Known for delicious chicken that is crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside, Popeyes was a favorite of the late Chef Anthony Bourdain. After tasting the chicken sandwiches the chain has to offer, its easy to see why. Fresh-tasting fried chicken is soaked in buttermilk and battered for an extra crispy exterior, which pairs well with the tangy pickles that come on every sandwich.
We tried all of Popeyes chicken sandwiches to see which were the best. There were plenty of options, but most had the same basic ingredients: fried chicken and pickles on a soft brioche bun. The substantial pickles were particularly tangy and thick-cut. The variations were in the mayo, spicy sauce, or super hot ghost pepper sauce, as well as added bacon and cheese. Taste and texture were our top criteria for ranking all of Popeyes chicken sandwiches from worst to best.
The Popeyes chicken sandwich took the fast food world by storm when it was first introduced in 2019 Its combination of flavorful fried chicken, tangy pickles, and creamy sauce on a brioche bun captivated the tastebuds of fried chicken lovers across the nation But what exactly comes on this iconic sandwich that sparked lines out the door and even sold out at locations when it first launched? Let’s take a closer look at the components that make up this fast food phenomenon.
Deconstructing the Popeyes Chicken Sandwich
The star of the show is undoubtedly the crispy juicy chicken breast fillet. Popeyes marinates its all-white meat chicken for at least 12 hours in a blend of Louisiana seasonings, ensuring it’s perfectly seasoned and tender. The chicken is then battered and fried until golden brown and oh-so crunchy.
The chicken sits atop a soft sweet toasted brioche bun. Brioche is an egg- and butter-enriched bread giving the bun a slightly rich and flaky texture that provides the ideal base for the sandwich. Popeyes toasts the bun to create a subtle crunch and seal in the flavor.
Between the toasted bun and chicken breast is a healthy smear of creamy, tangy mayonnaise. While Popeyes doesn’t disclose the exact brand, it’s likely a high-quality mayo made with real eggs and oils. The mayo adds a cool, creamy contrast to the hot chicken and crunchy coating.
Of course, no chicken sandwich is complete without pickles. Popeyes uses whole dill pickle chips for a satisfying crunch. The vinegary tang cuts through the richness of the fried chicken and balances out the other flavors.
That covers the classic Popeyes chicken sandwich, but there’s also a spicy version that substitutes the regular mayo for a fiery, Cajun-spiked mayo. It packs quite the punch of heat!
Customizing Your Popeyes Chicken Sandwich
One of the great things about the Popeyes chicken sandwich is that you can customize it to suit your tastes. Don’t like pickles or mayo? No problem! You can order the sandwich plain or add and subtract ingredients. Some popular customizations include:
- No mayo or pickles
- Extra pickles
- Add cheese (American or pepper jack)
- Add bacon
- Substitute spicy mayo on the classic sandwich
The staff at Popeyes is usually willing to do what you want, so feel free to be creative. Just know customizations may cost a bit extra.
Why the Hype Over Fried Chicken on a Bun?
To begin with, this seemingly simple sandwich caused a huge stir when it first came out. The Popeyes chicken sandwich was unique for a number of reasons, including:
High-Quality Ingredients: Popeyes uses all-white meat chicken instead of less expensive mixed pieces. The chicken is marinated and seasoned for maximum flavor. The brioche bun is soft and buttery. The mayo is creamy and tangy. The extra effort pays off in each bite.
On-Trend Coating: While chicken sandwiches were already popular before Popeyes came along, its crispy, craggy fried coating was right on trend with what people wanted.
Competitive Price: Unlike some gourmet chicken sandwiches, Popeyes’ comes in at a wallet-friendly price point under $4 in most locations. Delicious taste at an affordable cost made it hugely popular.
Perfect Storm of Marketing: From viral social media chatter to a “sandwich war” between Popeyes and competitor Chick-fil-A, Popeyes’ marketing team helped ignite the chicken sandwich craze. Limited quantities and sellouts further fueled the hype.
Nutrition Info at a Glance
If you’re wondering about the nutrition facts on the Popeyes chicken sandwich, here are some quick highlights:
- Calories: Around 690 for classic, 700 for spicy
- Fat: 36-42g (mostly from fried chicken)
- Sodium: 1,443mg
- Protein: 25-28g
- Carbs: 49-55g
Even though it’s not the healthiest choice, it packs a good protein punch and tastes great. Moderation is key!.
Frequently Asked Popeyes Chicken Sandwich Questions
Here are answers to some of the most common Popeyes chicken sandwich questions:
Is it spicy?
The classic sandwich is very mild, getting just a touch of zing from the pickles. The spicy version has a noticeable kick thanks to its Cajun-spiked mayo.
What’s the sauce made of?
It’s mayonnaise-based. The classic sandwich uses a plain mayo while the spicy gets an addition of spicy Cajun flavors.
Can I get it without mayo?
Absolutely, just request no mayo when ordering. The sandwich won’t be as moist but you’ll still get those signature flavors.
What type of bun is used?
Popeyes uses a brioche bun to hold all the tasty fillings. It’s a slightly sweet, buttery bread.
Does it come in a combo meal?
Yep, you can order a chicken sandwich combo with a side and drink. Great for combo cravings!
Is it available all day?
Most locations sell the sandwich during all open hours, but a few may only offer it during lunch/dinner. Check with your local restaurant.
The Perfect Balance of Savory, Sweet & Spicy
From its crispy fried chicken and tangy pickles to its brioche bun and creamy mayo, the Popeyes chicken sandwich just hits the spot. Its perfect balance of flavors and textures make this fast food creation a modern classic. Next time you get a fried chicken sandwich craving, head to Popeyes and see for yourself why this sandwich earned its viral status. Just be prepared for lines!
Classic bacon and cheese chicken sandwich
You can add bacon and Havarti cheese to any of Popeyes sandwiches to add extra flavor. Adding these two things to the toasted brioche bun and crispy fried chicken makes this version of the chicken sandwich better than the original.
The cheese is more prominent and thicker than the bacon, which didnt add as much flavor as we expected. Maybe it was just the particular pieces of bacon that we ended up with, but they werent very salty, which was what we hoped for. Like the other bacon and cheese options, this one came with three strips, but the ones we got were a bit smaller and thinner. We’ve had chicken sandwiches with bacon at other fast food chains, but this one had a lot more cheese than bacon. Still, we really liked the thick-cut pickles with the cheese. The crispy chicken went well with them. This sandwich would have ended up higher on our list if the bacon was thicker, and the bacon-to-cheese ratio had been more equal.
Ghost pepper chicken sandwich with bacon and cheese
The ghost pepper chicken sandwich with bacon and cheese isnt for the faint of heart and has a ton of flavor. Not only does it feature Popeyes super spicy ghost pepper sauce but it also includes three strips of bacon and thick havarti cheese, which is known for its superior melting quality. The cheese in particular helped to calm the super hot ghost pepper sauce, although it was still too spicy for us to finish the entire sandwich.
This sandwich is a limited-time offering (as is the regular ghost pepper chicken sandwich), so dont expect it to stick around for good at Popeyes. If you really like the taste of spicy ghost peppers, make sure to try this sandwich before its taken off the menu. If you want a more manageable amount of heat with your meal, stick with the spicy classic chicken sandwich instead. We liked this option with bacon and cheese a little bit more than the standard ghost pepper version, but it was still not a sandwich that we would order again.