Chick-fil-A is renowned for its delicious pressure-cooked chicken, and it's no secret that it's cooked in peanut oil. But what about their grilled chicken? Is it cooked in the same oil? The answer is yes. Every piece of grilled chicken that comes out of a Chick-fil-A kitchen has been cooked in 100% refined peanut oil. This means that the peanut protein has been eliminated, making it safe for people with peanut allergies to eat.
Refined peanut oil is ideal for establishments that serve fried foods, as it prevents flavor transfer. Chick-fil-A wanted to create a grilled chicken breast that tasted like it came off the backyard grill, but the technology didn't exist at the time. So they used their patented hydraulic system to apply the perfect amount of pressure to the chicken, resulting in a juicy, tender cut of meat that cooks quickly and marks the true grill. It's important to note that not all peanut oil is treated equally.
Consumers should be careful when buying peanut oil foods or ingredients. Local restaurants across the country use 100 percent refined peanut oil to pressure cook all of their breaded chicken. According to the FDA, highly refined oils, such as highly refined soybean and peanut oil, are not considered the main food allergens. If you're like most humans and you're a fan of Chick-Fil-A, you can rest assured that their grilled chicken is cooked in peanut oil.
However, if you have a peanut allergy, you should be aware that their grilled nuggets may be cooked on the same grill as their buns, which could mean breadcrumbs on top of them. In this case, Five Guys Burger and Fries would be a better option.