Ranking Fast Food Chicken Sandwiches From Worst to Best

From McCrispy to Double Down and Ch’King, Americans indulge in over 3.5 billion chicken sandwiches annually. But which fast food chicken sandwich truly justifies the price? Reddit users step in to provide an unfiltered perspective on the chicken-centric state of affairs. Spoiler: things are heating up.

With its satisfying combination of soft, toasty buns, zesty pickles, and creamy mayo, the fast food chicken sandwich has been gaining popularity over beef options since the visionary founder of Chick-fil-A introduced it in 1946 at The Dwarf Grill. Despite the assumption that a chicken chain would dominate, we discovered diverse opinions on which restaurant excels in chicken.

From Shake Shack to Wendy’s, Popeye’s, and Chick-fil-A, we conducted an online search for the most compelling arguments for—and against—every sandwich on the menu. (More on our methodology below.) Comparing fan favorites with the less appreciated options, we present our rankings of fast food chicken sandwiches from the ones to skip to those that truly hit the mark.

Don’t blame the player, blame the game. (Or in this case, maybe skip the drive-thru.) Meet the internet’s least favorite choice: McDonald’s McChicken … alongside the McCrispy, Deluxe McCrispy, Spicy McCrispy, and Spicy Deluxe McCrispy. All these options have been thoroughly criticized on Reddit.

“Absolutely repulsive. Tasted like cleaning products were used in the preparation. I was shocked at how awful it was,” shared one disappointed customer. With the classic McChicken viewed as a poor combination of chicken, shredded lettuce, and mayo on a bun, this lackluster sentiment resonates across the menu. One unsatisfied diner remarked about the Spicy McCrispy, “It’s probably the [worst] chicken sandwich I’ve ever had. Just a regular chicken filet with ‘spicy’ sauce.”

“[It] was a chicken brick drenched in sauce and accompanied by an avalanche of shredded lettuce that exploded everywhere as soon as I opened the box,” another non-connoisseur lamented. The fact that McDonald’s may be the cheapest choice on this list appears to be its only redeeming quality. As one Redditor warned, “Anyone with a palate would place McDonald’s last when craving a crispy chicken sandwich.”

Barely avoiding the bottom of this list, Hardee’s lands in 13th place, benefiting from significantly less attention than McDonald’s. Remaining under the radar seems to be advantageous for Hardee’s Hand-Breaded Chicken Sandwich, which provides nothing extraordinary beyond its crispy, buttermilk fried chicken, pickles, and mayo on a potato bun. One Redditor commented, “Hardee’s chicken strips are decent but the sandwich is a letdown.”

While some patrons reminisced about once superior sandwich versions, the current offering leaves much to be desired. “The chicken had a strange texture; I couldn’t shake the feeling it was undercooked,” recalled a customer, adding, “The chicken and breading were flavorless. There was way too much mayo, and the chicken was noticeably smaller than the bun. 1 out of 5 stars.” Perhaps the chain is just a shadow of its former glory.

Raising Cane’s, known for its chicken finger offerings, gained traction in the ’90s with marinated, hand-battered chicken. Yet, not everyone seems enthusiastic about the sandwich that incorporates those iconic tenders.

With three crispy chicken fingers, lettuce, and Cane’s Sauce atop a lightly toasted sesame seed bun, the sandwich appears poised for success. However, internet critics disagree. “Raising Cane’s is pretty f***ing bad. It might not be the absolute worst, but as a chicken-exclusive chain, it’s disappointing,” posted one Reddit user. Another criticized the small portions and subpar quality.

Many pointed to Cane’s Sauce as the draw of the brand, with one explaining, “Pretty much everyone I know agrees the chicken is just a vehicle for the sauce.” Complaints about rising prices and decreasing portion sizes were common, with one diner labeling Raising Cane’s overrated.

Burger King has been holding steady with its Original Chicken sandwich since 1979. However, the OG breaded chicken, lettuce, and creamy mayo on a toasted sesame bun now struggles to keep up in the competitive chicken sandwich landscape.

A lucky Redditor shared their experience, stating, “The chicken was stale and unpleasant, nearly sour. The lettuce was wilted. I was just hoping things wouldn’t go awry.” While others mourned the departure of the beloved Burger King Tendercrisp sandwich, another user described the OG, saying, “It was so SALTY that I didn’t even try to add barbecue sauce like intended, which made the experience even more disappointing.”

With the lettuce seemingly dragging the meal down, even the lone condiment wasn’t winning any admirers. One comment read, “It felt like someone dumped a jar of mayo on it, alongside terribly wilted lettuce and bland, thin chicken. I tossed it out and just munched on fries; which were also disappointing.”

If you’re feeling a flicker of hope for chick’wiches, it may come from driving past Wendy’s. By the summer of 2024, the chain is boasting seven variations of chicken sandwiches, but each has faced scrutiny (or foil). A subreddit titled “The chicken sandwiches are pure trash” has customers voicing their opinions.

