Ranking Fast Food Chicken Sandwiches: From Worst to Best

With favorites like McCrispy, Double Down, and Ch’King, Americans indulge in over 3.5 billion chicken sandwiches annually. But which fast food chicken options are truly worth it? Enter Reddit users, armed with hot takes on the chicken sandwich landscape. Spoiler: it’s getting spicy.

The fast food chicken sandwich, a beloved classic featuring soft, toasted buns, tangy pickles, and creamy mayo, has been stealing the spotlight from beef patties since the early days of Chick-fil-A in 1946. Contrary to expectations, we’ve discovered surprising insights on which outlets are nailing the chicken sandwich game.

From Shake Shack to Wendy’s, Popeyes, and Chick-fil-A, we combed through online commentary to gather compelling arguments for — and against — each popular chicken sandwich on the market. (More details on our methodology below.) By putting crowd favorites against the lineup of disappointing options, we’re presenting a ranking of fast food chicken sandwiches from those to skip to those that are must-tries.

Stop blaming the player, and perhaps avoid the drive-thru instead. Witness the internet’s least favorite option: McDonald’s McChicken … alongside the McCrispy, Deluxe McCrispy, Spicy McCrispy, and Spicy Deluxe McCrispy. All of McDonald’s chicken sandwiches faced a firing squad on Reddit.

“Absolutely horrendous. Tasted like it was infused with cleaning chemicals. Shockingly terrible,” lamented one unhappy patron. The classic McChicken was described as a disappointing assortment of chicken, shredded lettuce, and mayo on a sad bun, and the lackluster reviews continued for the rest. One user indicated about the Spicy McCrispy, “Arguably the [worst] chicken sandwich I’ve ever encountered. It’s just a standard chicken filet slathered in ‘spicy’ sauce.”

“It was reminiscent of a chicken brick, seemingly topped with a few drops of sauce and a mountain of shredded lettuce that tumbled down upon my lap as soon as I opened the packaging,” recalled another critic. McDonald’s seems to rely on its pricing as the only redeeming quality. As warned by a Redditor, “Anyone with a palate and taste buds will rank McDonald’s last for a crispy chicken sandwich.”

Narrowly missing the bottom of this list, Hardee’s occupies the 13th position due to its lesser-known reputation compared to McDonald’s. Staying under the radar appears beneficial for Hardee’s Hand-Breaded Chicken Sandwich, which lacks any standout features aside from its crispy, buttermilk fried chicken, pickles, and mayo placed on a potato bun. One Redditor noted, “Hardee’s chicken strips are decent but the sandwich is underwhelming.”

While some long-time fans recount better versions of the sandwich from years past, today’s experience comes off as lackluster. “The chicken’s texture was off; I couldn’t shake the feeling it was raw,” one diner recalled, adding, “There was no flavor to the chicken and breading. An excessive amount of mayonnaise combined with chicken far too small for the bun merits a 1 out of 5 stars.” It seems the chain is merely a shadow of its former glory.

Famous for its marinated, hand-battered chicken since the ’90s, the chicken finger chain Raising Cane’s is not universally loved, particularly when it comes to the sandwich made with its renowned tenders.

This sandwich features three crispy chicken fingers, lettuce, and Cane’s Sauce on a lightly toasted sesame seed bun, seemingly a winning combination. Yet, it has garnered mixed reactions online. “Raising Cane’s is pretty terrible. It might not be the absolute worst, but for a chicken-exclusive chain, it’s disappointing,” commented one Reddit user. Another cited small portions and questionable quality.

Many attribute the chain’s popularity to its Cane’s Sauce, with one user saying, “Pretty much everyone I know views the chicken as merely a vehicle for the sauce.” Complaints about rising prices and diminishing portion sizes surfaced too, with one diner labeling Raising Cane’s overrated.

Since 1979, Burger King has maintained a classic approach with its Original Chicken sandwich. However, it appears that the OG breaded chicken with lettuce and creamy mayo on a toasted sesame bun isn’t sufficient to distinguish itself in the competitive chicken sandwich market.

Hoping to emerge unscathed, a fortunate Reddit survivor described it as “Chicken tasted stale and somewhat sour. The lettuce was nearly wilted and I had to pray I wouldn’t end up with something unpleasant.” While others reminisced about the dearly departed Burger King Tendercrisp sandwich, a different patron shared their thoughts on the OG, noting, “It was so SALTY that I didn’t even attempt to add barbecue sauce, which made the whole experience more disappointing.”

With the lettuce apparently taking down the ship, the only condiment disappointing diners as well. One post elaborated, “It was as if someone dumped an entire jar of mayo on it, combined with wilted lettuce and tasteless, thin chicken. I tossed it out and just munched on some fries, which were also subpar.”

If a flicker of hope for chicken sandwiches arises, it might lead you past a Wendy’s. As of summer 2024, the chain boasts seven variations of chicken sandwiches, all of which are under scrutiny (or foil wraps). A subreddit titled “The chicken sandwiches are pure trash” captures the sentiment.

