8 Chain Fast-Food Restaurants With the Crispiest Fried Chicken Sandwiches
The chicken sandwich remains one of the most popular drive-thru orders diners choose both in America and internationally (and the chicken market is only getting bigger with crazy year-on-year growth). This versatile sandwich can be savory, spicy, and sweet, packed with veggies or amazing with just a slice of cheese, but the fried chicken itself has to be actually crispy. Diners do not like rubbery patties! Here are eight fast-food chain restaurants with the crispiest, most delicious fried chicken sandwiches you can get.
Culver’s
Culver’s has some outstanding chicken options on the menu, including the basic Crispy Chicken. This sandwich is made with 100% whole white meat chicken breast coated in a proprietary Southern-style breading seasoned with onion, garlic and zesty black pepper, served with lettuce, tomato, mayo and dill pickles on a toasted Brioche bun. There’s also a Spicy Crispy Chicken and, for a limited time only, a Crispy/Spicy Crispy Club Sandwich. “We still guarantee a sandwich that is crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside,” the chain says.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A diners know they are getting a beautifully crispy and delicious chicken sandwich every time, whether it’s a basic Chicken Sandwich or the Deluxe. Many diners are convinced the Spicy Chicken options yield a crispier coating, with one Redditor saying, “the spicy coater (the flour mixture for the breading) is supposed to be sifted less often than the regular coater which makes the spicy filets a little crispier than the regular filets.”
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburger
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburger doesn’t just have fan-favorite burgers on the menu–the Crispy Chicken Club Sandwich is a must-try menu item. This sandwich contains tender chicken breast cooked to a crispy golden brown and topped with Swiss cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, on a toasted bun. Those who like a little heat can opt for the Spicy Chicken Sandwich, which contains Freddy’s Extra Spicy Jalapeño Fry Sauce.
Popeyes
Popeyes sandwiches arguably sparked off the fried chicken sandwich wars, and for good reason: Made from a juicy chicken breast fillet marinated in Popeyes seasonings, hand battered and breaded in buttermilk and fried until golden brown,topped with pickle slices and classic mayo in a brioche bun, it’s no wonder this crispy sandwich practically started a riot.
Jack In the Box
Jack’s Spicy Chicken was my go-to fast-food order for a long time: 100% all white meat spicy crispy chicken fillet with tomato, lettuce & mayo on a toasted buttery bakery bun. Crispy, crunchy, and delicious, this sandwich is outstanding. “Their spicy chicken sandwich still slaps and is one of the best,” one fan said.
Shake Shack
The Chicken Shack from Shake Shack is a delicious sandwich made with a hand-breaded, white-meat chicken breast over lettuce, pickles, and buttermilk herb mayo on a toasted potato bun. The Avocado Bacon Chicken and new K-Shack Fried Chicken Sandwich are also excellent, top-quality choices.
KFC
KFC‘s Zinger Sandwich was easily my favorite chicken sandwich in London, and now it’s back again in U.S. locations. “Enjoy a spicy marinated chicken breast with that Extra Crispy™ crunch, shredded lettuce, and creamy Colonel’s Mayo on a toasted brioche bun,” the chain says. “It’s testing in LA. Not quite back yet,” one Redditor said, but feel free to get your hopes up because that sandwich is incredible.
The Habit
The Crispy Chicken Sandwich at The Habit has never let me down: Crispy Chicken breast with white American cheese, house-made coleslaw, pickles on a toasted ciabatta with a choice of mayonnaise or spicy red pepper sauce. Another great option is to sub the crispy chicken as a protein on one of their delicious salads for an extra-special meal.