Copycat Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Master this homemade Chick-fil-A grilled chicken sandwich with a secret marinade that delivers restaurant-quality flavor. The best copycat recipe features juicy, tender chicken breast with perfect grill marks. Easy to follow technique for creating that signature smoky-sweet taste at home.

Difficulty:

Beginner

Prep Time:

15 mins (plus 4 hours marinating)

Cook Time:

8 mins

Serves:

4 sandwiches

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 150g each), pounded to even thickness</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">4 multigrain sandwich buns</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">8 lettuce leaves</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">8 tomato slices</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the marinade:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">120ml apple cider vinegar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">60ml freshly squeezed lemon juice</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">60ml freshly squeezed lime juice</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">80ml pineapple juice</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">60ml honey</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">60ml Dijon mustard</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">3 cloves garlic, minced</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp dried oregano</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tsp paprika</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tsp sea salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp ground black pepper</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp olive oil</li></ul>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size: 1 sandwich

🔥 Calories: 320 calories

🥑 Fat: 8 g

🧈 Saturated Fat: 2 g

🍞 Carbohydrates: 35 g

🍭 Sugar: 6 g

🍗 Protein: 28 g

🫀 Cholesterol: 85 mg

🧂 Sodium: 485 mg

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Grill or grill pan</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Meat mallet or rolling pin</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Resealable plastic bags or airtight container</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Meat thermometer</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Kitchen tongs</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Begin by preparing the chicken breasts. Place each breast between two sheets of plastic wrap and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound them to an even thickness of about 1.5cm. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly and stays tender throughout.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>In a medium bowl, whisk together all marinade ingredients until well combined: apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, lime juice, pineapple juice, honey, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, minced garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, pepper, and olive oil. The acidic components (vinegar and citrus juices) will help tenderize the chicken, while the honey adds that signature Chick-fil-A sweetness.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Place the pounded chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag or airtight container and pour the marinade over them, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Seal the bag or container and gently massage the marinade into the chicken. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight. The longer marinating time allows the flavors to penetrate deeply into the meat, creating that authentic taste.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>When ready to cook, preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 200-220°C). Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Discard the used marinade for food safety reasons.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Place the chicken breasts on the hot grill and cook for about 4 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 74°C when tested with a meat thermometer. Look for well-defined grill marks and a light caramelization on the surface – this indicates the sugars in the marinade have caramelized, creating that signature flavor. Avoid moving the chicken too much during cooking to get those perfect grill marks.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>While the chicken is cooking, lightly toast the multigrain buns on the cooler section of the grill or in a toaster until they're just golden brown. The toasted buns add texture contrast and help prevent them from becoming soggy when assembled.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the grill and allow it to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving. This resting period is crucial as it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring each bite is moist and flavorful.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>To assemble the sandwiches, place two lettuce leaves on each bottom bun, followed by the grilled chicken breast, and top with two tomato slices. If desired, spread a thin layer of honey mustard or mayonnaise on the top bun before placing it on the sandwich. For the authentic Chick-fil-A experience, wrap each sandwich in parchment or foil and let them sit for 1-2 minutes, which allows the flavors to meld and the bun to slightly steam around the fillings.</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Copycat Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Sandwich Recipe?

This recipe requires boneless skinless chicken breasts, apple cider vinegar, citrus juices (lemon, lime), pineapple juice, honey, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, garlic, herbs and spices, multigrain buns, lettuce, and tomato slices. The marinade creates that signature flavour.

How to cook Copycat Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Sandwich Recipe at home?

Learn how to cook Copycat Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Sandwich by marinating pounded chicken breasts in a tangy-sweet mixture for at least 4 hours, then grilling them until they reach 74°C internal temperature with perfect grill marks. Toast your multigrain buns and assemble with fresh lettuce and tomato for that authentic fast food experience without leaving home.

What's the secret to getting juicy grilled chicken like Chick-fil-A?

The secret lies in the acidic marinade and proper preparation. Pound chicken to even thickness, marinate for at least 4 hours (overnight is better), cook to precisely 74°C internal temperature, and most importantly, let the chicken rest 3-5 minutes before assembling the sandwich to redistribute juices.

Can I use a different cooking method if I don't have a grill?

Absolutely! While grilling creates those signature char marks, you can use a stovetop grill pan, a well-oiled cast iron skillet, or even an air fryer (180°C for about 7-9 minutes, flipping halfway). Broiling in the oven also works well as a grilling alternative.

How do the calories in this homemade version compare to the restaurant sandwich?

This homemade version contains about 320 calories per sandwich, roughly 15-20% fewer calories than the restaurant version. You're also getting less sodium (485mg vs 680mg) and can control the quality of ingredients while maintaining the signature flavour profile.

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