Highlighting the toughness of the white meat, the original poster lamented that the chicken sandwich is excessively hard. Other commenters concurred, saying “Wendy’s burgers and fries are indeed top-notch. The rest is inedible,” noted a fan of beef patties.

Along with numerous complaints about the quality of chicken deteriorating over the years, one former devotee proclaimed, “Now it’s consistently soggy and has a rubbery texture when bitten into. Such a letdown.”

For a slightly better option than its predecessors, we have Jack In The Box. Despite the unconventional praise for the chain’s late-night chicken situation, not even Jack’s Good Good Sauce can redeem its Cluck Sandwich.

“I entered with no expectations, yet still left feeling disappointed,” wrote a Redditor about the crispy white meat filet, pickles, and sauce on a toasted brioche bun. Some claimed it wasn’t worth the elevated price compared to competitors, with another noting, “It was tiny compared to Popeyes or Chick-fil-A … Besides that, the chicken lacked flavor and was somewhat dry. And the sauce is unappealing.” (That doesn’t sound Good Good at all.)

On a post featuring a Cluck Sandwich showcasing just a quarter-sized dab of sauce beneath the bun, a frustrated customer identified the issue with the chain, suggesting, “I feel like Jack in the Box is notorious for promoting beautifully marketed food that fails to meet expectations.”

We can’t discuss a hot chicken spot without addressing its spiciest sandwich. At Dave’s Hot Chicken, the most fiery offering is the chicken tender slider, potentially requiring a waiver to enjoy, depending on the branch. Although it’s intended to set your palate ablaze, some diners claim it lacks sufficient heat.

Overpowering the accompanying kale slaw, pickles, Dave’s sauce, and bun, the Reaper slider has challenged even the most daring spice enthusiasts. However, patrons have reported inconsistent heat levels from the same location. One Redditor labeled it “Reaper Roulette” … Either it’s underwhelming or results in sleepless nights as it churns through your gut for hours.

For many, the Reaper might come across as overwhelmingly spicy. As one individual mentioned, “I’d say it’s bordering on ‘too spicy to genuinely enjoy as a meal.’ A bit less heat would make it ideal.”

Founded in 1977, Bojangles is known for its Cajun chicken, Southern biscuits, and tea, with 824 locations and counting. While some fans adore the Bo’s Chicken Sandwich introduced in 2021, others express less enthusiasm.

One Redditor commented, “It was simply ‘meh.’ The chicken was dry and overly spiced.” Another added, “Plus, the mayo and pickles didn’t do anything for it; the pickles were too mushy.” One user remarked it falls short of the Chick-fil-A sandwich standard. Nevertheless, a customer countered by stating, “It’s pretty solid, but doesn’t substantially enhance the chicken sandwich landscape.” If you reside near a Bojangles (thinking of the “good Bojangles” of this reportedly inconsistent chain), this chicken sandwich might prove worth your time.

Zaxby’s holds the sixth position, featuring mixed reviews. Established in 1990, the chain presents a breaded chicken filet on its Spicy Signature Sandwich — complemented by Spicy Zax Sauce, which appears to be its saving grace.

Zaxby’s version is constructed on a classic potato bun, with pickle chips and the chain’s proprietary Spicy Zax Sauce, creating a mayo-based fry sauce with a kick. Ranking just shy of a perfect 10, one Redditor recalled, “The spicy Zax sauce is fantastic. The pickles and bun nearly rival those from Popeyes, while the main star was moist, juicy, and impressively crispy … Absolutely loved it.” Another commenter expressed, “I genuinely enjoy Zaxby’s spicy signature sandwich.”

However, that was the high note among the critiques. A third participant interjected, claiming Zaxby’s is bland and mediocre. In another forum, a user noted, “Zaxby’s tastes like pre-packaged frozen chicken. No crunch or flavor.” It’s a tough blow for a chain that originated from chicken. Still, one individual managed to offer a compliment by stating, “I do love the spicy Zax sauce, though.”

Culver’s Spicy Crispy Chicken sandwich comes fully loaded with lettuce, tomato, and pickles on a toasted Kaiser bun, yet due to its 26-state reach, fans living further away may need to plan a road trip for this treat. “Best spicy chicken sandwich I have ever had,” raved one Reddit super fan.

The crunchy, Southern-style breading derives flavor from onions, garlic, and a hint of cayenne—plus a four-pepper spice blend to add delightful heat. Initially introduced as a limited-time item in 2018, several customers questioned, “Is this truly only for a limited duration? I can’t imagine life without it.” Thanks to an impressive first impression, the Spicy Crispy Chicken became a permanent menu item.

Culver’s’ chicken is sourced from local farms where animals are raised humanely on a vegetarian diet without hormones or antibiotics. This could explain why their chicken sandwich is so tasty, even without a slathering of mayo present. However, patrons can augment it with Culver’s signature sauce, which pairs exceptionally well with chicken.

