15 Of The Most Finger Lickin’ Fast Food Chicken Sandwiches

When it comes to popular fast food cuisine, fried chicken has to be right up there as one of the favorites of people all over the world!

There are all kinds of fried chicken dishes that you can try across various fast food restaurants, from chicken poppers to chicken fillets and beyond. 

One particularly well-known fried chicken dish is the classic chicken sandwich. It is such a renowned fried chicken dish that tons of different kinds of fast food restaurants have their own take on it. 

With this in mind, we are going to be looking at fifteen of the most delicious and popular fried chicken sandwiches to be found in the fast food industry. Let’s get started. 

1. Chick-fil-A: The Original Chicken Sandwich

Consists of a boneless chicken breast, two small pickles, and a buttered, multigrain, or toasted bun. 

As the name suggests, Chick-fil-A (see also ‘14 Fantastic Foods From Chick-Fil-A That Are Gluten-Free‘) is a restaurant that specializes in chicken, and it has done so for many years.

Their Original Chicken Sandwich is thought by many to be the definitive chicken sandwich across the fast food industry, featuring a chicken breast patty that manages to be crispy without veering on the side of too crunchy. 

This is a sandwich that is well known for its delicious seasoning, but also for its use of peanut oil when it comes to frying the chicken, which gives it an extra burst of flavor. 

You get a choice of a buttered bun, a multigrain bun, or a regular toasted bun with this chicken sandwich.

It is also served with two pickle chips that are pressed between the bottom bun and the chicken patty, offering some acidity to the burger that works well with the chicken. 

This is also a burger that is fewer calories than some of the other chicken sandwiches that we will be discussing on this list, containing around 440 calories. 

2. KFC: Original Chicken Sandwich

Consists of a brioche bun with fried chicken breast, mayonnaise, and pickles.

KFC is known for its fried chicken dishes and its chicken sandwich is no exception. The original KFC chicken sandwich got something of a revamp in early 2021, offering a bit more depth to the classical- yet pretty standard- sandwich. 

One of the best elements of the KFC classic chicken sandwich is its high level of crunchiness, making it a perfect choice for those who enjoy the bite of some fantastic crunch with their meal.

If you’re not the biggest fan of crunch, the KFC sandwich is probably not going to be at the top of your list, but there is still a lot to enjoy thanks to the plentiful flavors. 

There is a lot to love about the herbs and spices that go into the crunchy chicken exterior at KFC, as well as the moist and tender meat that is made all the more mouthwatering by the generous heaping of mayonnaise that their chicken sandwiches are known for. 

The KFC chicken sandwich is a good all-rounder when it comes to fast food chicken, so it’s definitely up there in terms of the best in the fast-food world. 

3. Wendy’s: Classic Chicken Sandwich

Consists of a toasted bun, fried chicken breast, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles. 

The Wendy’s chicken sandwich is pretty basic, but sometimes that is all you really need when it comes to a fast food chicken sandwich 

The bun itself is pretty light, which helps to keep the calories under 500. The actual patty itself is somewhat heavy thanks to the thick, bready coating, though it is still a delicious option.

The sandwich is then dressed in regular toppings- such as mayonnaise to add some tenderness and moistness to the chicken breast and pickles for that necessary burst of acidity. 

Wendy’s also adds crispy lettuce, which offers some fresh crunchiness to balance out the fried nature of the breading as well as the heavier nature of the mayonnaise. The toasted bun acts as an excellent accompaniment to the filling.

4. Culver’s: Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Consists of a kaiser bun, a crispy chicken patty, pickles, tomato, and lettuce. 

With a juicy yet crispy chicken patty that has been well seasoned in a crunchy and delicious batter, the Culver’s Crispy Chicken sandwich is underappreciated yet super tasty. 

The kaiser bun that contains the patty and the toppings is soft and fluffy, making for an excellent contrast to the crunch of the chicken. 

The only issue with this sandwich is the lack of any sauce, as it can sometimes lead to the sandwich as a whole becoming a bit dry.

Most chicken sandwiches tend to include sauce such as mayonnaise to add that extra little dash of tenderness, so if this is an element that is important to you then this sandwich might not your top pick.

That being said, there is still tons to enjoy about Culver’s crispy chicken sandwich. 

5. Shake Shack: Chick ‘n Shack

Consists of a toasted bun, fried chicken fillet, pickles, lettuce, and herbed buttermilk flavored mayonnaise dressing.

Surprisingly, the Chick ’n Shack from Shake Shack was a sandwich that appeared a while before a fair amount of the most well-known chicken sandwiches in the fast food industry, having released back in 2015. 

The chicken patty might not be as crunchy as some of the others that we have mentioned, but it is incredibly thick and juicy.

The combination of the crispy lettuce and the crunchy pickle not only add some flavor, but also some texture to the sandwich.