Complaining about the tough, whitish chicken, the original poster lamented that the chicken sandwich was exceedingly hard. Other users agreed, stating, “Wendy’s burgers and fries are solid, but everything else is inedible,” noted one beef burger aficionado.

Accompanied by numerous rants regarding the declining quality of chicken through the years, a former follower shared, “Now it is invariably soggy and feels like rubber upon biting. It’s now a hard pass; utterly disappointing.”

For a marginally superior offering than its predecessors, Jack In The Box sneaks into our ranking. Although some underrated opinions online praise the late-night chicken offerings, even Jack’s Good Good Sauce cannot salvage its Cluck Sandwich.

“I had no expectations going in, and I was still let down,” remarked a Redditor about the crispy white meat filet topped with pickles and sauce on a toasted brioche bun. Others claimed it wasn’t worth the higher price relative to other chains, adding, “It was tiny compared to Popeyes or Chick-fil-A … Besides that, the chicken lacked flavor and was rather dry. The sauce was terrible.” (That hardly sounds Good Good.)

One post featuring a Cluck Sandwich with a minuscule squirt of sauce emphasized a primary issue with the chain, suggesting, “Jack in the Box is notorious for having excellent marketing showcasing delicious food that never lives up to the actual product.”

We can’t discuss a hot chicken spot without addressing its hot chicken sandwich. At Dave’s Hot Chicken, the main attraction is the chicken tender slider cranked up to maximum Reaper heat. (It’s so fiery that guests might need to sign a waiver, dependent on the location.) However, some claim it lacks sufficient heat despite its fiery reputation.

Overpowering the accompanying kale slaw, pickles, Dave’s sauce, and bun, the Reaper slider has bested many brave spicy food enthusiasts. Yet, others have faced disappointment at the same establishment. Labeling it “Reaper Roulette,” one Redditor stated, “You’re either underwhelmed, or you’re sleepless for the next six hours, feeling like a ball of lava is rolling through your belly.”

For the average eater, the Reaper is overwhelmingly spicy. As one patron shared, “I’d categorize it as being just beyond enjoyable due to the intense heat. A touch less heat would make it a perfect meal.”

Founded in 1977, Carolina-based Bojangles continues to serve Cajun chicken, Southern biscuits, and tea across its growing number of locations. However, while some adore the Bo’s Chicken Sandwich introduced in 2021, others remain indifferent.

One Redditor remarked, “It was simply ‘meh.’ The chicken was dry, and the spice dominated other flavors.” Another user noted, “The mayo and pickles contributed little. The pickles were, in fact, too mushy.”

Some argue it fails to measure up to Chick-fil-A’s offering. Still, one customer offered a different perspective, stating, “It’s pretty decent but doesn’t really innovate the chicken sandwich game.” If you have a Bojangles nearby (ideally one of the “better Bojangles”), this chicken sandwich may be worthy of a taste.

Zaxby’s holds a respectable sixth place, bolstered by mixed reviews. Established in 1990, the chain serves a breaded chicken filet on its Spicy Signature Sandwich — enhanced with Spicy Zax Sauce, which seems to be its key asset.

Zaxby’s serves its creation on a traditional potato bun, adorned with pickle chips and its proprietary Spicy Zax Sauce, a heat-infused, mayo-based fry complement. Achieving just below a perfect score, one Redditor shared, “The spicy Zax sauce distinctive to this beauty is phenomenal. The pickles and bun are nearly as commendable as Popeyes, and the chicken was moist, juicy, and extraordinarily crispy … I loved it.” Another participant added, “I genuinely enjoy Zaxby’s spicy signature sandwich.”

However, that optimism dissipated quickly. One user criticized Zaxby’s as tasteless and unremarkable. On another thread, someone claimed, “Zaxby’s tastes like a frozen chicken breast, lacking crunch and flavor.” It was a blow for a chain that prides itself on its chicken. Nonetheless, someone did take the time to say, “I do enjoy the spicy Zax sauce, however.”

With locations sprinkled across 26 states in the Central and Southeastern United States, fans may need to plan an excursion for this beloved option. Culver’s Spicy Crispy Chicken sandwich comes generously garnished with lettuce, tomato, and pickles on a toasted Kaiser bun. “This is the best spicy chicken sandwich I’ve ever tasted,” enthused one enthusiastic Redditor.

Featuring a crunchy Southern-style breading infused with onions, garlic, and a hint of cayenne, plus a four-pepper spice medley for the right amount of heat, it made its limited edition debut in 2018. Many customers joked, “Is this for real only ‘for a limited time’? I’m not sure how I’d cope without it.” Thanks to a stellar initial reception, the Spicy Crispy Chicken became a staple on the menu.

Culver’s sources chicken from local farms, where chickens are raised humanely on a vegetarian diet, devoid of hormones or antibiotics. This might contribute to the deliciousness of this chicken sandwich, effortlessly tasty without adding a hint of mayo. Though, customers can also pair it with Culver’s signature sauce that perfectly complements the chicken.

