should I serve with this healthy Chick-fil-A sauce?
I make this copycat Chick-fil-A sauce when I want the taste of fast food, but at home with healthier ingredients. I serve this delicious sauce with other homemade fast food favorites like crispy baked french fries and air fryer popcorn chicken.
What ingredients will I need to make this copycat nugget sauce?
For full transparency, my healthy copycat Chick-fil-A sauce might not be as sweet as the sauce you remember, but it will be better for you. The only sweetener in this sauce is honey. Unlike the original sauce, which has processed sugars.
- Egg
- Yellow mustard
- Honey
- Tomato paste
- Apple cider vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- Extra light olive oil
How to make Copycat Chick-fil-A Sauce
Step 1: Blend ingredients without oil
First, add egg, yellow mustard, honey, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, onion powder, garlic powder and smoked paprika to a blender. Then, blend on high until a smooth and even mixture remains.
Step 2: Stream in oil while blending
Next, keep the blender running on medium-low speed and pour the oil in from the top in a slow and even stream. Increase the speed of the blender as you pour the oil in. Then, blend until a smooth, creamy sauce remains.
Step 3: Store in the refrigerator and enjoy!
Finally, pour the copycat Chick-fil-A sauce into a jar or other airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
How long can I keep this sauce in the fridge?
Once prepared, store this sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. I like to store it in half-pint containers
Can I use an immersion blender to make copycat Chick-fil-A Sauce?
If you do not have a regular blender, you can use an immersion blender, but your sauce will be a bit thicker.
Check out these other homemade dipping sauces!
Keep reading to find the full recipe for this healthy copycat Chick-fil-A sauce. If you make the sauce, please let me know in the comments or on Instagram.
Healthy Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sauce
Make Chick-fil-A Sauce at home with this healthy copycat recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 egg – room temperature
- 3 tbsp yellow mustard
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 1/4 cup extra light olive oil
Instructions
- Add egg, yellow mustard, honey, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika to a blender
- Blend on high untilfully combined
- With the blender running on low-medium speed, pour the oil into the blender in a slow steady stream
- Increase the speed of the blender as your pour the oil in
- Blend until the sauce is thick and creamy and the oil is fully incorporated
- Pour sauce into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 1 week
Sharon says
What if I dont have a blender, can I use a hand mixer of whisk verigously with a wire whisk?
Madeline says
Hi I havent tried it, but a hand mixer may work jut be sure to pour the oil in a slow, steady stream while the mixer is running
Brie says
Hi I just have a quick question in terms of healthier you just mean more wholesome ingredients instead of processed because with a 1 1/4 cup of olive oil can’t be many less calories than the original sauce?
Madeline says
This is the original ingredient list. Soybean oil, sugar, BBQ sauce (tomato paste, corn syrup, vinegar, natural hickory smoke flavor, caramel color, spices, garlic*, onion*, natural flavor, oleoresin paprika), water, mustard (distilled vinegar, water, mustard seed, salt, turmeric, paprika, spice, garlic*), distilled vinegar, egg yolk, salt, cider vinegar, lemon juice concentrate, mustard flour, natural flavor, xanthan gum, garlic*, calcium disodium EDTA added to protect flavor. *dehydrated.
In my opinion mine is healthier, but if you’re only concerned about calories then maybe a different option is for you. Also, that 1 1/4 cup of oil makes MANY servings.
Kari says
Thank you for this awesome, healthier, real food copycat recipe! You are appreciated, especially by my kiddos;-)
Madeline says
YAY! That makes me so happy
Sofia says
Can’t wait to try it!
I’m thinking I might use avocado oil instead to use what I have in my pantry… do you think it’ll be fine?
Madeline says
Should be fine!!
Hannah says
Any suggestions to make this egg free?
Madeline says
You can leave the egg out! It will not be as thick, but still tasty!
Hannah says
Great, can’t wait to give it a try, thanks!
Tanya says
Excited to make this tonight! Any suggestions for the tomato paste exchange? Damn quarantine!
Madeline says
Try 2 tbsp of tomato puree (if you have that) or 2 tbsp ketchup!
Katie says
Can I use regular olive oil? I don’t have ‘light’ olive oil like the recipe calls for. Would vegetable oil work better?
Madeline says
Hi! Yes please use vegetable oil. It needs to be light tasting. EVOO makes the sauce bitter
Taryn says
Deeeeelish
Made this lastnight in my tiny blender (single smoothie ones) still did the trick! I was super impressed how thick and saucy it was, even with a different blender. And deff didn’t feel guilty eating it 😬
You are inspiring!
★★★★
Madeline says
YAY! So glad you enjoyed!!
Melissa says
How did you figure out the nutrition facts? They seemed all wrong so I typed them into a nutrition fact calculator and for one serving of 2 tablespoons is 221 calories and 23.8 grams of fat…and that was using the lowest calorie and lowest fat items I could find… how does that work. Seems like a scam for all your viewers who are tracking.
Madeline says
Not trying to scam anyone. I was missing an ingredient. I have updated the recipe. Sorry to have mislead I assure you its not my intention.
Molly says
Needed some comfort food tonight so I made this along with chicken tenders and french fries. This sauce is AMAZING. It’s such a strange combo of ingredients, but everything comes together and it really does taste like the real thing. I used grape seed oil instead of olive and I think it worked well.
★★★★★
Madeline says
ah YES! I love that! So fun to be able to make comfort food at home during this time.
Jess Mitchell says
Just made so yummy . Take just like Chick-fil-A sauce. It’s perfect.
★★★★★
Jess Mitchell says
* Taste
Typo!!
Sheen says
Chick-fil-a sauce is 140 Cal per oz which is 2 tbsp. This recipe is 221 Cal per tbsp. So the homemade version is 3 times the calories comparing to original. Just something you want to be aware if you’re tracking your calories.
Madeline says
Yay! So glad! Thank you
Tara Durkot says
Easy and really good!! Ate it with the chicken tenders. Thanks!!
★★★★★
Madeline says
Amazing!! Thank you for the idea because we did the same last night!!
Chelsea says
I love this recipe so much! I use an immersion blender and it comes out wonderfully! Thanks for a healthy option!
★★★★★
Madeline says
amazing!! thank you!!!
Jess Mitchell says
I enjoy this better than the real thing. Just had the real stuff and realized it was too sweet. This sauce is perfect. Goes with everything. Make with her nuggets recipe, or even the air fried tofu. Even up in a sandwich. Yum.
★★★★★
Madeline says
amazing!! thank you so much!!
Christina DiCindio says
Made this for my family and they made me commit to making it once a week so we’re always stocked up! It is delicious and we all feel better about the ingredients in this recipe!!! Thanks Madeline!
★★★★★
Madeline says
yay thanks! love to hear it!
Jessica says
Is this safe to add a raw egg to a sauce that is not cooked?
Madeline says
The vinegar in the mix should kill bacteria or you can look into how to pasteurize an egg at home. Hope this helps!
Kel says
Trying to remove all the highly processed oils from my diet and it’s incredibly hard to find processed foods in the grocer without them (Soybean, Canola, Cottonseed, Rapeseed, Corn, Vegetable, etc etc). So great that you made a clean version of this addictive sauce I may switch light olive oil with extra virgin.
Madeline says
So happy to help! Thanks, Kel!