Chick-fil-A Deluxe Sandwich

The build runs from the bottom up: a toasted buttered bun, the breaded chicken breast, dill pickle chips, green leaf lettuce, tomato and a slice of American cheese. The plain sandwich stops at the pickles. The Deluxe adds the lettuce, the tomato and the cheese, which is what the word "deluxe" means here.

The Chick-fil-A filet is the star. It is seasoned before it is breaded and hand-breaded in the kitchen, then cooked under pressure so the inside stays juicy while the coating turns crisp. The pickles supply the salty, sour bite that the sandwich is known for. The American cheese is made with cheddar and melts into the warm chicken, while the lettuce and tomato add crunch and a little freshness.

Each topping changes the eating experience. The cheese adds creaminess and salt, the tomato adds juice, and the lettuce keeps the sandwich from feeling heavy. Some people find the cheese unnecessary because the chicken is already rich, and others say it is the reason they order the Deluxe over the plain version.

Deluxe Sandwich vs Chick-fil-A Original Chicken Sandwich

The Deluxe adds three toppings to the original: cheese, lettuce and tomato. That is the whole difference. The original has 420 calories and the Deluxe has 490, so the extra toppings add about 70 calories.

All three use a toasted buttered bun and breaded chicken cooked in peanut oil. For a deeper look at the plain build, see the original chicken sandwich. If you want heat, the Spicy Deluxe and spicy filet details cover the pepper-seasoned version.

The Deluxe is easy to customize because every layer is a separate ingredient. You can ask for a multigrain bun instead of the standard bun. You can remove the pickles, the tomato or the cheese if you do not like them. At most restaurants you can also add extras such as bacon, though add-ons and prices vary by location.

A gluten-free bun is offered at some restaurants for an additional cost. It usually comes packaged separately so you assemble the sandwich yourself, which helps avoid cross-contact because the kitchens are not gluten-free. Ask when you order.

If you want a lighter option, the grilled chicken sandwich option swaps the breaded filet for a lemon-herb marinated grilled breast. It is a different sandwich and not a topping change, but it is a common swap for people who like the lettuce and tomato.

Sauce is the other easy change. Chick-fil-A Sauce is the usual pairing because its smoky sweetness works with the cheese and the pickles. Polynesian and honey mustard are other common picks. You can read about it on the Chick-fil-A Sauce page.

What Comes With the Deluxe Meal

The Deluxe Meal is the sandwich with a side and a drink. In most restaurants that means waffle fries and a medium drink, and you can usually swap the side or the drink. The exact options depend on the location.

It costs more than the sandwich on its own, at $15.15+ on delivery apps compared with $8.95+. If you were going to add fries and a drink anyway, the meal is usually the better value. See the waffle fries page for the side. The meal card appears above next to the sandwich.