With McCrispy, Double Down, and Ch’King, Americans devour over 3.5 billion chicken sandwiches annually. But which fast-food chicken sandwich is truly worth your hard-earned cash? Reddit users have some spicy opinions to share about the current chicken sandwich landscape.
These sandwiches, adorned with soft toasted buns, zesty pickles, and creamy mayo, have been gaining popularity since the iconic Chick-fil-A founder introduced them in 1946 at The Dwarf Grill. However, we’ve discovered some unexpected opinions about which fast-food chains are truly nailing the chicken sandwich game.
From Shake Shack to Wendy’s, Popeye’s, and Chick-fil-A, we’ve scoured the internet for the best — and worst — takes on every available chicken sandwich. We’re ranking these fast-food chicken sandwiches from those you should skip to the juicy hits.
14. McDonald’s: The giant known for burgers, fries, and breakfast, with a widespread presence and varied menu.
While some might say McDonald’s style is popular, the McChicken and its variations, including the McCrispy and Deluxe options, have their share of critics on Reddit.
One dissatisfied customer commented, “It tasted like cleaning chemicals,” revealing how they felt about the overall quality. Another said the Spicy McCrispy was merely a basic chicken filet with some “spicy” sauce.
Another user lamented, “It was a chicken brick with too much shredded lettuce that spilled everywhere.” Despite being one of the cheapest options, the overall sentiment drives many looking for a quality chicken sandwich to prioritize other restaurants.
Hardee’s: A fast-food chain recognized for its burgers, fries, and breakfast choices, offering quick service.
Landing at 13th place, Hardee’s hasn’t garnered much attention, which somehow benefits its Hand-Breaded Chicken Sandwich. While the crispy buttermilk chicken, pickles, and mayo are decent, it’s mostly unremarkable. One Redditor stated, “Hardee’s chicken strips are good, but the sandwich is disappointing.”
Many fans recall better versions from the past, mentioning the chicken’s odd texture and lack of flavor, giving it a 1 out of 5 star rating. It appears the chain doesn’t quite maintain the glory it once had.
Raising Cane’s: Famous for its chicken fingers, fresh fries, and signature dipping sauce, delivering a unique dining experience.
Raising Cane’s built its reputation in the ’90s with its hand-battered chicken fingers, but not everyone appreciates the chicken sandwich featuring those tenders.
While the sandwich includes three crunchy chicken fingers with lettuce and Cane’s Sauce on a sesame bun, opinions can be harsh. One Reddit user expressed that Cane’s is “pretty f***ing bad,” and noted concerns about portion sizes and quality.
Others pointed out that their popularity relies on Cane’s Sauce rather than the chicken itself, mentioning that many see the chicken merely as a vessel for the sauce, with complaints about both prices and portion size.
Burger King: A global fast-food chain recognized for its flame-grilled burgers and signature Whopper, serving delectable meals.
Since 1979, Burger King has kept its Original Chicken sandwich that features the standard savory chicken, but apparently, it no longer satisfies current tastes.
Reddit users described stale-tasting chicken with wilted lettuce, leading one commenter to wish for a nostalgic Tendercrisp sandwich. Another lamented that their frustratingly salty experience made the sandwich unenjoyable, even with condiments.
The combination of flavorless chicken and droopy lettuce resulted in a poor meal overall, leading many to opt for fries instead, which offered little satisfaction either.
Wendy’s: Known for its fresh, tasty burgers, crispy fries, and an array of fast-casual options.
Wendy’s offers seven chicken sandwich variations, but many are facing harsh criticisms. A Reddit subreddit titled “The chicken sandwiches are pure trash” highlights complaints about tough chicken and subpar quality.
While some claim Wendy’s burgers and fries are excellent, the chicken sandwiches have been called inedible and disappointing. A previous devotee complained about the rubbery texture affecting the overall experience.
Jack In The Box: A prominent fast-food chain known for its diverse menu and round-the-clock drive-thru service.
Jack In The Box deserves a slightly better ranking, but even its Cluck Sandwich faced disappointment. Though praised for late-night offerings, even the Good Good Sauce cannot rescue this sandwich.
One Redditor expressed their lack of expectations but still ended up let down by the sandwich’s taste and quality. Others criticized its higher price compared to competitors, remarking on the dry flavor and lack of adequate sauce.
The perception that Jack In The Box’s marketing doesn’t match the reality of their food quality can also take a toll on its reputation.
Dave’s Hot Chicken: Serving spicy tenders and sliders in a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for your cravings.