The mayonnaise here is one of the best elements, with a buttermilk flavor that is spiced up with some herbs.

This dressing offers a yummy change up to the regular mayonnaise that is usually served with chicken sandwiches, making for a uniquely delicious twist on the classic chicken sandwich. 

6. Popeye’s: Chicken Sandwich

Consists of a brioche bun with a thick piece of fried chicken with a buttermilk batter, mayonnaise dressing and some rather large pickles!

Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich is the favorite choice of fast food chicken sandwich for many people, and it is not much of a surprise when you consider just how good it is. 

A buttery and soft brioche bun is used in place of the standard sesame seed bun or regular toasted choice of bun and whilst this isn’t particularly unique for a fast food chicken sandwich, the delicate sweetness of the brioche alongside the decadent, smoothness of the butter makes for a perfect way to encase the chicken, mayo and pickles.

Brioche is also a great choice for a sandwich or burger bun in general as it offers a somewhat more sophisticated take on the classic formula.

It is also a practical choice as brioche is able to hold its shape for longer thanks to its firmness (despite the soft taste and texture). 

The thick, cutlet of chicken (see also ‘20 + Amazing Chicken Cutlet Recipes To Try Today‘) used in the Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich is fried to delicious perfection for that tasty crunch within a buttermilk batter. 

What makes this sandwich so perfect is the way that it combines flavors to create the ultimate fast food chicken sandwich.

The combo of a sweet brioche bun with crunchy buttermilk chicken, velvety mayonnaise and tangy, flavorful pickles is truly a match made in heaven. 

Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich is definitely a front-runner for the best fast food chicken sandwich in general, so it is definitely one that you will want to check out. 

7. Burger King: Ch’King Sandwich

Consists of a potato bun, crispy chicken, Burger King’s signature sauce and thick and tangy crinkle cut pickles.

Burger King (see also ‘20 Best Burger King Breakfast Items That You Have To Try‘) revamped their chicken sandwich- naming it the Ch’King Sandwich- in 2021, and it was a little late to the party seeing as so many fast food restaurants had already established their own chicken sandwiches at this point.

However, it would seem that the extra time that Burger King took more than paid off as the Ch’King Sandwich is definitely one of the better choices out there (see also ‘Top 13 Best Burger King Items To Try‘). 

The Ch’King sandwich features a pretty substantial chicken fillet with a lot of crispiness and a golden brown coloring that makes it a visually appealing choice as well as a delicious one. 

The pickles add that much-needed tang whilst the unique bun is a feature that elevates the sandwich to another level of tastiness. The bun itself is a potato bun, which gives it a buttery softness similar to the brioche. 

The Ch’King Sandwich also offers a generous dollop of mayonnaise too, with the creaminess of this sauce combining well with the acidity of the pickles. 

Much like the Popeye’s Chickens Sandwich, the Burger King Ch’King Sandwich is definitely one of the best that you will find across any fast food restaurant (see also our favorite gluten-free fast food options). 

8. Raising Cane’s: The Sandwich

Consists of a toasted bun, three chicken fingers, lettuce, and Cane’s Sauce.

The Sandwich is one of the most well known items on the menu at Raising Cane’s (see also ‘The Best Items On The Raising Cane’s Menu!‘), but it is also a unique choice of fast food chicken sandwich as rather than being made from one chicken cutlet, it is made of three chicken fingers. 

The chicken fingers themselves are incredibly tender and covered with a tasty, non-greasy, crispy batter that has a flaky texture. The fingers also feature a burst of pepper, giving it a nice kick.

The buns themselves are well toasted and also considerable sized, making it possible for the chicken fingers and the toppings to fit in well without falling out as you try to eat. 

The presence of lettuce does not add much, but the Cane’s Sauce is able to offer some extra taste and texture to the sandwich.

9. McDonald’s: Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Consists of a potato roll with chicken fillets, salted butter and pickles. 

McDonald’s might be considered the cream of the crop when it comes to fast food, but its chicken sandwich borders on the realms of average in comparison to some of the other options on this list.

That being said, it is still a delicious choice of a fast food chicken sandwich. 

The potato roll is soft and tasty, but it isn’t quite as flavorful as some of the other fast food chicken sandwich buns. This could be due to the fact that rather than using standard sauce, the McDonald’s Crispy Chicken uses salted butter.

This isn’t an issue per se, but it does leave things a little flavourless in comparison to chicken sandwiches that have sauces that are full of herbs and spices. However, the butter does allow the potato bun to get extra crispy. 

The pickles are a welcome addition to the sandwich, whilst the chicken itself is tasty, even if it isn’t as crispy as others. The unique nature of the potato bun definitely makes it one worth trying if you are a connoisseur of fast food chicken sandwiches!

