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

Remember the chicken sandwich wars? Sparked by Popeye’s addition of a fried chicken sandwich to its menu in 2019, over 20 American fast food brands (including McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Shake Shack) followed suit over the next two years. Unsurprisingly, people have *impressions* about which one reigns supreme. As a drive-thru regular myself, I set out to find the best fast food chicken sandwich by sampling 14 different sandwiches from 12 popular chains in and around Philadelphia. Read on for my honest analysis, ranked from worst to best.

(Note: For fairness, all sandwiches were crispy and not spicy. Prices may vary based on location or region. Prices below do not include taxes.)

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Taryn Pire

While I enjoyed the exceptionally tangy mayonnaise of the original chicken sandwich, the chicken itself was a bit bland. The sandwich was very soggy rather than crispy, much like the chicken patties I remember eating in my middle school cafeteria. But that doesn’t mean it’s not enjoyable; it’s also quite filling, thanks to the bread. Pickles would go very well here, in my opinion.

I also tried the Crispy Chicken ($5.59), which is breaded chicken, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise on a sesame seed bun. It was a bit grassy, ​​which made the mayonnaise taste like bland ranch dressing. But the lettuce was sad and the chicken was bland (although crispy).

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Taryn Pire

• What’s on it: mayonnaise, pickles, lettuce, tomato

• Cost: $5.44

The Classic Mother Cruncher features a soft, moist bun and tender, juicy chicken that could use more crunch. (This one also makes a cafeteria chicken pot pie or frozen chicken nugget.) The pickles were mediocre, and the lettuce and tomato looked a little pale. This one wasn’t inedible by any means, just a general note.

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Taryn Pire

• What’s on it: lettuce, tomato, mayo, pickles

• 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 underseasoned. It wasn’t very juicy and didn’t seem fresh. The crunchy, sour pickles redeemed it a bit, but the spicy sandwich still reigns supreme in my eyes. (Also, why not that do we have pickles?)

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Taryn Pire

It’s 2024, and Arby’s offers a lot more than just roast beef and cold cuts these days. As for the crispy chicken sandwich, the chicken was quite large and very juicy. I found it similar to McDonald’s McCrispy Deluxe (more on that later), but it was a bit bland. I wish the mayo was spicier for a more piquant bite.

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Taryn Pire

Between the standard McCrispy and the Deluxe, the latter came with fresher, crispier, and higher-quality chicken. The mayo was deliciously tangy, but I found the tomatoes to be a bit over the top. (Maybe it’s just the way my sandwich was constructed; it was messy and wobbly.) I also tried the regular McCrispy ($4.89), which came with only crinkle-cut pickles. I give it points for its no-frills charm and soft bun, but the chicken was soggy.

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Taryn Pire

I never really understood the Chick-fil-A hype…and this sandwich didn’t change my mind. The OG chicken sandwich was soggy on the outside and came with only two pickle chips. Yes, the chicken was crisp, juicy, and chunky, but it could have been more generously seasoned. Despite its appetizing appearance, I found it disappointing. And that peach milkshake? It was worth it.

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Taryn Pire

The sandwich was huge, but the chicken looked a little pale and tasted old. Its size was a double-edged sword, making for a poorly constructed, clunky sandwich. (Plus, all the mayonnaise was spread in one place, and the pickles were piled on top of each other.) Still, I enjoyed the double-crusted breading on the chicken and the pleasantly tart pickle. I thought the breading and toppings would be better suited to a crispy fish sandwich, though, in case the Colonel felt like branching out.

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Taryn Pire

The Chicken Shack is the most expensive sandwich on my list, and it’s well worth the price. While it’s relatively small compared to some of its competitors, the chicken was juicy and crispy, the pickles were exceptionally tart, and the herb-y ranch mayo beautifully enhanced each bite. I also loved the cloud-soft potato bun.

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Taryn Pire

Raising Cane’s cult-favorite chicken fingers are hand-breaded to order, so the chicken is virtually guaranteed to be fresh and crispy. That said, I found this sandwich (which includes three chicken fingers) to be tougher to eat than sandwiches with a single chicken piece or patty, and it could have been more vigorously seasoned. Cane’s sweet and ketchup-y sauce pulled a punch in the flavor department, but I think some sour pickles would have made it more balanced.

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Taryn Pire

Sonic continues to surprise me. (Seriously, the Groovy Fries, which ranked second in my ranking of fast food fries, are not to be missed.) The crispy chicken sandwich came with a very large piece of chicken that spilled out of all sides of the brioche bun. Despite its width, it wasn’t overly thick or juicy. I loved the extra-crisp breading; it had a slightly sweet and oniony flavor.

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Taryn Pire

Yes, this Filipino chain is worth a look. The original chicken sandwich was beyond juicy, fresh, and generously seasoned. Accompanied only by a savory umami mayo, the chicken’s black pepper-rich breading shone in every bite. On the other hand, I didn’t care for the fries at all. (Adobo rice is a better option if you want a side.)

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Taryn Pire

Popeye started the chicken sandwich wars, and from where I sit, everyone is trying—and failing—to dethrone him. While I have a soft spot for the spicy variety, the classic chicken sandwich had the same buttery bread, perfectly sour pickle chips (which are admittedly a little thick), and juicy, incredibly crunchy breaded-to-order chicken. The batter was solidly seasoned, but this sandwich was arguably greasier than some of the frozen sandwiches on this list, so it might not be your preference if that turns you off.

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