Chick-fil-A is one of the most popular fast food chains in the US, and one of their all-time favorite condiments is the well-loved “Polynesian sauce”.
This sauce is used for everything you can think of, from chicken nuggets to burgers, Polynesian sauce works wonders. However, if you have never had the chance to enjoy this delicious sauce, you probably know nothing about it!
Fear not – we will go through everything you need to know about this delightful condiment in the sections below.
What Exactly Is Polynesian Sauce?
Polynesian sauce first made its appearance in Chick-fil-A in 1984, alongside Barbecue and Honey-Mustard sauce. Since then, it has been one of the most popular condiment options in the chain, but what exactly is it?
Well, this sauce is a beautiful bright red and is delivered in individual containers of packed portions. This means that you can easily enjoy it with whatever meal you get. The sauce is savory and consists of a number of crucial ingredients.
These ingredients include the all-important tomato paste, vinegar, corn syrup, soybean oil, beet extraction, and a variety of flavoring ingredients and preservatives. Despite the name, Polynesian sauce is not at all linked to Polynesian culture, just in case you were wondering.
What Does Polynesian Sauce Taste Like?
The flavor of this sauce is different from the ones you might be used to, especially from Chick-fil-A. There is a wonderful combination of sweet and sour, a very potent flavor and a tanginess that will make your mouth tingle in the best way.
You will get to experience a wonderful umami flavor as well as the strong tomato base that the recipe is made up of.
Just one taste and your taste buds will not be able to get enough of it, and those robust flavors will stick around as you enjoy the blend of honey and vinegar.
It is worth mentioning that, while Polynesian sauce is beyond delicious, a small serving does contain 110 calories. As such, it likely is not a great choice for anyone who is trying to keep calories down.
Is It Worth Getting Polynesian Sauce?
It is absolutely worth getting the Polynesian sauce at Chick-fil-A if you love a combination of tangy and savory. This sauce is going to wake your taste buds up and pair wonderfully with anything you can think of.
Even if you don’t get a chicken dish, Polynesian sauce will be a wonderful addition to beef and pork menu items, too. Even if you make your own at home, don’t try to restrict it to your chicken!
What Do You Serve Polynesian Sauce With?
At Chick-fil-A, Polynesian sauce is frequently served with chicken dishes like nuggets, but it can realistically be enjoyed with anything. You could even dip your favorite burgers in this sauce if you would like to try something a little different.
Feel free to spread this sauce on your burger bun, too, so you know that you can get an even spread and enjoy the flavor in every bite. This sauce also works wonderfully with potato dishes.
So, you can start dipping your fries and potato waffles in this sweet and sour sauce, too! You would be surprised by what this sauce will work well with, so just try out different combinations, and you might find a new favorite.
Can You Make Your Own Polynesian Sauce?
Yes! You can absolutely make your own Polynesian sauce in the comfort of your own home if you like. The ingredients needed for this sauce are easy to come by, and there is nothing complicated about the recipe itself.
We will go through three fantastic recipes that you could try out below. Why not let us know which one you like the most, and show some love to the original posts and their creators?
1. The Frugal Navy Wife’s Copycat Chick-Fil-A’s Polynesian Sauce
- Total time: 3 minutes
- Number of ingredients: 3
- Skill level needed to make it: beginner
This recipe only requires three simple ingredients, and it’s just as good as the real thing! Everything you need can be found at your local grocery store if it isn’t already sitting at home, and you need less than five minutes to put it all together! Ingredients needed:
- California French dressing (1 cup)
- Honey (6 tablespoons)
- Apple cider vinegar (3 teaspoons)
To make it:
- Simply whisk everything together until homogenous, and store it in an airtight container to use. This sauce should last a week or more if kept in the right conditions!
2. The Soccer Mom Blog’s Homemade Chick-Fil-A Polynesian Sauce
- Total time: 5 minutes
- Number of ingredients: 3
- Skill level needed to make it: beginner
This is another super easy recipe that you can turn to if you would like a homemade Polynesian sauce to replicate Chick-fil-A’s famous condiment. It really can’t get any easier than this recipe, right? Ingredients needed:
- Catalina dressing (½ cup)
- Honey (3 ½ tablespoons)
- Apple cider vinegar (1 ½ tablespoons)
To make it:
- All you need to do is thoroughly whisk everything together until it is uniform, then transfer the sauce to an airtight container. Keep it in the refrigerator, where it should last up to two weeks.
3. Just A Pinch’s Polynesian Sauce
- Total time: 5 minutes
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Skill level needed to make it: beginner
Looking for a Polynesian sauce recipe that’s a little different? This one uses completely different ingredients to get a fantastic result! If you don’t feel like using ready-made condiments like French dressing, give this recipe a chance. Ingredients needed:
- Pineapple juice (½ cup)
- Honey (¼ cup)
- Worcestershire sauce (3 tablespoons)
- Ketchup (1 tablespoon)
- Ground ginger (1 teaspoon)
- Salt (1 teaspoon)
- Garlic powder (½ teaspoon)
- Cornstarch (optional)
To make it:
- Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl until homogenous. If the mixture is not thick enough, sprinkle in a little cornstarch and thoroughly mix everything again with a whisk. Make sure that everything is properly combined, and all cornstarch clumps are gone!
- Repeat until the sauce is the perfect consistency for your preferences.
Final Thoughts
Chick-fil-A’s famous Polynesian sauce has been a favorite ever since it was introduced in 1984. While it is famous for its incredible pairing with all things chicken, this sauce also works wonderfully with pork and beef.
Whether you choose to get chicken nuggets or a burger of your choice, the Polynesian sauce is absolutely worth trying out if you never have. If fast food isn’t your thing, the good news is that you can even make this sauce at home!
There are plenty of fantastic recipes out there for you to try, but we linked three of our favorites in this article. Why not give them each a try, and let us know which one is the best?