From the chain that tests everything on its menu—right down to its nostalgic (never fresh, always frozen) crinkle-cut fries—we expected nothing less than meticulous care for its chicken sandwich selection. Presenting the Chicken Shack. (It’s so beloved that even Ina Garten opts for it when she’s not in the mood to cook.)

The chain cheerfully reminds customers that its chicken sandwich is available every day — a cheeky jab at Chick-fil-A, which is famously closed on Sundays. Featuring tender, white meat chicken breast on a fluffy potato bun with pickles, lettuce, and buttermilk herb mayo, one Reddit fan expressed, “Chicken Shack is outstanding.”

Another patron recommended the bacon cheese fries for a more substantial meal. A third diner confirmed, “Chick’n Shack is among the best things I’ve ever tasted.” Yet the statement stands, “The Chicken Shack seemingly claims victory in the chicken sandwich showdown.”

We can’t brush aside the on-again off-again, bun-less, double chicken-layered phenomenon: the KFC Double Down. Therefore, for this ranking, we’ll focus on the traditional KFC menu for the finger-lickin’ third best fast food chicken sandwich available.

While KFC lovers in Canada refer to it as the KFC Spicy Famous Chicken chicken sandwich, those dining in the U.S. know it as the KFC Spicy Chicken sandwich. Both the classic and spicy versions receive high praise, beloved for their double-breaded, extra crispy, white-meat chicken, crunchy pickles, spicy sauce, or Colonel’s mayo, all nestled in a toasted brioche bun. One Reddit user posted, “I sampled the KFC Spicy Famous Chicken Chicken Sandwich for the first time and ended up having three in four days. This sandwich is mind-blowingly delicious.”

Customer consistency across different locations seems to be a key factor that keeps KFC’s chicken sandwich at the forefront, with another user commenting, “KFC consistently ranks as the best, no matter the outlet.” Someone else struck a nostalgic chord, saying: “My heart will always belong to KFC. It was a big treat for us growing up; it usually meant Mom and Dad were going out, so we had a babysitter!”

Close on the heels of the top spot by just the length of a Cajun french fry, Popeyes remains competitive with our #1 choice by leveraging TikTok trends like “girl dinner” and locking in limited-time favorites as permanent menu items. Yet when it comes to their chicken sandwiches, patrons are expressing mixed opinions.

A Reddit thread titled “Popeyes has the worst chicken sandwich” was flooded with supporters defending the Spicy Chicken and Classic Chicken sandwiches. Both versions feature Popeyes’ hand-battered, buttermilk, crispy-fried chicken breast; a toasted brioche bun; pickles; and mayo, with the spicy version boasting a seasoned mayo that adds some heat. “I absolutely LOVE Popeyes chicken sandwiches; it’s my #1! I enjoy the spicy one with pickles!” shared one delighted customer. Another drew comparisons to McDonald’s chicken sandwich, stating, “Popeyes’ chicken patty is crispy, four times larger and usually fresh—not to mention that the spicy mayo is made fresh in-house.”

Although it’s not the most sought-after sandwich as of now, the phenomenon surrounding the Popeyes chicken sandwich, launched in 2019 and selling out rapidly, has kept the excitement alive as this chain aims for the champion’s title.

You don’t challenge the cream of the crop! Chick-fil-A’s cult-status chicken sandwiches dominate the field. “Chick-fil-A. There’s no contest,” proclaimed one Reddit user. This chain’s reliable lead in the market remains so consistent that even individuals who have left this chicken behind acknowledge it as their top choice.

Commendations usually go to the Spicy Chicken and standard Chick-fil-A chicken sandwiches. Featuring a buttery toasted bun, dill pickles, and a generous portion of freshly breaded chicken breast, it’s hard to dethrone this chain from its top position. “My favorite choice is a spicy sandwich with extra pickles and cheese sauce,” shared one northeast-based admirer, with an employee adding, “I always opt for the classic CFA sandwich, with just pickles & mayo. Nothing else. It tastes divine as-is.”

Some fans venture across the ideological divide regarding the brand’s well-known mission. “I’m a supporter of the LGBT community,” explained one Redditor who enjoys the chicken nonetheless. “I love Chick-fil-A. The app is fantastic, and the staff are always incredibly friendly … You maintain your goodwill in my opinion; personal or religious beliefs shouldn’t interfere.” If you happen to have leftovers, Chick-Fil-A has a recipe to ensure none go to waste.

To gather authentic opinions from the online community, we ventured deep into the Redditverse. (It was a dark place, littered with crumpled napkins.) Here, we encountered a host of purists, loyalists, and restaurant staff embroiled in debates over contentious subjects such as, “Why would anyone choose a chicken sandwich with lettuce—when that makes it a salad?” (The mystery may never be solved.)

Amidst the rants lay precious insights that we curated for this ranking. These genuine reviews, outlooks, and opinions are now represented here. If this exploration left you as famished as we felt, nothing caps off a fast food chicken sandwich order like a rich, creamy milkshake alongside it.