Cracking the Secret Recipe of Chicken Salad Chick's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chicken Salad Chick is a southern-inspired fast casual restaurant chain known for their made-from-scratch chicken salads. But dessert lovers agree that their warm, melty chocolate chip cookies steal the show. Loaded with chocolate and perfectly chewy, these cookies have gained a cult-like following. While Chicken Salad Chick keeps the exact recipe under wraps, decoding the secrets behind these irresistible cookies is totally doable at home.

Origins of the Chicken Salad Chick Cookie Craze

Chicken Salad Chick was founded in 2008 by Stacy and Kevin Brown in Auburn, Alabama. Their goals were simple - create homestyle chicken salads from fresh ingredients and develop a loyal customer base. The addition of chocolate chip cookies to the menu helped achieve both.

Cracking the Secret Recipe of Chicken Salad Chick's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies

Serving warm cookies as a free dessert spawned word-of-mouth hype. Food bloggers raved about biting into the gooey chocolate morsels. Customers stopped in just for the cookies. As the restaurant expanded, the cookies became a signature item on the menu.

Distinguishing Traits of Chicken Salad Chick Cookies

So what sets these cookies apart from generic chocolate chip cookies? Here are the defining characteristics:

Chewy Yet Sturdy Texture

These cookies have an old-fashioned chew but still hold their shape well. They are sturdy enough for dipping into milk.

Generous Chocolate

Chocolate chips are scattered liberally throughout the dough for pools of melted chocolate in every bite.

Rich Buttery Flavor

A high ratio of butter to other ingredients gives these cookies a rich, almost cake-like taste.

Slightly Underbaked

The cookies have a pale, blonde color indicating they are slightly underbaked. This keeps the centers soft and warm.

Crunchy Edges, Gooey Centers

The contrast of crisp cookie edges with melted, fudgy centers creates irresistible texture.

Choosing the Best Ingredients

Quality ingredients are key for Chicken Salad Chick cookie copycats. Here are optimal options for each component:

Butter

Use real butter, not substitutes, preferably European-style with higher fat content for richness.

Flour

All-purpose flour gives the cookies structure. For extra chew, use 10% bread flour.

Sugar

Granulated white sugar sweetens the dough while brown sugar adds moisture and a slight molasses flavor.

Eggs

Large eggs yield the ideal cookie texture. At room temperature, they incorporate smoothly.

Choosing the Best Ingredients

Chocolate

Semi-sweet chocolate chips offer an ideal balance of dark chocolate flavor with sweetness.

Vanilla

Pure vanilla extract enhances the flavors without altering the cookie's texture.

Salt

A pinch of flaky sea salt balances out sweetness and makes chocolate pop.

Mastering the Method for Perfect Cookies

Technique makes a major difference when recreating Chicken Salad Chick's signature cookies.

Creaming Butter and Sugar

Beat the softened butter and sugars until light and fluffy for proper structure and rise.

Adding Eggs

Beat in the eggs one at a time fully before continuing. This prevents curdling and uneven texture.

Proofing the Flour

Whisking the flour with baking soda and salt aerates it, resulting in lighter cookies.

Chilling Dough

Letting dough chill for at least 24 hours allows flavors to mingle while preventing spread.

Scoop and Bake

Use a cookie scoop for even sizes. Bake on lower oven racks for chewy centers and crispy edges.

Basic Chicken Salad Chick Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Here is a tried and true base recipe for copycat cookies:

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 12 ounces chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl; set aside
2. Cream softened butter and sugars until fluffy
3. Beat in eggs and vanilla
4. Gradually mix in dry ingredients
5. Fold in chocolate chips
6. Refrigerate dough for 24 hours
7. Scoop dough balls onto baking sheets
8. Bake at 375F for 11-13 minutes

Hacks for Taking Cookies to the Next Level

Use these pro tips to mimic the signature Chicken Salad Chick cookie texture and flavor:

Brown the Butter

Browning the butter before creaming caramelizes the milk solids for deeper flavor.

Add Instant Coffee

A teaspoon of instant coffee powder enhances the chocolate depth without tasting like coffee.

Toast Nuts

Roughly chopped toasted pecans or walnuts add appealing crunch.

Flaky Salt

A sprinkling of flaky sea salt on top adds salty contrast and crunch.

Underbake Slightly

Pull cookies at 11 minutes for blond edges and underdone centers.

Make the Cookies Your Own

Personalize your Chicken Salad Chick cookies with fun add-ins like:

Mix-ins

• Toffee bits
• Butterscotch chips
• Dried fruit
• Crushed candy

Spices

• Nutmeg
• Cinnamon
• Cardamom
• Cayenne

Textures

• Sprinkles
• Crushed pretzels
• Mini chocolate chips
• Crumbled bacon

The possibilities are endless for putting your own spin on this classic cookie recipe!

Frequently Asked Cookie Questions

Should I refrigerate or freeze dough?

For best flavor melding, refrigerate dough for 24-48 hours. For longer storage, divide dough into balls and freeze.

If cookies spread too much, how can I fix it?

Chilling dough inhibits spread. Try adding more flour or using chilled cookie sheets.

How do I get cookies chewy?

Take them out when still slightly underbaked looking. The residual heat finishes cooking to perfect chewiness.

Why add both white and brown sugar?

White sugar sweetens and helps with structure. Brown sugar adds moistness and caramel/molasses notes.

Is bread flour necessary?

No, but 10% bread flour adds chew and structure. All-purpose flour alone still makes great cookies.

The Ultimate Cookie for Chicken Salad Chick Fans

With testing and care, it's totally possible to recreate Chicken Salad Chick's insanely addictive chocolate chip cookies in your own kitchen. Be sure to use quality ingredients, pay attention to technique, and underbake ever-so-slightly. Warm, melty, buttery perfection awaits your next cookie craving!