6 Dishes Not on Chick-fil-A’s Menu But Absolutely Should Be

Chick-fil-A was founded in 1946 by Truett Cathy and was originally named The Dwarf Grill, then The Dwarf House. The first shop opened in Atlanta in 1967, and since then, the franchise has taken off across the country. Today there are over 2,600 locations across the country, and stores are branching into other countries like Canada. Chick-fil-A focuses on quality rather than quantity, and this helps to keep the brand popular. Scarcity is the name of the game, and people want what they can't have. If there's a Chick-fil-A on every corner, customers get burnt out on the food. By keeping the pace slow and steady when it comes to expansion, Chick-fil-A keeps the people wanting more.

The stores are known for their welcoming atmosphere and simple menu. Obviously, chicken is the main focus of the menu, but we have a few ideas for additional items that could be added to the menu to enhance the entire experience.

One item we wish Chick-fil-A would invest in is a chicken salad sandwich. We know it's a bit different than the traditional chicken breast and nuggets, but sometimes it hits the spot when you need comfort food. Chicken salad is a traditional Southern dish that matches the company's roots, so it's not much of a stretch to add it to the menu.

A chicken salad sandwich typically includes cooked chicken that's chopped or shredded. Chicken is the star (hence why we believe it's a good addition to Chick-fil-A), but there are a few other ingredients that bring the whole thing together. Chicken is mixed with mayo, which serves as the base. Sometimes, Greek yogurt or mustard is added for a bit of tang.

Vegetables and herbs are up to you. Some common ones included in chicken salad include apples or grapes, shallots or onions, and celery. Some include fresh dill or parsley. You're welcome to add pecans, almonds, or walnuts if you want some crunch in your salad. The salad can be served between slices of bread.

One way to double up the options on the menu is to offer a chicken salad sandwich and a chicken salad wrap. Wraps are often healthier and low-calorie, but occasionally, you just want a sturdy sandwich to get you through the day.

Chick-fil-A's waffle fries are famous, and if you've tried them, you know why. Pair them with a chicken sandwich or some nuggets, and you've got a delicious meal. While many love the waffle fries, we think Chick-fil-A could diversify the sides menu and include some variation on fries. In this case, we think sweet potato fries are a great idea.

Sweet potato fries are healthier than the fried alternative, but the consumption and preparation play a big role in how healthy they are. They're high in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins and minerals. They also cause a slower rise in blood sugar levels than regular fries.

These fries can be baked or fried and are naturally sweet. They have a creamy, soft texture when cooked. Before they're roasted or fried, the potatoes are cut into strips and then seasoned with salt and pepper. Other options for spices include onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, nutmeg or cinnamon, and chili powder or cayenne pepper. If you like your fries crispy, throw in a tiny bit of cornstarch.

Sweet potato fries are even better with added toppings, and we think Chick-fil-A can improve on an already delicious side by adding fresh herbs like parsley, rosemary, or Parmesan cheese. The store's classic sauces (like their original Chick-fil-A sauce) are the perfect complement to sweet potato fries.

We get it. Chicken is in the name, and that's what you can expect. But when you're craving chicken and your best friend is a vegetarian, it's nice to have options. While the restaurant offers salads that come with or without chicken, we think they can get more creative with their vegan or vegetarian options.

There are plant-based chicken options that are ideal for those who don't eat meat. Chick-fil-A could do a crispy tofu sandwich or a tempeh chicken sandwich.

Another option is a heartier wrap or sandwich without meat. We envision roasted veggies, avocado, hummus, and leafy greens combined with a special sauce or a tasty dressing.

Chick-fil-A has a hearty breakfast menu that includes chicken biscuits, Chick-n-Minis, egg white grills, hash brown scramble burritos, and other assorted breakfast sandwiches and bowls. Top it off with a parfait or a fruit cup, and you've got a pretty well-rounded meal. One thing we would like to see added to the menu is a breakfast waffle slider. Because nothing says southern like chicken and waffles.

Breakfast waffle sliders start with mini waffles that act as buns or biscuits. Then protein is added in the form of eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, or, you guessed it - chicken. Then add Swiss, cheddar, or American cheese and melt on top of the protein.

If you want something sweet added, include some maple syrup, cream cheese, or honey butter. You can even add arugula, spinach, or avocado if you want some extra veggies. Finally, top it off with spicy mayo, mustard, hot sauce, or any other one of Chick-fil-A's delicious sauces.

Chick-fil-A's current sides include a side salad, waffle potato fries, fruit cup, berry parfait, waffle potato chips, chicken tortilla soup, chicken noodle soup, and mac and cheese. While this is a pretty decent variety, we think it could be spiced up with some additional options.

It wouldn't require much to add additional sides to the menu, and we've already mentioned sweet potato fries. We think the best way for Chick-fil-A to add to their side menu is to spice up a few of the things they already offer.

Loaded waffle fries topped with sour cream, bacon, cheese, and chives would be a huge hit. Zucchini fries or pickle fries are Southern-inspired and a great alternative to fries. Although the mac and cheese is delicious, we think it could be improved upon in the form of mac and cheese bites. Currently, if you want something salty that isn't waffle fries to go with your entree, your options at Chick-fil-A are limited.

When it comes to chicken sandwiches, nuggets, or strips, it's hard to beat Chick-fil-A's recipe. It's a unique taste that people across America crave. With the addition of salads and one wrap, the company expanded its menu a bit. One thing we'd like to see included in that expansion is chicken and rice bowls.

Bowls are a heart meal option, as proven by restaurants like Chipotle and Son Son. Chick-fil-A could use grilled or crispy chicken and serve it on a bed of brown or white rice. Add some vegetables and dress or a light sauce, and you've got an entire meal that isn't a chicken sandwich.

Vegetables that pair well with chicken and rice bowls include Brussels sprouts, zucchini, bell peppers, and sweet potatoes (with just a little planning, these could be added to the menu in two places). Other good options include snap peas, radishes, carrots, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, corn, avocado, red onions, cauliflower, and mushrooms. We recognize it can be hard to add a huge variety of fresh vegetables to a menu, but even a few options would freshen up the Chick-fil-A menu for us.

Chicken bowls could be spiced up with different sauces. For example, the company's Polynesian sauce would add a unique kick to the meal, while Chick-fil-A sauce would make the taste more familiar to the restaurant. With the huge selection of sauces, the customer could choose their own and create their own arrangement.