Discover the top five chicken sandwiches from burger joints, as chosen by professional chefs.
Go, burgers-chicken sandwiches have their moment. Although Americans love burgers and eat them about three times a week, according to All About Burger, chicken sandwiches have found a place on the menus of burger joints and diners are planning for crispy, juicy, and flavorful options that rival even the most popular burgers. With so many tasty options to choose from, Eat This, Not That! asked the chefs to rate the chicken sandwiches at the burger chains that really stood out.
Shack Shake — Chicken Shack
Shake Shack is known for simplicity, high quality and really good execution—it’s like a gourmet version of a fast food burger, but Chicken Shack also gets a lot of buzz.
“This is the one I always recommend to people who think burger joints can’t do chicken right,” says Emma Sullivan, home cook and recipe developer at DailyCookingRecipe.com. “The breast is brined and fried to order, so it never sits under a heat lamp.” She adds, “The greens mayo and pickles make it easy, and that potato bun holds up without sinking. It’s the chicken sandwich I judge all others by.”
Wendy’s – Spicy Chicken Sandwich
For 50 years, Wendy’s has been serving fresh, never-frozen burgers, but the chain also does chicken well. The Spicy Chicken Sandwich is a “bold choice” recommended by Sullivan.
“Wendy’s has been making spicy chicken longer than most, and the breast is a whole piece of meat, not pressed or altered,” he said. “The level of spice is just right without being overpowering, and for the price point nothing beats it. I’ve ordered this more times than I’d like to admit after testing the recipe of late.”
Hardee’s Chicken and Biscuit Breakfast Sandwich
Hardee’s relies on big, comforting flavors and hearty portions, delivering outstanding grilled burgers. But the handmade chicken and biscuit sandwich was another surprise.
“Hardee’s chicken biscuits work because the biscuit is made fresh, and the chicken stays juicy,” says Therese Buchanan, home cook, food writer and recipe creator at Tessie’s Table. “The balance between the soft biscuit and the crispy chicken makes it easy to eat without feeling dry or heavy.”
Smashburger – Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Smashburger is loved for its fresh, made-to-order burgers with bold flavors and signature cooking style, but the chicken sandwiches are also impressive.
“Smashburger doesn’t get enough credit for their chicken,” Sullivan said. “The crispy chicken sandwich has this really satisfying texture that lingers even after a few minutes – which tells me they’re using the right double whammy technique.” He adds, “The lettuce and tomatoes are always fresh (not wilted like some places), and the brioche bun has just the right amount of sweetness to balance the sweetness.”
Culver’s – Crispy Chicken Sandwich
The Crispy Chicken Sandwich at Culver’s is a must, according to Sullivan
“They use hand-battered chicken breast and you can taste the difference straight away – it has that homemade quality that most chains can’t replicate,” she explains. “The coleslaw on the side goes really well. Culver’s proves that a place famous for butterburgers can also nail chicken.”
Heather Newgen
Heather Newgen has twenty years of experience reporting and writing about health, fitness, entertainment and travel. Heather currently freelances for several publications. Read more about Heather
