Not far off from a hamburger, chicken sandwiches are arguably just as popular and sought-out from fast food places as a classic burger. They have their own classic flavors that people love and it’s a great alternative if you want a hamburger experience but aren’t a fan of beef. They work well with plenty of different sides too.
Traditionally, the best fast food chicken sandwich would come simply with lettuce and mayonnaise, and sometimes that’s all you need to hit the spot. But, many have veered away from this basic classic and now, many other combinations exist. Different fast food joints have come up with their own iterations over the years, resulting in plenty of variety and a great selection at lots of places.
One popular variation is the spicy chicken sandwich which is great at satisfying the craving for heat that many have. If you can handle the more intense spice combinations and seasonings then you’re in for a treat as many have perfected the art of spicy breaded chicken filets.
Overall, the best fast food chicken sandwich is one where the chicken is cooked to perfection, seasoned well, and paired with the right condiments – whether traditional or not. The condiments are often the easy part as the chicken is what makes or breaks the sandwich. Any chicken that’s dry, overcooked, too chewy, or overwhelmed by the breading will only lead to disappointment.
Another reason some may prefer chicken sandwiches over beef burgers is the fact that in some ways, chicken is healthier. Not only is it a leaner meat but it contains less cholesterol and saturated fat than beef does. That’s not to say beef is particularly unhealthy but some still prefer chicken. For someone looking to lose weight and/or build muscle through a healthier diet and workout regime, a chicken sandwich could make for a good compromise or “cheat meal” once in a while, as opposed to beef.
The great thing about chicken too is that you can make it even healthier if you want. Many chicken sandwiches come with a breaded chicken filet by default but you can improve the nutrition of a sandwich by getting grilled chicken instead. Some places might do the substitution for you, but if you’re set on this all the time, some fast food places do have some grilled options right on the menu. Unfortunately, not all of them do.
Also, if you’re getting bored of burgers and chicken sandwiches, you could vary your eating habits up and try fish sandwiches or even a fast food salad.
Top Ten Best Fast Food Chicken Sandwiches
- Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich
- Chick-Fil-A Spicy Chicken Sandwich
- Chick-Fil-A Grilled Chicken Sandwich
- KFC Crispy Colonel Chicken Sandwich
- Arby’s Classic Crispy Chicken Sandwich
- Culver’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich
- McDonald’s McChicken
- Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich
- Carl’s Jr. Big Chicken Filet Sandwich
- White Castle Chicken Breast Slider
1. Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich
Popeye’s chicken expertise shines through with this delicious and perfectly crispy chicken sandwich. They use a juicy, tender all-white chicken breast filet that’s perfectly marinated in a blend of authentic Louisiana seasoning. It’s then hand-battered and hand-breaded in a new buttermilk coating.
The crunchy, golden-brown filet is then served with crispy pickle slices and your choice of regular or spicy mayo. It’s not designed to be a spicy sandwich by nature but the choice of spicy mayo will add the smallest little kick for those who like a taste of heat without going overboard. It’s then served up on a warm, toasted, and lightly buttered brioche bun.
2. Chick-Fil-A Spicy Chicken Sandwich
It should be a no-brainer that the chicken masters would have an amazing spicy chicken sandwich, and they sure do deliver. They use a piece of boneless chicken breast and season it to fiery perfection with an expert blend of peppers. The chicken is hand-breaded and served on a toasted, buttered bun and topped with dill pickle chips.
They also offer gluten-free and multigrain buns for those who want or need something different. The simplicity of this sandwich is what makes it such a standout – it’s just you and the spicy goodness of their top-notch breaded chicken with a little splash of butter and dill.
3. Chick-Fil-A Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Another classic from the chicken experts, this grilled chicken sandwich not only offers variety but it’s a solid choice if you want to stay on the healthier side. The chicken being grilled is healthier right off the bat and this one uses a multi-grain bun by default.
