Chick-fil-A Carrot and Raisin Salad: Easy Copycat Recipe

Recreate the beloved taste of Chick-fil-A’s legendary carrot and raisin salad with this authentic copycat recipe that brings back the refreshing sweetness and vibrant textures that made this side dish a customer favorite for nearly five decades. This delightful combination of crisp julienned carrots, plump raisins, and sweet pineapple tidbits creates a colorful medley that’s more like a fruity coleslaw than a traditional salad, offering the perfect balance of crunch, sweetness, and creamy richness.

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What makes Chick-fil-A Carrot and Raisin Salad so good? 

The genius of Chick-fil-A’s carrot and raisin salad lies in its perfect balance of textures and flavors that create a refreshing side dish unlike any other. The julienned carrots provide essential crunch and natural sweetness, while the raisins add chewy texture and concentrated fruit flavor. The pineapple tidbits contribute tropical brightness and extra moisture, while the creamy mayonnaise-based dressing binds everything together with tangy lemon juice, preventing the salad from becoming overly sweet.

What Made This Dish Legendary

From 1967 to 2013, this carrot and raisin salad held a special place on Chick-fil-A’s menu as a healthier alternative that didn’t sacrifice flavor for nutrition. The combination of fresh vegetables, dried fruit, and creamy dressing created a unique side dish that appealed to health-conscious diners while satisfying those craving something sweet and refreshing. Its discontinuation after 46 years sparked such customer outcry that Chick-fil-A eventually released the official recipe.

Ingredients

Fresh Components:

• Carrots – Choose firm, bright orange carrots for optimal sweetness and crunch
• Pineapple tidbits – Provide tropical sweetness and moisture to balance the textures
• Raisins – Use regular or golden varieties for chewy texture and concentrated sweetness

Creamy Dressing:

• Mayonnaise – Creates the rich, creamy base that binds all ingredients together
• White granulated sugar – Balances the tangy lemon juice and enhances natural fruit sweetness
• Fresh lemon juice – Adds bright acidity that prevents excessive sweetness and enhances flavors

Ingredient notes

If you don’t have pineapple tidbits, you can chop fresh or canned pineapple into quarter-inch cubes and use them. 

The fresh lemon juice in this recipe is key to making the flavors pop. Please don’t substitute bottled lemon juice. 

How to prepare Carrot and Raisin Salad

To make the copycat Chick fil A Carrot Raisin Salad recipe:

1. Peel and shred the carrots into a large bowl. You can save your knuckles by skipping the box grater using a Juliane peeler or a mandolin instead. 
2. Drain the pineapple tidbits and dump them into the bowl.
3. Add the raisins and stir well. 
4. In a separate bowl, prepare the dressing for the salad by whisking together the mayonnaise, white granulated sugar, and fresh lemon juice. 
5. Save each component of the salad separately in the fridge, or stir together and chill the carrot mixture for at least an hour before serving. 

What to serve it with? 

Enjoy this standout salad as a snack, or serve it as a side. Here are several suggestions for you to try, but leave your favorites in the comment section below:

• Chicken. Fried, baked, or grilled, the sweet creaminess of Carrot and Raisin Salad pairs well with the mild flavors of chicken. Serve it on the side or as a topping if you are making a chicken sandwich. 
• Grains. Turn a bowl of couscous or quinoa into a healthy meal by topping it with a scoop of this salad. Add slices of cooked chicken or tofu for more protein. 
• Smoked meat. This Chick fil A Carrot Raisin Salad recipe contrasts beautifully with smoked meat and tangy BBQ sauces. 

Storage & Reheating Instructions

• Serving Preparation: Stir gently before serving and return to refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour after mixing.
• Refrigerator Storage: Dressed salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or undressed components for up to 4 days.
• Component Storage: Keep dressing separate from vegetables until ready to serve to maintain optimal texture and prevent soggy carrots.

More Chick-fil-A copycat recipes

• Chick-fil-A Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing
• Chick-fil-A Cool Wrap
• Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese
• Chick-fil-A Minis
• Chick-fil-A Spicy Deluxe Sandwich
• Chick-fil-A Tortilla Soup

Favorite salad side dish recipes

• Broccoli Salad
• Costco Quinoa Salad
• Grape Salad
• Lime Jello Salad with Cottage Cheese
• Macaroni Salad
• Sauerkraut Salad
• Waldorf Salad

Check out my easy side dish recipes and the best copycat Chick-fil-A recipes on CopyKat!