Remember the chicken sandwich war? Kicked off by Popeye’s, which added a chicken sandwich to its menu in 2019, more than 20 American fast-food brands (including McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Shake Shack) followed suit over the next two years. To no one’s surprise, people have a *feeling* about which of them comes out on top. As a regular drive-thru myself, I set out to find the best overall fast-food chicken sandwich by sampling 14 different sandwiches from 12 popular chains in and around Philadelphia. Read on for an honest breakdown, from worst to best.
(Note: In fairness, all sandwiches were crispy, not spicy. Prices may vary by location or region. Prices below are exclusive of tax.)
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Taryn Pire
While I appreciated the exceptionally flavorful mayo on the Original Chicken Sandwich, the chicken itself was a bit bland. The sandwich was very soft, not crispy, similar to the chicken patties I ate in my middle school cafeteria. That’s not to say it’s not tasty, though; it’s also quite heavy thanks to the bread. Pickles would go well with this, in my opinion.
I also tried the Crispy Chicken ($5.59), which comes with breaded chicken, lettuce, tomatoes and mayo on a sesame seed bun. This one had some kind of spice, which made the mayo taste like a tame ranch dressing. But the salad was sad and the chicken was bland (though crispy).
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Taryn Pire
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What’s on it: Mayonnaise, cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes
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Cost: $5.44
The Classic Mother Cruncher offers a pillowy soft bun and tender, juicy chicken that could be crispier. (This one also offers cafeteria chicken patties or frozen chicken nuggets.) The pickles were okay and the lettuce and tomato looked a bit bland. This one was by no means inedible—just a consistently bland one.
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Taryn Pire
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What’s on it: Salad, tomatoes, mayonnaise, cucumber
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Cost: 6,29 €
I’ve been ordering the spicy version for years, so I had high hopes for the Classic Chicken Sandwich. But unfortunately, the chicken was thin and under-seasoned. It wasn’t very juicy and didn’t seem fresh. The crunchy, sour pickles made up for it a little, but the spicy version is still number one for me. (And why not The do you get cucumbers?)
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Taryn Pire
It’s 2024, and Arby’s offers a lot more than roast beef and deli meats these days. As for the Crispy Chicken Sandwich, the chicken was large and very juicy. I found it similar to the McDonald’s Deluxe McCrispy (more on that later), but it was kind of bland. I wish the mayo was spicier for a more substantial bite.
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Taryn Pire
Between the standard McCrispy and the deluxe model, the latter had fresher, crispier, and higher-quality chicken. The mayo was delightfully tart, but I found the tomatoes a bit overdone. (Perhaps it was just the way my sandwich was constructed; it was messy and lopsided.) I also tried the regular McCrispy ($4.89), which came with just curled pickles. I give it points for its no-frills charm and soft bun, but the chicken was mushy.
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Taryn Pire
I never really understood the fuss about Chick-fil-A… and this sandwich didn’t change my mind. The OG Chicken Sandwich felt soggy on the outside and only had two pickle chips on top. Yes, the chicken was crispy, juicy, and big, but it could have been seasoned more generously. Despite its appetizing appearance, I found it disappointing. But that peach milkshake? Worth the treat.
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Taryn Pire
The sandwich was huge, but the chicken looked a bit pale and tasted old. Its size was a double-edged sword, as it was a poorly crafted hand-me-down and an unpleasant eating experience. (Plus, all the mayo was smeared in one spot and the pickles were on top of each other.) I did like the double-breaded crust of the chicken and the pleasantly sour pickle, though. I did think the breading and toppings would be better suited to a crispy fish sandwich, in case the Colonel is in the mood for something new.
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Taryn Pire
The Chicken Shack is the most expensive sandwich on my list, and it’s largely worth the price. Although it was relatively small compared to some of its competitors, the chicken was juicy and crispy, the pickles had an exceptionally tart flavor, and the ranch-like herb mayonnaise added a wonderful touch to each bite. I also really enjoyed the cloud-soft potato bun.
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Taryn Pire
Raising Cane’s iconic chicken fingers are hand-breaded to order, so the poultry is virtually guaranteed to be fresh and crispy. However, I found this sandwich (which contains three chicken fingers) harder to eat than single-piece or patty chicken sandwiches, and it could have been more robustly seasoned. The sweet, ketchup-like Cane’s sauce added a lot to the flavor, but I think pickles would have made it more balanced.
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Taryn Pire
Sonic never ceases to amaze me. (Seriously, the Groovy Fries, which came in second on my fast food fries list, are not to be missed.) The Crispy Chicken Sandwich came with a very wide piece of chicken that overflowed on all sides of the brioche bun. Despite its width, it wasn’t overly thick or juicy. I loved the very crispy breading; its flavor was slightly sweet and oniony.
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Taryn Pire
Yes, this Filipino chain is worth the hype. The Original Chicken Sandwich was incredibly juicy, fresh and generously seasoned. Paired with nothing but spicy umami mayonnaise, the chicken’s strong black pepper-flavored breading was evident in every bite. The fries, on the other hand, were not tasty at all. (If you want a side, adobo rice is a better choice.)
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Taryn Pire
Popeye’s started the chicken sandwich wars, and from where I’m standing, everyone tries—and fails—to dethrone it. Although I prefer the spicy version, the Classic Chicken Sandwich had the same buttery bun, flawless pickle chips (which are admittedly a bit thick), and juicy, incredibly crispy breaded-to-order chicken. The batter was heavily seasoned, but this sandwich was arguably greasier than some of the frozen options on this list, so if that turns you off, it might not be your favorite.
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