How to Make Your Chicken Taste Like Chick-fil-A (But Healthier)
There’s a reason Chick-fil-A chicken tastes the way it does.
It’s not sugar.
It’s not MSG magic.
It’s pickle brine.
That subtle tang, juicy interior, and crave-able flavor all come from brining the chicken before it ever touches heat. The good news? You can get the same effect at home without fast-food oils or mystery ingredients.
And you can do it with Dill Pickle Salt.
The Secret: Pickle Brine = Juicy Chicken
Chick-fil-A famously brines their chicken in pickle juice. That brine does three important things:
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Adds salt deep into the meat
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Helps the chicken retain moisture while cooking
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Adds that subtle dill-pickle tang without tasting “pickled”
Salt pulls moisture in first, then locks it there. Acidity helps tenderize. Flavor follows.
This works whether you’re frying or grilling.
The Shortcut: Dill Pickle Salt Brine
Instead of saving pickle juice or mixing spices from scratch, you can make a quick brine using Dill Pickle Salt, which already contains the garlic, dill, and tang you want.
Simple Dill Pickle Brine
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4 cups cold water
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2 tablespoons Dill Pickle Salt
Stir until dissolved.
Add:
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Boneless chicken breasts or thighs
Brine:
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30 minutes minimum
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Up to 4 hours for deeper flavor
Rinse lightly and pat dry before cooking.
That’s it.
Why This Tastes Like Chick-fil-A (But Better)
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Brining seasons the meat inside, not just the surface
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Dill + garlic mimic the classic flavor profile
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You control the oil, breading, and quality
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No added sugar or preservatives
The result is chicken that’s juicy, savory, and familiar in the best way.
Copycat Chick-fil-A Style Fried Chicken Sandwich (At Home)
This is the full classic version. Same flavor lane. Better ingredients.
Ingredients
For the chicken
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2 boneless chicken breasts
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Dill Pickle Salt brine (above)
For the breading
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1 cup flour
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1 tablespoon powdered sugar
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1 teaspoon paprika
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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½ teaspoon Dill Pickle Salt
For frying
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Peanut oil or avocado oil
For serving
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Toasted buttered buns
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Dill pickle chips
Optional:
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Lettuce
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Tomato
Step 1: Brine the Chicken
Brine the chicken for at least 30 minutes.
Remove, rinse lightly, and pat completely dry.
Step 2: Prepare the Breading
Mix flour, sugar, paprika, pepper, and Dill Pickle Salt in a shallow bowl.
Step 3: Dredge
Lightly coat the chicken in the flour mixture, pressing gently so it adheres.
Let it rest 5 minutes. This helps the coating stick.
Step 4: Fry
Heat oil to 350°F.
Fry chicken:
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4–5 minutes per side
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Until golden brown and cooked through
Drain on a rack or paper towels.
Step 5: Assemble
Toast buns with butter.
Add chicken.
Top with pickle chips.
Keep it simple. That’s the point.
Want a Healthier Option? Grill It.
Same brine. No breading.
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Brine chicken
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Pat dry
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Grill over medium heat
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Finish with a pinch of Dill Pickle Salt
You’ll still get the signature flavor with fewer calories and zero frying.
Why Dill Pickle Salt Works So Well
Our Dill Pickle Salt is made by grinding real dill, garlic, and spices directly into coarse sea salt. That means:
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No artificial flavoring
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No powdered “pickle flavor”
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Real brine taste without the mess
It’s why this works for brining, grilling, roasting, and finishing.
Where to Start
If you want to try this at home, our Starter Pack includes Dill Pickle Salt along with a few core blends that make everyday cooking easier.
👉 Explore the Summa Salts Starter Pack
Final Thought
You don’t need fast food to get familiar flavors.
You just need better fundamentals.
Salt first. Flavor follows.