The Best Chick-Fil-A Side Actually Isn't The Waffle Fries

You may make a trip to Chick-fil-A for its iconic chicken sandwich, but that's not all this fast food chain has to offer. While the chicken is usually the star of the show, its sides should not be overlooked. There are classics like waffle-cut fries which are always a tasty pairing to a chicken sandwich. However, when we tasted and ranked nine Chick-fil-A sides, we found another option that beat even waffle fries to take the top spot. The Side Salad at Chick-fil-A was the best side, packed with a zesty crunch that can elevate any meal on the chain's menu. 

One of Chick-fil-A's many salads earned the number one spot in our ranking of fast food salads before, so it's no surprise that a similar, smaller version is just as delicious. The Side Salad includes a bed of mixed greens like lettuce and cabbage, grape tomatoes, shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese, red bell peppers, and charred tomatoes . You can pick any dressing that you like, though we stuck to the avocado ranch that it's recommended with. The result was a side that was much more flavorful than anticipated. The dressing gave the crunchy leaves and crisp veggies a creamy, buttery textural contrast, while its tart flavor gave the salad a delicious brightness, making it the best Chick-fil-A side in our eyes. 

While the Side Salad was the most impressive side we had from Chick-fil-A, not every item we tasted was as delicious. The popular mac and cheese that's baked in-house and is a favorite of many customers was at the bottom of our ranking. Its flavor was lackluster and the texture wasn't very gooey. In terms of texture and flavor, which we used to help us rank these items, the Side Salad checked off every box we were looking to fill. 

Besides, we aren't the only ones who are fans of this offering — the Side Salad seems to be quite the popular item. As one Facebook user wrote, "The Chick-fil-A Side Salad ... fresh, crisp, and full of flavor — it's the MVP of any meal!" Pro tip: While this salad is tasty as a side, fans also suggest ordering it with a crispy fillet and honey mustard dressing to turn it into an entire meal. 

A side dish doesn't need to be complicated, and Chick-fil-A's Side Salad proves that simplicity can still be delicious. In fact, Chick-fil-A tried to discontinue this salad in 2023, but customer demand helped it keep its spot on the menu. You may not have thought to swap out those waffle fries for a salad, but you won't be disappointed with this one.