From the chain that analyzes every menu item, down to its nostalgic (never fresh, always frozen) crinkle-cut fries — it’s reasonable to expect similar diligence in its chicken sandwich selection. Introducing the Chicken Shack. (It’s delicious enough to be Ina Garten’s go-to when she opts not to cook.)

The chain proudly underscores that its chicken sandwich is accessible every day of the week — a friendly jab at Chick-fil-A, which is notoriously closed on Sundays. Featuring a tender, white meat chicken breast served on a springy potato bun with pickles, lettuce, and buttermilk herb mayonnaise, one Reddit fan raved, “Chicken Shack is fantastic.”

Another diner recommended trying the bacon cheese fries if you’re particularly hungry. Yet another chimed in, “Chick’n Shack is among the best things I’ve ever eaten.” The gauntlet was thrown with a bold assertion that, “The Chicken Shack likely dominates the chicken sandwich landscape.”

We cannot overlook the controversial double-layer, bun-less KFC Double Down. Hence, in this ranking, we will focus exclusively on KFC’s standard menu for the finger-lickin’ third-best fast food chicken sandwich available.

Known to Canadians as the KFC Spicy Famous Chicken chicken sandwich, diners in the United States refer to it simply as the KFC Spicy Chicken sandwich. Both spicy and classic variants receive high praise, with patrons relishing the double-breaded, extra crispy, white-meat chicken, crunchy pickles, spicy sauce, or Colonel’s mayo all enveloped in a toasted brioche bun. A Redditor shared, “I tried the KFC Spicy Famous Chicken Chicken Sandwich for the first time, and now I’ve had three in four days. This sandwich is unbelievably good!”

The reliable quality maintaining across various locations seems key to KFC’s chicken sandwich staying in the leading pack. Another user noted, “KFC consistently excels from one restaurant to another.” Meanwhile, one individual reminisced warmly, “My heart will always belong to KFC. It was a treasured treat from my childhood. Typically, it signaled that mom and dad were going to enjoy a night out, and we’d get a babysitter!”

Only slightly behind in the rankings by the width of a Cajun French fry, Popeyes trails closely to our #1 choice, thanks to harnessing TikTok trends like “girl dinner” and featuring limited-time delights like wings now on the permanent menu. However, when it involves their chicken sandwiches, people definitely have some strong feelings.

A subreddit titled “Popeyes has the worst chicken sandwich” found itself buzzing with fans defending the Spicy Chicken and Classic Chicken sandwiches. Both options showcase Popeyes hand-battered and buttermilk crispy-fried chicken breast, served on a toasted brioche bun with pickles and mayo, while the spicy version comes with an extra kick of seasoned mayo. “I absolutely LOVE Popeyes chicken sandwich, and it’s my number one! I’m a fan of the spicy with pickles!” stated one delighted customer. Another compared it against McDonald’s chicken sandwich, pointing out, “Popeyes’ chicken patty is crispy, four times larger, and usually fresh—not to mention that spicy mayo is made fresh in-house.”

While it may not claim the title of the most popular sandwich yet, ever since the debut of Popeyes chicken sandwich in 2019, which sold out in mere days, fans continue to fan the flames as this chain aims for the championship belt.

You don’t challenge the best! Chick-fil-A’s chicken sandwiches, revered for their fanatical following, overshadow all other competitors. “Chick-fil-A! The gap is enormous,” asserted one Reddit admirer. This brand consistently stands tall in the market, even drawing comments from non-consumers naming it as their top choice.

Praise typically centers on the Spicy Chicken and “regular” Chick-fil-A chicken sandwiches. Encased in a buttery toasted bun, with dill pickles and a succulent, freshly breaded chicken breast, it’s hard to knock this chain out of the premier position. “My favorite is a spicy sandwich enhanced with extra pickles and cheese sauce,” shared one fan from the Northeast, and an employee added, “My go-to is the classic CFA sandwich, just with pickles & mayo—nothing else. It’s that delicious.”

Some enthusiasts traverse ideological divides regarding the brand’s well-documented mission. “I’m part of the LGBTQ community,” shared a Redditor who still appreciates the chicken. “I adore Chick-fil-A. I appreciate the app, the staff is consistently lovely … You folks are good in my eyes, and our personal or religious beliefs shouldn’t stand in the way of liking each other.” Should you have any leftovers, Chick-Fil-A offers a recipe to ensure that not a morsel gets wasted.

To gauge genuine insights from the online community, we ventured deep into the Reddit universe. (It was dark, filled with crumpled napkins.) Here, we encountered a plethora of purists, loyalists, and restaurant staff embroiled in debates over contentious topics like, “Why on earth would anyone choose a chicken sandwich topped with lettuce — as that’s practically a salad.” (The truth might remain elusive.)

Amid the rants lay valuable nuggets of wisdom that we discovered for this ranking. Those sincere reviews, observations, and insights are spotlighted here. Should this exploration have made you as hungry as we felt, nothing complements a fast food chicken sandwich better than a smooth, creamy milkshake on the side.