The 12 Best Fast Food Chicken Sandwiches, Ranked by a Food Editor

Remember the chicken sandwich wars ? Kicked off by Popeye’s adding a fried 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 *feelings* about which one reigns supreme. Being a drive-thru regular myself, I set out to find the best fast food chicken sandwich overall by tasting 14 different handhelds from 12 popular chains in and around Philadelphia. Read on for an honest breakdown, ranked from worst to best.

(Note: For testing fairness, all sandwiches were crispy and non-spicy. Prices may vary based on location or region. The prices below do not include tax.)

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12. Burger King (Original Chicken Sandwich)

Taryn Pire

• What’s on It: shredded lettuce, mayo
• Cost: $5.19

While I appreciated the exceptionally tangy mayo on the Original Chicken Sandwich, the chicken itself was a bit bland. The sandwich was very soft rather than crispy, sort of like the chicken patties I remember having in my middle school cafeteria. But that’s not to say it’s not enjoyable; it’s also pretty hefty, thanks to the bread. Pickles would go great here, IMO.

I also tried the Crispy Chicken ($5.59), which comes with breaded chicken, lettuce, tomato and mayo on a sesame seed bun. This one was sort of herby, making the mayo taste like a tame ranch dressing . But the lettuce was sad, and the chicken was bland (albeit crispy).

11. Checkers/Rally’s

Taryn Pire

• What’s on It: mayo, pickles, lettuce, tomato
• Cost: $5.44

The Classic Mother Cruncher boasts a pillowy soft bun and tender, juicy chicken that could be crunchier. (This one also gives cafeteria chicken patty or frozen chicken nugget .) The pickles were meh and the lettuce and tomato looked a bit pallid. This one wasn’t inedible by any means—just one-note across the board.

10. Wendy’s

Taryn Pire

• What’s on It: lettuce, tomato, mayo, pickles
• Cost: $6.29

I’ve been ordering the spicy iteration 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 redeemed it a bit, but the spicy one still reigns supreme in my book. (Also, why doesn’t that one get pickles?)

9. Arby’s

Taryn Pire

• What’s on It: lettuce, tomato, mayo
• Cost: $5.99

It’s 2024, and Arby’s does much more than roast beef and deli meat nowadays. As for the Crispy Chicken Sandwich, the chicken was sizeable and very juicy. I found it to be similar to the McDonald’s Deluxe McCrispy (more on that later), but it was kind of bland. I wish the mayo was tangier for a punchier bite.

8. McDonald’s (Deluxe McCrispy)

Taryn Pire

• What’s on It: lettuce, tomato, mayo
• Cost: $6.10

Between the standard McCrispy and the Deluxe, the latter came with fresher, crispier, better-quality chicken. The mayo was delightfully tart, but I thought the tomatoes were kind of overkill. (Maybe it’s just how my sandwich was constructed; it was messy and lopsided.) I also tasted the regular McCrispy ($4.89), which came with nothing but crinkle-cut pickles. I’ll give it points for its no-frills charm and soft bun, but the chicken was soggy.

7. Chick-fil-A

Taryn Pire

• What’s on It: dill pickle chips
• Cost: $5.19

I’ve never really understood the fuss about Chick-fil-A …and this sammy didn’t change my mind. The O.G. Chicken Sandwich felt soggy on the outside and came with only two pickle chips on top. Yes, the chicken was crunchy, juicy and big, but it could’ve been more generously seasoned. Despite its appetizing appearance, I found it to be underwhelming. That peach milkshake though? Worth the buzz.

6. KFC

Taryn Pire

• What’s on It: mayo, pickles
• Cost: $5.59

The sandwich was massive, but the chicken looked a bit pale and tasted old to me. Its size was a double-edged sword, as it made for a poorly constructed handheld and an awkward eating experience. (Plus, all the mayo was slathered in one spot and the pickles were piled on top of each other.) However, I appreciated the double-breaded crust on the chicken and the pleasantly sour pickle. I felt the breading and toppings would be better suited for a crispy fish sandwich though, in case the Colonel feels like branching out.

5. Shake Shack

Taryn Pire

• What’s on It: lettuce, pickles, buttermilk herb mayo
• Cost: $8.49

The Chicken Shack is the most expensive sammy on my list, and it’s mostly worth the price. Although it was comparatively small versus some of its competitors, the chicken was juicy and crispy, the pickles were exceptionally acidic and the ranch-like herby mayo beautifully elevated each bite. I also loved the soft-as-clouds potato bun.

4. Raising Cane’s

Taryn Pire

• What’s on It: lettuce, Cane’s Sauce
• Cost: $8.18

Raising Cane’s cult-favorite chicken fingers are hand-battered to order, so the poultry is basically guaranteed to turn out fresh and crispy. That said, I found this sandwich (which includes three chicken fingers) to be harder to eat than sandwiches with a single piece or patty of chicken, and it could’ve been more robustly seasoned. The sweet, ketchup-y Cane’s Sauce pulled a lot of weight in the flavor department, but I feel sour pickles would’ve made it more balanced.

3. Sonic

Taryn Pire

• What’s on It: pickles, lettuce, mayo
• Cost: $5.89

Sonic continues to surprise me. (Seriously—the Groovy Fries, which placed second in my ranking of fast food fries , 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 excessively thick or juicy. I loved the very crispy breading; its flavor was slightly sweet and oniony.

2. Jollibee

Taryn Pire

• What’s on It: umami mayo
• Cost: $5.99

Yup, this Filipino chain is worth the hype. The Original Chicken Sandwich was beyond juicy, fresh and generously seasoned. Paired with nothing but flavorful umami mayo, the chicken’s black pepper-heavy breading shone through every bite. On the other hand, I didn’t enjoy the fries at all. (Adobo rice is a better move if you want a side.)

1. Popeye’s

Taryn Pire

• What’s on It: pickles, mayo
• Cost: $5.49

Popeye’s started the chicken sandwich wars, and from where I’m sitting, everyone is trying—and failing—to dethrone it. While I’m partial to the spicy variety, the Classic Chicken Sandwich had the same buttery bun, flawlessly sour pickle chips (which are, admittedly, a smidge thick) and juicy, impossibly crunchy, battered-to-order chicken. The batter was robustly seasoned, but this sammy was arguably greasier than some of the from-frozen ones on this list, so it may not be your preference if that’s a turn-off for you.

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