In one embodiment, secure service chaining can be implemented efficiently for content delivery systems. An orchestrator can determine a service chain for processing a request from a client for content. The orchestrator can determine a capability identifying nodes of the service chain. The orchestrator can then transmit, to the client, a redirect message having the capability, wherein the redirect message redirects the request to a first node of the service chain. The nodes of the service chain can verify the capability and carry out the service chain. Service functions can be applied to the traffic flow associated with delivering the content to the user.