This Chick-Fil-A Sauce recipe has only three ingredients and can be easily made right at home! This addictive sauce is ultra creamy with a sweet, tangy flavor and a hint of smokiness.

“3-INGREDIENT

Three cups of Chick-Fil-A Sauce Recipe

Chick-Fil-A Sauce Recipe

Sweet, tangy, creamy, and totally delicious–that’s been my experience with the famous Chick-Fil-A Sauce. And now instead of smuggling loads of extra packets home for other dishes (what?…that can’t be just me!), you can make a big batch of it all in the comfort of your own home!

There are a few different Chick-Fil-A Sauce recipes out there, but I guarantee this one is the simplest. Who can beat only three ingredients?! But just because it’s the easiest, that doesn’t mean we’re missing out on flavor. We truly can’t tell the difference between this sauce and the one at Chick-Fil-A — it’s that good!

Where Can I Buy Chick-Fil-A Sauce?

I get it! It’s so convenient to buy a bottle of pre-made Chick-Fil-A sauce! And it’s available in a myriad of retailers nowadays including Target, Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, HEB, Publix, and even online on Amazon.

However, allow me to try and convince you why you need this sauce recipe:

  • It’s economical. Making this sauce at home is cheaper than buying it pre-made. The ingredients are inexpensive, and you can make it in bulk.
  • Peace of mind. With homemade sauce, you know exactly what you’re eating. There are no added preservatives, fillers, or allergens, and you can use organic ingredients if you prefer.
  • It’s gluten-free. If you need a gluten-free sauce, making your own is easier than finding one at the store. Just ensure your ingredients are gluten-free.
  • Pretty simple. This recipe comes together in just a few minutes and doesn’t require much effort.
  • Always available. If there’s ever a Chick-Fil-A Sauce shortage, you’ll have this recipe to satisfy your cravings!

Quick Tip

Just in case you aren’t familiar with Chick-Fil-A (maybe you’re not in the US, for instance), it’s a restaurant that serves its own special spin on chicken, along with side dishes like this Chick-Fil-A Kale Salad. The sauce is enormously popular!

Image of the three ingredients used in Chick-Fil-A Sauce

What Is The Chick-Fil-A Sauce Made Of?

This sweet and tangy sauce combines three ingredients: coleslaw dressing, yellow mustard, and honey BBQ sauce. Yep, that’s it! Here’s a quick overview of the ingredients:

  • Fresh (refrigerated) coleslaw dressing. We like Litehouse® or Marie’s® best. You can find this dressing in the refrigerated produce section of the grocery store near other dressings and dips. We haven’t loved the results of this sauce with shelf-stable coleslaw dressings.
  • Honey-roasted BBQ sauce. We like Sweet Baby Ray’s Honey BBQ® sauce best. It adds the perfect hint of smokiness to the sauce!
  • Yellow mustard. Not to be confused with Dijon mustard — the two aren’t the same.

Is There Mayo In Chick-Fil-A Sauce?

Not in my version of the recipe! But, if you aren’t able to find the coleslaw dressing or would prefer the sauce to include mayo, I have also worked through and tested an alternate recipe that tastes nearly identical! Here’s the breakdown:

  • 3/4 cup real mayo. We highly recommend real, full-fat mayo for the best possible dipping sauce. Hellmann’s/Best Foods® is my favorite brand (not sponsored).
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard. Again, not Dijon–it won’t taste quite right here.
  • 3 tablespoons honey. I wouldn’t consider this sauce overly sweet, but it does have a touch of sweetness. If you’re concerned about that, add the honey slowly and to taste.
  • 2 tablespoons honey BBQ sauce. We like Sweet Baby Ray’s Honey BBQ® sauce best in this recipe (not sponsored).
  • Optional: 1 and 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice. The juice adds a nice rounding flavor and a touch of acidity to the sauce.
  • Salt and pepper. A little pinch of salt and pepper goes a long way in rounding out flavors and balancing ingredients.

Overhead image of all the ingredients in the bowl for this Chick-Fil-A Sauce recipe

How To Make Chick-Fil-A Sauce

Skip the trip to the store to buy this sauce — it’s as easy as measuring and whisking together three ingredients! Mix the ingredients together in a bowl and then give it a taste test.

