You pull up to the drive-thru speaker, ready to order your go-to fast food chicken sandwich. But with so many options these days, how do you know you’re really getting the best one? It’s a tough call with delicious crispy chicken, pickles, and secret sauces everywhere you turn. Well, get your napkins ready, because we’re about to settle this debate once and for all. After extensive research (and more than a few extra calories), we’re ranking the top fast food chicken sandwiches out there. From new trendy options to old reliable classics, see how your favorite stacks up on our definitive fast food chicken sandwich taste test.
The Crispy, Juicy Fast Food Chicken Sandwich
Freshness First
When it comes to a chicken sandwich, freshness is key. There’s nothing worse than biting into a dry, rubbery piece of chicken that’s been sitting under a heat lamp for who knows how long. For the best sandwich, go to places that bread and fry the chicken fresh to order. The juicy, crispy chicken will be worth the few extra minutes of wait time.
Choose Your Bread Wisely
A tasty chicken sandwich deserves an equally tasty bun. Look for places that offer buns that are soft but sturdy enough to stand up to juicy chicken and your favorite toppings. Brioche buns, potato rolls, and buttery toasted buns are all great options. Steer clear of plain white buns – they tend to fall apart and don’t add much flavor.
Customize and Top It Off
A great chicken sandwich is all about the toppings. Load that baby up with cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, jalapeños, barbecue sauce – whatever your heart desires! The possibilities are endless. Some of our favorite combinations are:
- Bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and ranch dressing. Southern comfort on a bun!
- Grilled pineapple, Swiss cheese, sriracha aioli, and red onions. Sweet and spicy.
- Pickle chips, shredded cabbage, and honey mustard. Tangy, crunchy, and delicious.
When done right, a chicken sandwich can be a thing of beauty. Fresh, juicy chicken, tasty toppings, and a buttered, toasted bun – what more could you ask for? Indulge in one of these crispy, flavorful sandwiches and you’ll be in fast food heaven.
Our Methodology for Ranking the Top Chicken Sandwiches
We compiled data from industry reports, food blogs, customer reviews, and taste tests to determine the best fast food chicken sandwiches. Based on what really matters to customers, we evaluated each sandwich on three key criteria:
Taste and Freshness
A juicy, flavorful chicken filet and fresh toppings are non-negotiable. We gave higher scores to sandwiches with crispy chicken, balanced flavors, and the freshest ingredients.
Value
Fast food should be affordable, so we considered the amount of food for the money. Sandwiches that are a good deal for the portion size ranked higher.
Customizability
The best chicken sandwiches let you customize with extras like bacon, cheese, or spicy sauces. We ranked sandwiches higher if they offered more ways to make the sandwich your own.
By analyzing how each major fast food chicken sandwich measured up in these areas, we determined the very best options out there. Of course, taste is subjective, so we encourage you to try the top contenders yourself to pick your personal favorite. But based on our methodology, we’re confident we found the chicken sandwiches that truly rise above the rest.
So the next time you’ve got a fast food craving, head to [restaurant name] and order their [sandwich name]. Your stomach and your wallet will thank you. Let us know if you agree with our number one pick! We’re always hungry for your feedback.
#5 Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich – A Zesty Option
Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich kicks the flavor up a notch for those craving some heat. Wendy’s classic chicken sandwich gets a spicy makeover with a sriracha-infused mayonnaise and jalapeño peppers. The juicy chicken breast is coated in a lightly spiced breading and topped with crisp lettuce, tomatoes, and zesty sriracha mayo on a toasted bun.
Hot and Crispy Chicken
The chicken breast is coated in a breading blended with chili peppers and spices to give each bite a little kick of heat. Wendy’s fries the spicy chicken to perfection – hot, crispy, and bursting with flavor. The spicy coating complements the natural sweetness of the white meat chicken. Each component of the sandwich is fresh, so you get maximum crunch and zest with every bite.
Sriracha Mayonnaise – When Spicy Meets Creamy
The sriracha-infused mayonnaise provides a creamy counterpoint to the spicy chicken. Chili garlic sauce, like sriracha, is blended into the mayonnaise, adding a blend of heat, garlic, and chili flavors. The cool mayonnaise helps balance out the spiciness of the chicken, allowing the flavors to shine through.
Toppings for Extra Flavor and Freshness
Crisp lettuce, juicy tomato slices, and sliced jalapeño peppers finish the sandwich. The fresh toppings provide extra flavor, texture, and a little more heat. The jalapeños add another layer of spice, allowing you to customize the heat level.
Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich brings the flavor with its spicy and creamy components. If you like your chicken sandwiches bold and fiery, this zesty option should be at the top of your list. The combination of a spicy chicken breast, cool sriracha mayonnaise, and fresh toppings makes this a chicken sandwich that’s hot in all the right ways.
