Which Fast Food Chain has the Best Chicken Sandwich? The Winner Is...

Popeye’s was the inventor of fast food chicken, so it’s only right that they claim the top spot with their Chicken Sandwich. I have not had a sandwich that was crispier than this tender, all-white meat chicken breast fillet. First the meat is marinated in an authentic blend of Louisiana seasonings, then hand battered and breaded in buttermilk coating. While this would still win as a standalone because it’s just that good, it only gets even better with crisp barrel cured pickles, classic or spicy mayonnaise on a toasted buttery brioche bun. I know, our mouths are watering too…

With a tagline "Eat Mor Chikin’," their chicken better be out of this world and lucky for them—it is. It’s all in the details with their Spicy Chicken Sandwich and even some of the smallest ingredients can make a big impact. Not only is the chicken seasoned with a spicy blend of peppers and is hand-breaded, but it’s also pressure cooked in 100% refined peanut oil. With dill pickles and a toasted, buttered bun with a deluxe option, the cherry on top to this near perfect sandwich is which iconic Chick-Fil-A sauce you’ll use. If spicy is too hot for you, their Original Chicken Sandwich is on point too.

I honestly was surprised to rank McDonald’s this high on the list, because I think of the fast food giant for their burgers and fries over their chicken. But to my pleasant surprise, their Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Sandwich will become my new go-to menu item. What wins here is just how crispy it is. It’s elevated on an artisan roll, topped with green leaf lettuce and a tomato slice with mayonnaise.

Yes, this is in fact the same caliber of a pub sandwich that you’ll find at a local pub in Dublin, Ireland. This “Fresh, Never Frozen” chain recently released their Pretzel Bacon Pub Chicken Sandwich and I hope they never remove it from the menu. Not only is the chicken crispy and juicy, but the unique condiments such as warm beer cheese sauce, applewood smoked bacon, smoky honey mustard and crispy fried onions just make it one-of-a-kind. And the best part? A pretzel bun, literally my dreams in the form of a sandwich.

While Shake Shack’s burgers are hard to beat, their latest Hot Chick’n Sandwich comes pretty close. It’s an original sandwich that you won’t be able to find anywhere else—their own cooling cherry pepper slaw dusted with guajillo and cayenne pepper blend that took them months to perfect. It’s beyond juicy and for those who like it hot, you can order it “Hot” or “Extra Hot.” The chicken is made fresh and is slow-cooked sous vide in a buttermilk marinade (a fine dining technique that prevents overcooking).

If you’re not feeling fried, Chick-Fil-A's Grilled Chicken Sandwich is the best alternative in the game. From it’s smoky taste, to juicy grilled lemon-herb boneless chicken breast, this healthier option doesn’t sacrifice taste. While most fast food grilled chicken can be left dry and overcooked, this sandwich defies the odds.

While I hoped to enjoy KFC’s Crispy Colonel Sandwich, I can’t say that I did. While it promises crisp, it was more chewy than crispy. Compared to other restaurants’ sandwiches, I was surprised at how small this sandwich actually is. The bun wasn’t anything special and seemed like a missed opportunity to compliment the meat.

The general consensus is in—with “Burger” in their name, I’d recommend Burger King to stick to burgers. It was alright, aside from the stale potato bun. The chicken itself was a bit dry and wasn’t as thick as I’d thought it would be. Overall, this defines average and you should probably spend your money on one of their signature sandwiches like the Whopper instead.

Arby’s describes this Classic Crispy Chicken Sandwich as “nothing fancy. Just real good taste.” While I agree it is nothing fancy, I beg to differ about the good taste. The dealbreaker for me is that the sandwich tasted reheated and was not juicy. Without that, Arby’s nailed it in their promotional messaging—it’s nothing fancy.