What Time Does Chick-Fil-A Start Serving Lunch?

For fans of the brand, it can be hard to turn down something from the Chick-fil-A breakfast menu. From the buttery chicken biscuits to the Chick-n-Minis, the chain has a lot to offer. While Chick-fil-A's breakfast options remain a big pull for hungry customers, its lunch offerings might be even more iconic. In certain parts of the country, fried chicken sandwiches are still synonymous with Chick-fil-A, and the no-frills fried chicken sandwich with dill pickle chips has since become a hallmark of American casual cuisine. 

Many people love it, but what time does Chick-fil-A actually start serving the mid-day meal? Every Chick-fil-A serves its lunch menu from 10:30 a.m. until close, which is typically around 10 p.m. However, there are some things you should keep in mind before heading over to your nearest location with the intention of picking up a sandwich or a Cobb Salad topped with chicken nuggets.

The exact hours of each Chick-fil-A will vary per location, so check the Chick-fil-A app or website before you go to your preferred restaurant. Just remember: Never show up hungry on a Sunday. Chick-fil-A has remained closed on this one day of the week since it began selling chicken out of its first location in 1964. Any other day is still fair game — including some holidays like Memorial Day.

Keep in mind that even though the chicken chain's doors are open, it doesn't mean you can order just anything off the menu at any time. Most Chick-fil-A locations serve exclusively breakfast options during the morning time, which is from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., so don't roll up at the crack of dawn expecting to order off the lunch menu. When 10:30 a.m. rolls around, then it's finally time for lunch. But hey, just like with any rule, there are occasionally some exceptions.

While Chick-fil-A does technically have those exclusive hours for its breakfast and lunch menus, you can still try to order a few lunch items during breakfast or vice versa. If you're lucky, you might get something. Some Chick-fil-A locations will make exceptions and whip up a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich at 9 a.m. — if you're willing to wait a little longer, that is. Still, don't count on it, as accounts of this happening are few and far between, and it seems that many Chick-fil-A locations are strict about their meal hours. And yes, this rule even applies to a regular order of chicken nuggets. 

Even though the Chick-fil-A nuggets are used to make the Chick-n-Minis for breakfast, they are still considered a part of the lunch menu, and some locations might not offer them before 10:30 a.m. Still, when it is time for lunch, everything on the menu (besides the breakfast items) should be available for the rest of the day, so there's no harm in waiting. If you're ready to chow down, let's talk about some of the most popular lunch items Chick-fil-A has to offer.

Chick-fil-A's lunch menu isn't the largest of any fast food chain, but it does boast a number of fan favorites. In 2022, Chick-fil-A's original chicken sandwich reigned as the most commonly ordered entrée on the menu. This has long been one of the most popular picks at Chick-fil-A, and the recipe has stayed the same since it was first invented in the 1960s. The runner-up for the most popular lunch item at the chicken chain goes to the ever-classic Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets. 

Aside from the classic options, let's dig into the more unconventional popular picks from the Chick-fil-A lunch menu. Another favored item at Chick-fil-A, according to Reddit, is the chain's Spicy Chicken Sandwich, which comes seasoned with a special blend of peppers for some added flair. The upgrade to the spicy chicken sandwich, the Spicy Deluxe, is another common order. This take on the original sandwich comes with dill pickle chips, pepper jack cheese, tomato, and lettuce. 

Sandwich options aside, many people also swear by the chain's tortilla soup. Some Reddit fans even claimed it was a lifesaver during the cold winter seasons. Still, there's a lot to choose from for lunch at Chick-fil-A, so if you're having trouble deciding, it's always good to know which menu items other people call their favorites.