#1 Chick-Fil-A’s Original Chicken Sandwich – The OG
There’s a reason Chick-Fil-A’s original chicken sandwich has remained unchanged since it was introduced in 1964—it’s just that good. This juicy, lightly breaded chicken breast nestled between two buttered buns is the gold standard all other fast food chicken sandwiches aspire to be.
Flavorful chicken
Chick-Fil-A sources high-quality, whole chicken breasts and hand-batters and breads them in-house using a simple recipe of flour, eggs, and spices. The end result is an irresistibly crispy, crunchy coating encasing a thick cutlet of tender white meat chicken. Each bite yields a burst of rich, savory flavor that isn’t too salty or greasy.
Fresh, homemade taste
Unlike other chains that pre-make and freeze their patties, Chick-Fil-A’s chicken is always fresh, never frozen. Their kitchen staff hand-bread and fry each filet to order in 100% refined peanut oil, which has a high smoke point so it won’t impart a heavy, greasy flavor. The buns are also baked daily in each restaurant using simple, high-quality ingredients you can pronounce.
Toppings and extras
While the chicken is certainly the star, you can dress up your sandwich with lettuce, tomato, pickle, and the chain’s signature Chick-Fil-A sauce. Waffle fries, coleslaw, and a chocolate chip cookie complete the meal. On Sundays, get adventurous and try a spicy grilled chicken sandwich or a breakfast chicken biscuit.
Over 50 years later, Chick-Fil-A’s original chicken sandwich remains the one to beat. One bite and you’ll see why fans are so passionate and loyal to this Southern classic. For fast food chicken sandwich perfection, accept no imitations.
Fast Food Chicken Sandwich FAQs – Your Top Questions Answered
You probably have some burning questions about fast food chicken sandwiches. Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked ones.
How many calories are in a typical fast food chicken sandwich?
Most standard chicken sandwiches from major fast food chains contain between 350 to 750 calories, depending on size and toppings. Grilled chicken sandwiches are on the lower end of the spectrum, while crispy chicken sandwiches and chicken club sandwiches with bacon and cheese are higher in calories. If you’re watching your waistline, grilled chicken is your better bet.
Which fast food restaurant has the best chicken sandwich?
This is hotly debated and comes down to personal preference. Some of the frontrunners are:
- Chick-fil-A – Their classic and spicy chicken sandwiches are juicy and flavorful. Chick-fil-A is also known for top-notch customer service.
- Popeyes – Popeyes chicken sandwich is crispy, crunchy and kicks things up with spicy mayonnaise. It has been called a “game changer.”
- Wendy’s – Wendy’s makes a solid chicken sandwich with a crispy breaded chicken breast, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise on a bun. Simple but satisfying.
Are fast food chicken sandwiches healthy?
Generally, no. While grilled chicken sandwiches are a slightly healthier option, most fast food chicken sandwiches are high in calories, fat, and sodium. They are usually made with white flour buns, breaded and fried chicken, full-fat mayonnaise and cheese. However, in moderation, they are fine as an occasional treat. If health is a concern, choose grilled over fried, hold the mayonnaise and cheese, and skip any bacon or salty toppings.
Which fast food has the healthiest chicken sandwich?
The healthiest chicken sandwich is often considered to be Chick-fil-A’s Grilled Chicken Sandwich. It’s made with a boneless breast of chicken, seasoned to perfection, and served on a multigrain bun with green leaf lettuce and tomato, making it a nutritious and lower-calorie option compared to fried chicken sandwiches.
Which fast food chain sells the most chicken sandwiches?
While exact sales numbers can fluctuate, Chick-fil-A has been known to lead in the chicken sandwich sales department, largely due to their popularity and focus on chicken products. Their classic Chicken Sandwich is a fan favorite, contributing significantly to their sales dominance.
What chain is famous for their chicken sandwich?
Chick-fil-A is famously known for their chicken sandwich. They claim to have invented the chicken sandwich, and their classic Chicken Sandwich has become iconic, featuring a hand-breaded chicken fillet, pickles, and their signature sauce on a toasted butter bun.
Which fast food chain has the first chicken sandwich?
Chick-fil-A claims to have invented the first chicken sandwich. Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A, introduced the original chicken sandwich at his Dwarf Grill (later renamed the Dwarf House) in the early 1960s. This innovation led to the establishment of the Chick-fil-A chain, which has become synonymous with chicken sandwiches ever since.
In the end, the best fast food chicken sandwich comes down to your tastes and priorities. Whether you prefer juicy or crispy, spicy or plain, indulgent or slightly better for you, there’s an option for everyone. Enjoy!
Conclusion
So there you have it, the definitive ranking of the top fast food chicken sandwiches. From the classic Chick-fil-A to the spicy newcomer Popeyes, we’ve tasted and tested them all to bring you the final verdict. Now that you’re armed with this invaluable intel, you can stroll into any fast food joint with confidence, knowing exactly which cluck-tastic sammie to order. Will your personal pick make the list? Let us know! And stay tuned for more rankings of your other fast food faves. Your stomach and taste buds thank you in advance.