✔ Updated · new copycat recipe with step photos
This copycat Spicy Chick-fil-A Sauce takes the classic honey mustard and smoky barbecue dipping sauce and adds real heat with cayenne, smoked paprika and hot sauce. It's a 5 minute whisk together sauce for nuggets, strips and fries.
How Do You Make Spicy Chick-fil-A Sauce? (Quick Answer)
Whisk 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 2 tablespoons smoky barbecue sauce and 1 teaspoon lemon juice with 2 teaspoons hot sauce, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne and 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika. Chill for 30 minutes before serving.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Let it rest in the fridge for 30 minutes. The cayenne and paprika get stronger and the sauce tastes much closer to bottled.
Why You'll Love This Spicy Sauce
- Sweet heat honey and smoke up front, warmth after.
- 5 minutes one bowl, one whisk.
- Adjustable mild to hot with a pinch of cayenne.
- Pantry staples mayo, honey, mustard and BBQ sauce.
- Goes with everything nuggets, fries, wraps and burgers.
What Is the Spicy Chick-fil-A Sauce?
Spicy Chick-fil-A Sauce is a permanent new dipping sauce rolling out to Chick-fil-A restaurants in November. It keeps the mustard notes and smoky tang of the original sauce and adds spicy peppers.
At home, the easiest way to copy it is to start with the classic sauce and build the heat with cayenne, smoked paprika and a vinegar based hot sauce. Find the nuggets and the classic sauce in my Chick-fil-A copycat recipes.
Ingredient Notes
Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.
- Mayonnaise: the creamy base; full fat is best.
- Honey and yellow mustard: the honey mustard side of the flavor.
- Smoky barbecue sauce: gives the tang and color.
- Cayenne, smoked paprika and hot sauce: the heat.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Pick a smoky BBQ sauce. A hickory or mesquite sauce gives the smoky tang.
- Build the heat slowly. Start with 1/4 teaspoon cayenne; you can always add more.
- Want it milder? Use 1 teaspoon hot sauce and skip the cayenne.
- Use it as a spread. It's great on a fried chicken sandwich or in a wrap.
- Store it in a squeeze bottle. It keeps about 1 week in the fridge.
- A family split. Lucy sticks with the original, Max wants the spicy one, so I make both on nugget night.
Spicy Chick-fil-A Sauce
6
servings5
minutes0
minutes130
kcal5
minutesA copycat Spicy Chick-fil-A Sauce: creamy mayonnaise, honey, yellow mustard and smoky barbecue sauce, like the classic dipping sauce, with cayenne, smoked paprika and a splash of hot sauce for heat. Makes about 3/4 cup.
Ingredients
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
2 tablespoons smoky barbecue sauce
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 pinch garlic powder
Directions
- Add the mayonnaise, honey, mustard and barbecue sauce to a small bowl.
- Add the lemon juice, hot sauce, cayenne, smoked paprika and garlic powder.
- Whisk for about 30 seconds, until smooth and an even orange color. Taste and add more cayenne for more heat or more honey to soften it.
- Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes so the spices bloom, then serve with nuggets, strips or fries.
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Storage
Keep it covered in the fridge for up to 1 week. Stir before serving.
More Chicken Dipping Sauces
Serve it with my Chick-fil-A nuggets. For more dipping sauces, try my original Chick-fil-A sauce, Zaxby's sauce and Raising Cane's sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new Spicy Chick-fil-A Sauce?
It's Chick-fil-A's first new permanent sauce in about ten years. The chain describes it as the classic sauce's mustard notes and smoky tang with spicy peppers and a little sweetness, sold in dipping cups and 8 ounce bottles.
How is it different from regular Chick-fil-A Sauce?
The base is the same honey mustard and barbecue flavor, plus heat from peppers. For the original, see my <a href="https://recipefairy.com/chick-fil-a-sauce/">Chick-fil-A sauce recipe</a>.
How spicy is it?
This copycat is a medium heat. Adjust the cayenne and hot sauce to taste.
What do you eat it with?
Nuggets, chicken strips, waffle fries, chicken sandwiches and wraps.
How long does homemade spicy Chick-fil-A sauce last?
About 1 week in a sealed container in the fridge.