10. Zaxby’s: Chicken Sandwich

Consists of a potato bun, a crispy chicken fillet, pickles and a choice of either spicy Zax sauce or regular Zax sauce.

Whilst we are on the topic of potato buns, Zaxby’s is another that utilizes this style of bun for its chicken sandwich. 

The Zaxby’s Chicken Sandwich features some deliciously crispy chicken as well as tangy pickles, but what makes it stand out above some of the other chicken sandwiches is the sauce. 

Zaxby’s (see also ‘15 Delicious Items On Zaxby’s Menu‘) has their own, flavorsome Zax sauce that comes with their chicken sandwich. You get the choice of either regular Zax sauce or spicy Zax sauce when you order their chicken sandwich. 

The Zax sauce is a creamy blend of tangy spices- with a little extra spice added for the spicy variation- which works brilliantly with the potato bun, pickles and chicken within the sandwich. 

Though not as iconic as the sandwiches from restaurants such as Popeye’s or McDonald’s, Zaxby’s Chicken Sandwich is definitely a delicious option.  

11. Bojangles: Bo’s Chicken Sandwich

Consists of a buttered bun with crispy chicken, mayonnaise and thick cut pickles

Traditional yet delicious, Bo’s Chicken Sandwich- from Bojangles- is the perfect sandwich if you are looking for that southern fried chicken taste. 

The chicken is seasoned well to make it fantastically flavorful whilst maintaining that crispy taste and texture. Whilst it also has some sweet yet tangy pickles and thick, creamy mayonnaise, the chicken is the star of the show here.

You also don’t have to worry about not having that many toppings, as the flavors more than make up for it. 

12. Arby’s: Classic Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Consists of a star cut bun with a battered, buttermilk chicken fillet, shredded lettuce, mayonnaise and tomatoes. 

Whilst the Arby’s take on the chicken sandwich isn’t anything to write home about, it is definitely a solid choice that is worthy of this list. 

The sandwich itself features a patty that is not only juicy, but also has a peppery kick, which is a nice touch for those who like a burst of strong flavor in their sandwiches. 

The lettuce creates a decent crunch, whilst the tomatoes and mayonnaise increase the moistness of the sandwich as a whole. The use of buttermilk batter is also a decent addition that gives it some solid crunchiness and tenderness. 

13. Jack in the Box: Cluck Sandwich

Consists of a brioche bun, a chicken fillet, pickles and Jack in the Box mystery sauce. 

Don’t worry if the thought of mystery sauce is off-putting to you, as the Jack in the Box mystery sauce is a delicious addition to all of their menu items, including their Cluck Sandwich. 

The chicken features a crispiness and a crunchiness thanks to how well battered it is. Thankfully, you don’t get that greasy taste either, which can happen when you have a lot of batter.

Within this pleasant crunch, you will find juicy chicken breast meat.

The mystery sauce is the icing on the cake for the Cluck Sandwich, perfectly combining with the chicken and the tangy pickles thanks to having a taste that is much like a combo of mayonnaise, honey mustard sauce and barbecue sauce. 

The perfectly toasted brioche buns also add to the overall softness of the sandwich and blends well with the crunchiness. 

14. Checkers/Rally’s: Mother Cruncher Sandwich

Consists of a toasted bun with a crunch filled battered chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and Checkers Squawk sauce. 

The Mother Cruncher definitely wins for one of the best names of chicken sandwich, though in terms of quality, it isn’t quite as memorable as some of the other inclusions here. That being said, there is still a lot to enjoy about the Mother Cruncher. 

The highlight here is the Squawk sauce, which has a beautifully creamy taste that offers some moisture to the chicken. 

The Mother Cruncher might not be an out of this world experience, but it is tasty and crunchy enough to satisfy chicken sandwich lovers. 

15. Church’s Chicken: Chicken Sandwich

Consists of a brioche bun brushed with honey butter, fried chicken breast fillets, mayonnaise and pickles. 

A surprising contender in the competition for the best fast food chicken sandwich, Church’s chicken sandwich features a bun that is subtly sweet thanks to being brushed with a layer of the well known honey butter sauce from the restaurant chain.

This acts as the perfect foil to the tangy pickle chips and the well seasoned fried chicken. The creamy mayonnaise ties the whole sandwich together excellent. 

With a peppery, garlic like taste and a fantastic level of crispiness, Church’s Chicken Sandwich certainly earns its place as one of the tastiest in the crowded fast food chicken sandwich market. 

Final Thoughts

So there you have fifteen of the best fast food restaurant chicken sandwiches (see also our favorite low-carb fast food orders), as well as everything that you need to know about them!

If you are hankering for some classic fried chicken, then check out any of these options for a tasty treat.

However, the Popeyes Chicken Sandwich and the Burger King Ch’King are definitely two of the best that you will find across the fast food industry (see also ‘The Best Fast Food Options for Event Catering!‘).