It comes with fresh green leaf lettuce and sliced tomato. They recommend a honey roasted BBQ sauce, though you can choose something else if you want. They grill the chicken just right to achieve that backyard, smokey taste that everyone loves. The simplicity combined with healthier choices makes this one a favorite among chicken-lovers.
4. KFC Crispy Colonel Sandwich
KFC is also home to many chicken classics throughout America, offering cheap, delicious, and iconic chicken buckets with all kinds of variety. It’s unsurprising, then, that their colonel crispy chicken sandwich is such a hit.
The breaded chicken is cooked in such a way that it’s extra crispy without losing its delicious taste and golden-brown finish. The chicken is cooked to perfection and the crunch is beyond satisfying. It comes on a plain, fresh bun with sauce and pickles. In addition to regular chicken, you can get three other flavors that include honey BBQ, buffalo, and Nashville hot.
5. Arby’s Classic Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Arby’s classic crispy chicken sandwich lives up to its name – it’s a simple classic, but it’s done right. Featuring a buttermilk breaded chicken filet, sliced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, mayo, and a fresh star cut bun, it hits the spot when you’ve got that chicken sandwich craving.
They even promote the sandwich in such a way – that it’s not fancy, but it tastes right. There’s indeed nothing fancy, here, but that’s the point. No bells and whistles, just the taste of a good old-fashioned chicken sandwich.
6. Culver’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Culver’s has really nailed it with their chicken sandwich, which is crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. It’s made with a whole white meat chicken breast, breaded with their very own southern-style breading, and perfectly seasoned with garlic, onion, and a pinch of cayenne.
The sandwich also contains crispy lettuce, pickle slices, and juicy tomato slices on a fresh, toasted kaiser bun. The lack of sauce is surprising, but the juicy tomato more than makes up for it. Customers report that you won’t even miss the sauce, that’s how delicious this sandwich is.
7. McDonald’s McChicken
Mcdonald’s has a simple, classic version of everything and the McChicken is no different. The sandwich features a perfectly crispy and delicious chicken filet that is wonderfully tender and juicy on the inside.
The chicken is nestled in a perfectly toasted bun and accompanied by the classic mayo and lettuce combination. They’ve got it down to a science, with the perfect amount of mayo every time and a fresh, crispy handful of shredded iceberg lettuce. It’s not fancy but it’s Mcdonald’s – you really can’t go wrong when it comes to their fast food.
8. Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Wendy’s has the perfect chicken sandwich for those who love a little heat. Their juicy chicken breast is breaded with their expertly hot blend of peppers and other spices to create a spicy kick that’s perfect for a heat lovers chicken sandwich.
It’s cooled down just a bit by some crisp, fresh lettuce, tomato slices, and mayo – a true classic chicken sandwich turned spicy without being overwhelming. While over-the-top, eye-watering, mouth-burning heat is appealing to some, Wendy’s finds the perfect balance to cater to all who want a nice kick to their lunch.
9. Carl’s Jr. Big Chicken Filet Sandwich
Carl’s Jr. has a nice selection of chicken sandwiches, ranging from the classic mayo/lettuce combination to options with grilled or charbroiled chicken, and some with bacon. The big chicken filet sandwich is a popular one because of its size.
It’s a great choice for the days you’re really hungry because the size of this breaded chicken filet is huge. Not only is it marketed this way but it’s confirmed by customers that it’s a really big piece of chicken. Once breaded, the chicken is dusted with a selection of Southern spices and topped with lettuce, tomato, and mayo, and served on a fresh, premium bun.
10. White Castle Chicken Breast Slider
White Castle loves their sliders, so it’s no surprise they’ve created a version with some yummy, crispy breaded chicken. Their chicken sliders certainly differ from a classic chicken sandwich though, featuring only a simple slice of cheese, either American, jalapeno, or smoked cheddar.
It’s a bare-bones chicken sandwich, though the flavor is still strong due to their expert cooking and seasoning of the chicken. It’s a great choice for anyone who loves the slider experience and they can be a great snack or turned into a perfect meal with a drink and some sides.
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