Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley and rye. For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten can cause negative health effects. As a result, those with gluten-related conditions often follow a strict gluten-free diet and must avoid dishes made with gluten-containing ingredients.
The Chicken Noodle Soup at Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A’s chicken noodle soup is made fresh in each restaurant kitchen every day. The ingredients include chicken stock, rotisserie chicken meat, carrots, celery, egg noodles and seasonings.
While the chicken and vegetables are naturally gluten-free, the egg noodles contain wheat flour, which does contain gluten. So Chick-fil-A’s standard chicken noodle soup recipe is not gluten-free.
Gluten-Free Modifications
However, Chick-fil-A restaurants are usually quite accommodating to special dietary needs. You can request to swap the egg noodles for gluten-free noodles. Many locations keep gluten-free pasta on hand for this purpose.
You can also order the soup without noodles, served as just chicken and vegetables in broth. Broth, chicken, carrots and celery are naturally gluten-free.
Some additional tips for ordering gluten-free at Chick-fil-A:
- Request that your soup be prepared in a clean pot and served with clean utensils to prevent cross-contamination
- Verify that the broth is gluten-free by asking if it contains wheat, barley or malt extract
- Ask if they have a gluten-free bun to go with your grilled chicken sandwich
- Sauces and dressings may contain hidden gluten from thickeners like wheat flour, so ask to see ingredients
Cross-Contamination Risks
Even if you modify the chicken noodle soup to be gluten-free, there is still some risk of cross-contamination with gluten in the restaurant kitchen environment. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Noodle boiling water may contain traces of gluten from regular wheat noodles
- Ingredients are all stored and handled together, so gluten could get into your soup from other ingredients
- The counters, utensils and pots may have had contact with gluten from other dishes
For very sensitive individuals, even small amounts of cross-contamination can trigger symptoms and health issues. So those with celiac disease or who react strongly to trace gluten may want to avoid eating at Chick-fil-A to be extra cautious.
Nutrition Information
Chick-fil-A provides the following nutrition information for their chicken noodle soup:
Nutrition Facts | Per 1 cup serving |
---|---|
Calories | 110 |
Total Fat | 2.5g |
Sodium | 680mg |
Carbs | 9g |
Sugar | 2g |
Protein | 13g |
The chicken noodle soup provides a good amount of protein, along with vitamins and minerals from the chicken, vegetables and broth. Ordering it gluten-free allows those with gluten restrictions to enjoy these nutritional benefits.
Alternate Gluten-Free Options at Chick-Fil-A
In addition to modifying the chicken noodle soup, Chick-fil-A has some other naturally gluten-free menu items to choose from:
- Grilled chicken sandwich or nuggets
- Salads with grilled chicken
- Fruit cups
- Packets of nut blends like smoked almonds
- Icedream frozen dessert
Again, it’s best to verify ingredients and preparation methods with restaurant staff to avoid cross-contact with gluten. For example, salads could become contaminated from croutons or dressings.
Dining Tips for Celiacs and Gluten Sensitivity
When dining out with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, following are some tips to stay safe:
- Research the menu in advance and determine your safest options
- Notify your server about your condition and needs
- Ask about how dishes are prepared and what ingredients they contain
- Request that your meal is made without cross-contamination
- Ask for sauces, dressings and condiments to be served on the side
- Check that your order comes out as expected before eating
The Bottom Line
Chick-fil-A’s standard chicken noodle soup recipe contains egg noodles and therefore is not gluten-free. However, you can request swapping the noodles for a gluten-free option or ordering the soup without noodles. Keep in mind that cross-contamination is still a possibility when ordering. Overall, by customizing your order and verifying preparation, you can enjoy a safe gluten-free meal at Chick-fil-A.