At Dave’s Hot Chicken, their most intense offering is the chicken tender slider designed to bring the heat (it’s so hot you might need to sign a waiver!). However, even fans find inconsistencies in the spice levels.
Despite its intense heat potentially overpowering other ingredients, reports of inconsistent heat levels from the same location have led to the phrase “Reaper Roulette.” One diner noted, “It’s either enjoyable or painfully overwhelming.” While some find its heat manageable, others think it might be too spicy for a typical meal.
Bojangles: A widely recognized fast-food chain famous for its southern fried chicken and biscuits, offering unique meals.
Founded in 1977, Bojangles has developed a fanbase with its Cajun chicken and biscuits. However, while some adore the Bo’s Chicken Sandwich, reviews are mixed.
One customer remembered it as “meh,” citing dry chicken and overpowering spice. Others criticized the mayo and pickles for lacking impact. While it faces comparisons with Chick-fil-A, some provided a more neutral view, appreciating its value in the chicken sandwich scene.
Zaxby’s: A fast-food favorite known for its tasty chicken dishes and unique sauces.
Zaxby’s stands in sixth place with a blend of feedback on its Spicy Signature Sandwich, featuring breaded chicken filet, Spicy Zax Sauce, pickles, and served on a potato bun.
While some rave about the Spicy Zax Sauce, others find the chicken mediocre, with one Redditor claiming it tasted like a frozen chicken breast. Nonetheless, there are fans who appreciate the combination of flavors and the moist, crispy chicken.
Culver’s: Offering fresh burgers, custard, and cheese curds, creating a fulfilling dining experience.
With locations in 26 states, Culver’s Spicy Crispy Chicken sandwich is loaded with lettuce, tomato, and pickles on a Kaiser bun. One super fan declared it the “Best spicy chicken sandwich I’ve ever had.”
Its unique breading—seasoned with onions, garlic, cayenne, and a four-pepper spice blend—has earned it recognition. Originally a limited-time item in 2018, it became a regular due to its positive reception.
Culver’s commitment to sourcing chicken from local farms adds to its appeal, providing satisfying chicken sandwiches that satisfy without the need for mayo.
4. Shake Shack: A beloved fast-casual chain offering a modern take on American comfort food.
Shake Shack prides itself on meticulous preparation, evident in its Chicken Shack sandwich. Loved by many, it is said to be Ina Garten’s go-to choice.
Available all week long, it’s touted as a rival to Chick-fil-A, featuring tender chicken breast on a soft potato bun with pickles, lettuce, and buttermilk herb mayonnaise. Fans rave about it, with several claiming it stands out as one of the best available.
KFC: Famous for its secret seasoning and crispy fried chicken, serving a variety of delicious meals.
While the KFC Double Down has garnered a reputation, we’re focusing on the classic KFC Spicy Chicken sandwich. Known for its double-breaded, extra-crispy white meat, crunchy pickles, and creamy sauces, it delivers a winning experience.
Many Reddit users praise the consistency across locations, expressing nostalgia for childhood meals from KFC. The attention to detail ensures this sandwich remains a crowd favorite.
Popeyes: Renowned for unique seasoning and crispy texture, its fried chicken has a global following.
Popeyes stays close to the top of our ranking, keeping fans engaged with ongoing promotions and a catchy presence on social media. However, opinions on their chicken sandwiches are diverse.
Discussions around the Spicy and Classic Chicken sandwiches reveal a mix of admiration and criticism. Fans appreciate the flaky, crispy chicken, while detractors argue that the sandwiches could be improved.
Since the launch of the Popeyes chicken sandwich in 2019, the excitement surrounding this item persists, with many fans eager to declare it their favorite.
Chick-fil-A: The chain famous for its delightful chicken sandwiches and outstanding service.
Chick-fil-A reigns supreme with its iconic sandwiches. “It’s not even close,” one Reddit user stated regarding its dominance.
The Spicy Chicken and standard Chick-fil-A sandwiches receive celebrated attention, featuring a butter-toasted bun, pickles, and freshly-breaded chicken. Fans are often nostalgic, sharing memories tied to the brand.
Even those with differing views on the company’s ethics acknowledge the quality of the food and the dedication to customer service, emphasizing its continued popularity and status.
Here’s how we evaluated and ranked these fast food chicken sandwiches.
To gain authentic insights from the internet, we delved deep into Reddit. Through interactions among devoted fans and staff discussing everything from the absurdity of chicken sandwiches with lettuce to flavors and cooking methods, we unearthed valuable opinions.
The reviews and feedback we encountered formed the basis for this ranking, reminding us that no fast-food order is complete without a side of a creamy milkshake.