Chick-Fil-A Sauce Is Way Less Complicated Than It Looks

It's hard to deny that Chick-fil-A's wide array of sauce options pairs perfectly with its crispy chicken. Of those sauces, Chick-fil-A sauce reigns supreme. In a Mashed survey of nearly 8,000 Chick-fil-A fans, more than half of voters called the restaurant's namesake condiment their favorite. Chick-fil-A sauce has always tasted familiar, but it comes with just enough of a unique, complex flavor that not everyone can put their finger on just what's in it. Thankfully, it's really not all that complicated. In fact, somewhat surprisingly, this tangy yet sweet sauce is just a blend of three classic condiment favorites: savory barbecue sauce, honey mustard, and tangy ranch dressing.

Yes, you could have been making this simple sauce at home and enjoying its rich taste without ever stepping into a Chick-fil-A. Of course, you can also buy a big bottle of it right off the store shelves these days, but if you read through all of the ingredients, you won't really get a sense of how it all comes together. The ingredients list only shows what's in those three sauces, making this secretive triple threat seemingly that much harder to nail down. Nevertheless, it really is that simple.

Amazingly, Chick-fil-A's famous sauce was created by accident. It was the brainchild of Hugh Fleming, who owned a Virginia Chick-fil-A location. Fleming created a special honey mustard for his customers to pair with their chicken, but he mistakenly added barbecue sauce. When he tasted the combination, he was sold. Eventually, word spread that patrons loved the condiment, and it became Chick-fil-A's signature dip.

There's science behind why people are drawn to sweet and salty flavors, such as Chick-fil-A's honey-mustard-barbecue-ranch combo. First, our bodies use glucose for energy and salt for cell function. So, whenever we eat something sweet or salty, it's largely because we naturally crave these flavors. And second, when we satisfy that urge by eating, our bodies release dopamine, which actually makes us happier. We continue to seek those tastes because our bodies like that dopamine release.

When it comes to Chick-fil-A sauce, the sweetness from the honey mustard paired with the salty barbecue sauce and the rich ranch dressing creates this perfect trifecta of flavors. It's a combination that legions of fast food fans appreciate. This could help explain why Fleming realized he had a hit on his hands when he accidentally invented it in 1983. 

Nobody will fault you for continuing to collect those little packets at the restaurant or for buying bulk Chick-fil-A sauce at the grocery store. But if you're interested in making it yourself, then you have to nail down the perfect ratio — except, one may not exist.

Depending on who you ask, you'll find many different measurements for these three ingredients. Some food bloggers say it's a 4 to 2 to 1 ratio of four parts honey mustard, two parts ranch, and one part barbecue sauce, while others say it's an equal distribution of all three. It ultimately depends on your preference. If you prefer it on the sweeter side, add a little more honey mustard. If you like a savory kick, step up the barbecue sauce, and if you're all about the richness, then ranch should rule.

The easiest way to make it at home is to start with equal parts. Then, you can increase the different flavors as needed until you find that sweet and savory combination that will pair perfectly with your favorite fried chicken.

Static Media owns and operates Chowhound and Mashed.