Look, we’ve all been there. You volunteered to host the watch party, or maybe it’s your kid's birthday, and suddenly you realize you need to feed twenty people who all have a very specific, borderline-obsessive craving for those little bites of breaded heaven. You start wondering how much are chicken nugget trays at chick fil a because, honestly, buying fifty individual boxes is a logistical nightmare.
The short answer? It depends. I know, that's annoying. But because Chick-fil-A operates mostly on a franchise model, the owner of the spot down the street from you in NYC might charge five or ten bucks more than the one in rural Ohio. Generally, though, you’re looking at a range starting around $38 for a small and climbing up toward $115 or more for the massive "I’m feeding the whole office" size.
Pricing is weirdly localized. If you open the app right now, you’ll see the "base" price, but that shifts once you select your specific restaurant. It isn't just about the nuggets, either. You’re paying for the convenience of that giant cardboard briefcase and the fact that they’ll actually have 200 nuggets ready at exactly 11:15 AM if you ask them nicely.
The Raw Numbers: What You’ll Actually Pay
Let’s get into the weeds. Chick-fil-A offers three main sizes for their nugget trays: Small, Medium, and Large.
A Small Tray usually holds 64 nuggets. On average, this runs between $38 and $45. This is the "family dinner plus leftovers" size. It supposedly serves about 8 people, but let’s be real—if you’re hanging out with people who actually like food, it’s more like 5 or 6 people.
Then there’s the Medium Tray. This is the workhorse of the catering menu. It packs 120 nuggets and usually lands in the $70 to $85 range. This is the one you see at most graduation parties. It’s a lot of chicken. It’s meant for 15 people, but again, that assumes everyone is being polite and only taking eight nuggets.
Finally, the Large Tray is the monster. 200 nuggets. Expect to pay anywhere from $110 to $135 for this one. It’s heavy. It’s impressive. It’s roughly 25 servings according to the official Chick-fil-A nutrition guide.
Prices have definitely crept up over the last couple of years. Inflation hit the poultry industry hard—avian flu outbreaks and supply chain kinks made wholesale chicken prices jump, and those costs eventually landed on our catering invoices. You’re likely paying about 15% more today than you were three years ago.
Why the Price Fluctuates
Location is everything. If you're in a high-rent district or a city with a higher minimum wage, your tray is going to cost more. Franchisees have a fair amount of leeway to set prices that reflect their specific overhead.
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Also, don't forget the hidden costs. The dipping sauces? They usually give you an 8-ounce tub (or several) with a tray, but if you want the specialty dressings or extra tubs of that nectar-of-the-gods Chick-fil-A Sauce, some locations might tack on a few extra dollars.
And then there's delivery. If you’re ordering through the app for delivery, or using a third-party service like DoorDash or UberEats, the price of the tray itself is often marked up. I’ve seen 120-count trays listed for $15 more on delivery apps than they are for in-store pickup. That’s before the delivery fee. And the tip. It adds up fast.
Comparing Nuggets to Strips
Sometimes people get fancy and want the Chick-n-Strips instead. It’s a different vibe. More "adult," maybe?
The pricing for strip trays is different because the count is lower. A small strip tray has 24 pieces and costs roughly the same as the 64-count nugget tray. A medium has 45 strips, and a large has 75.
If you’re trying to figure out which is the better value, it usually comes down to the "weight" of the meat. Nuggets are easier to share and better for kids. Strips feel like more of a "meal." But if you’re strictly looking at the bottom line of how much are chicken nugget trays at chick fil a, the nuggets almost always give you more "bites" per dollar spent.
The Sunday Problem
It’s a classic trope for a reason. You need a tray for the big game on Sunday, but Chick-fil-A is closed.
The move here is the "Reheatable Tray." Not many people realize you can order these. They’re basically the same nuggets, but they’re chilled. You pick them up on Saturday, shove them in your fridge, and then pop them in the oven on Sunday.
The price is typically the same as the hot trays. The advantage is that they don’t get soggy in the fridge like hot nuggets do when they cool down. The instructions usually tell you to bake them at 325°F for about 15 to 20 minutes. Honestly? It’s sometimes better than the fresh ones because you can get them extra crispy in your own oven.
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Is the Tray Actually a Deal?
This is where it gets interesting. If you do the math, are you actually saving money by buying a tray versus just buying a bunch of 30-count boxes?
Let’s look at a 30-count box of nuggets. In many markets, that costs around $16.50.
If you bought four 30-count boxes (120 nuggets total), you’d spend $66.
A Medium Tray (120 nuggets) often costs $75 or more.
Wait. Why is the tray more expensive?
Packaging and service. You’re paying for the sturdy catering tray, the specialized box it comes in, the large-format sauce tubs, and the fact that the kitchen treats a catering order with a specific "on-time" priority. If you just walk in and order four 30-count boxes, you’re getting four cardboard boxes in a plastic bag. It’s a mess to serve at a party. The tray is for the "set it and forget it" crowd.
If you are on a strict budget and don't care about the presentation, buying multiple 30-count boxes is almost always the cheaper route. Just ask for a bunch of individual sauce packets. It’s a bit of a "life hack," though it makes you look a little less polished when you show up to the potluck.
Dietaries and Alternatives
We have to talk about the Grilled Nuggets. People forget they exist in tray form.
They are significantly more expensive. Why? Because grilled chicken is harder to prep in bulk and the yield is lower. A Small Grilled Nugget Tray (64 count) can easily run $55-$60. It’s a great option if you have friends who are gluten-sensitive or just trying to avoid the breading, but your wallet will feel it.
Chick-fil-A is pretty good about cross-contamination, but if you have a serious Celiac in the group, a tray is a risk. Those nuggets are often prepped in the same area. Always call the specific manager if you're worried about allergies; don't just rely on the app notes.
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How to Order to Save the Most Money
If you’re going to pull the trigger on a tray, do it through the Chick-fil-A One app. This is non-negotiable.
A Large Tray is a massive point-earner. If you spend $120 on a tray, you’re earning over 1,000 points (depending on your status tier). That’s basically two free sandwiches or a bunch of fries for your next solo visit. If you call the order in over the phone and pay at the counter without scanning your app, you’re essentially throwing away $10 in future food.
Also, check for "Bundle" options. Some locations offer a tray plus a gallon of Sweet Tea or Lemonade for a slightly discounted rate compared to buying them separately.
Final Verdict on the Cost
Expect to spend about $0.60 to $0.75 per nugget when you buy a tray.
Is it the cheapest way to eat chicken? Absolutely not. You could buy five pounds of frozen nuggets at Costco for the price of a small Chick-fil-A tray. But we aren't talking about Costco nuggets. We’re talking about the specific brine, the peanut oil, and that localized cult-following that only Chick-fil-A has.
For a party of 10-12, a Medium Tray is your best bet. Budget about $85 to be safe, including tax. If you have leftovers, they air-fry beautifully the next morning.
Next Steps for Your Order:
- Download the App: Check your specific local restaurant's "Catering" menu to see the exact price, as it will vary by zip code.
- Order 24 Hours Ahead: While some stores can handle a tray with a 2-hour notice, giving them a full day ensures your nuggets are fresh and ready exactly when you arrive.
- Choose Your Sauce Strategically: A medium tray usually comes with two 8oz sauce tubs. If you have a crowd, get one Chick-fil-A Sauce and one Polynesian to cover the most popular bases.
- Consider the "Cold" Option: If your event is on a Sunday or you have a long drive, ask for the reheatable tray to maintain the best texture.