One of the best things about making your own sauces is that you can customize them to your preference. Everyone has different taste preferences and in a dipping sauce, it’s simple to emphasize some flavors over others.

Image of the sauce all mixed together in a bowl

Add This Sauce To These Recipes:

This Chick-Fil-A Sauce is perfect for chicken dishes! Try it with grilled or baked chicken, chicken tacos, and more. It goes really well with chicken!

We can’t wait to hear what you think! And how about a Chick-Fil-A Polynesian Sauce copycat next?!

Overhead image of the Chick-Fil-A Sauce ready to be served

Storage

Sauce Storage

Once the sauce is prepared, transfer to a glass jar or airtight container and store in the fridge. The sauce will stay good for 5-7 days in the fridge.

More Restaurant Copycats

5 from 6 votes

Chick-Fil-A Sauce Recipe

Sweet, tangy, and smoky, this Chick-fil-A Sauce copycat is so simple with only 3 ingredients.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Equipment

  • Medium bowl

Ingredients 
 

3-Ingredient Sauce:

  • 1 cup prepared coleslaw dressing see note 1
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 6 tablespoons honey BBQ sauce see note 2

5-ingredient Sauce:

  • 3/4 cup mayo
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons honey BBQ sauce
  • 1 lemon optional
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • To prepare the 3-ingredient sauce, whisk the ingredients together. Add a tiny pinch of salt and pepper. Taste and adjust anything to personal preference. Chill in the fridge or use it immediately!
  • Juice the lemon with a citrus juicer to get 1-1/2 teaspoons of lemon juice. Whisk the juice together with the other 4 ingredients. Add salt and pepper to taste. I add 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Taste and adjust anything to personal preference. Chill in the fridge or use immediately.

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: You can find this Coleslaw dressing in the refrigerated produce section of the grocery store near other dressings and dips. I haven't loved the results of this sauce with shelf-stable coleslaw dressings. I prefer Litehouseยฎ or Marieโ€™sยฎ.ย 
Note 2: We like Sweet Baby Rayโ€™s Honey BBQยฎ sauce best in this recipe.
Nutrition: The nutrition information is calculated for the 5-ingredient sauce, there are 130 calories in the 3-ingredient sauce.
Storage: Once the sauce is prepared, transfer to a glass jar or airtight container and store in the fridge. This sauce will stay good for 5โ€“7 days in the fridge.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 8.9g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 15.5g | Cholesterol: 8.7mg | Sodium: 186.4mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 8.4g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

 

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

More Recipes You'll Love

5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




15 Comments

  1. Carolyn Faraday says:

    5 stars
    Excellent, excellent dipping sauce! Chik-Fil-A gave me mustard instead of mustard sauce, so I scrambled to find a taste-alike. Made the mayo version WITH the lemon juice (made a big difference). Instead of pitching the leftover like planned, I’ve got it in my fridge. This is THE one to make!!!

    1. Chelsea says:

      Yay!! I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much Carolyn! ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Kathy says:

    5 stars
    This sauce was absolutely delicious.

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      So happy to hear it! Thanks Kathy ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Jennifer says:

    5 stars
    Is there a substitute for the coleslaw dressing or possibly a home made version? I would prefer not to have to buy something I don’t use day to day..frige space is a pericous thing. Love this idea, going to be making the chicken soon.

  4. Brenda Williams says:

    5 stars
    delicious!!

  5. Kay Baer says:

    What brand of honey BBQ sauce do you use?

    1. chelseamessyapron says:

      I really like the Kraft Honey BBQ Sauce ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Rachel @the dessert chronicles says:

    Love this simple recipe! This would go perfect w the homemade chicken tenders I make!

  7. Susan says:

    I am defrosting chicken right now and was wondering what I can do with it. I think simple is best. Roast it and drench it in your delicious sauce! You made my night!

  8. Lindsay Cotter says:

    5 stars
    Such an easy dipping sauce! Great video too by the way!

    1. chelseamessyapron says:

      Thank you so much Lindsay! ๐Ÿ™‚

      1. Susan sipes says:

        What brand of coleslaw dressing do you use

        1. chelseamessyapron says:

          I really like Marie’s coleslaw dressing! Enjoy ๐Ÿ™‚