A while ago, fried chicken sandwiches were all the rage in fast food, but grilled chicken sandwiches are also served at many of the big chains. While many people are trying to eat healthier, this option can be a good one. However, not all fast food places are great at it.
Sometimes, the chicken is rubbery or the bun is stale. Some places use wilted lettuce or watered-down sauces. It seems obvious that a grilled chicken sandwich would be a good choice, but many fast food chains still don’t know how to make tender grilled chicken with tasty toppings. Others, however, make irresistible grilled chicken sandwiches.
We scoured the internet for customer reviews and ratings to determine the highest-ranked grilled chicken sandwiches from the most well-known fast food restaurants. In evaluating these sandwiches, we attempted to assess the overall rating scores in conjunction with both positive and negative reviews to the best of our ability. You will find more about our assessment criteria at the end of this article, but for now, check out which of these fast food grilled chicken sandwiches are worth the hype and which might be over-rated.
Grilled chicken sandwiches have become an increasingly popular menu item at fast food restaurants over the last few years. With consumers looking for healthier and lighter options compared to fried chicken or beef burgers, many major chains now offer grilled chicken sandwiches. But with so many choices out there, you may be wondering which fast food restaurants actually have the best grilled chicken sandwiches. I did some research on this topic, looking at reviews and nutrition information, and have compiled a list of the top fast food chains that offer delicious grilled chicken sandwiches.
Why Choose Grilled Chicken?
First, let’s look at why grilled chicken can be a smarter pick than a fried chicken or beef burger at a fast food restaurant. Here are some of the main benefits of opting for grilled chicken
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Lower in fat and calories: Grilled chicken is significantly lower in fat and calories compared to fried chicken. While a fried chicken sandwich may have around 700-1,000 calories, a grilled chicken sandwich often has around 400-700 calories. The grilled preparation method eliminates all the extra oil used for frying.
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More protein: Grilled chicken provides plenty of protein to help you feel full and satisfied. A typical grilled chicken sandwich has at least 25-40 grams of protein.
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Rich in nutrients: Niacin, selenium, vitamins B6 and B12, and more can be found in chicken. Adding vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, and onions to a grilled chicken sandwich makes it healthier as well.
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Variety of flavors: There are a lot of different ways to season or sauce grilled chicken, depending on whether you like it plain or spicy and flavorful. From lemon-herb to Cajun the possibilities are endless.
Top Fast Food Chains for Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
Chick-fil-A
As a chain specializing in chicken, it’s no surprise that Chick-fil-A tops most lists when it comes to the best grilled chicken sandwich. Their classic Grilled Chicken Sandwich features a tender, juicy lemon-herb marinated chicken breast served on a toasted multigrain bun with lettuce and tomato. Reviewers on sites like Yelp and TripAdvisor consistently praise the flavor of the chicken breast, which has that perfect off-the-grill taste. Chick-fil-A also offers some variations like the Grilled Chicken Club with bacon and cheese. If you’re looking for a lighter gluten-free option, you can get the grilled chicken served in lettuce leaves instead of a bun. With its focus on quality, Chick-fil-A remains the leader when it comes to grilled chicken sandwiches at fast food chains.
Wendy’s
Some people really love Wendy’s grilled chicken. Their Grilled Chicken Sandwich has applewood-smoked bacon, melted cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and honey mustard sauce on a toasted bun. The chicken breast is marinated in herbs. The chicken breast is always hot and juicy right off the grill, which makes Wendy’s grilled chicken stand out. They also offer grilled chicken on wraps and salads. Other reviewers have said that the chicken is sometimes bland or dry, which means that Chick-fil-A is the clear winner. Still, Wendy’s grilled chicken sandwiches are a good choice if you like simple things done right.
Zaxby’s
Zaxby’s has created a following for its zesty grilled chicken sandwiches. Their deluxe Grilled Chicken Sandwich consists of a tender marinated chicken breast topped with lettuce, tomato, pepper Jack cheese, and honey mustard sauce on a toasted potato bun. The flavors pop with the cheese and mustard sauce adding a kick. The chicken is consistently juicy and many reviewers praise Zaxby’s for their generous sandwich sizes compared to some other chains. One downside is that the bun can sometimes get soggy, but overall their grilled chicken sandwich ranks highly on taste and value.
BurgerFi
If you want a better grilled chicken sandwich, BurgerFi is the place to go. Some of the chicken they use comes from Springer Mountain Farms and is free of hormones and antibiotics. The Grilled Chicken Sandwich at BurgerFi comes on a brioche bun with pickles, lettuce, tomato, garlic aioli, and BurgerFi sauce. Reviewers love the juicy chicken breast that tastes smoky and charred. The toppings are fresh and zesty. The only problem is that it costs more, but you can taste that the ingredients are good. If you’re near a BurgerFi, you should try their grilled chicken sandwich.
Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box offers an underrated grilled chicken sandwich that many reviewers say is on par with the top chains. It features a grilled chicken breast topped with lettuce, tomatoes and buttery garlic herb sauce on grilled sourdough bread. The sliced sourdough really makes the sandwich, giving it a subtle sweetness to balance the savory chicken. The chicken breast itself has a nice smoky taste from being cooked over an open flame. Some complain it can be a bit small, but overall it satisfies the craving for a straightforward grilled chicken sandwich.
Panera Bread
For a grilled chicken sandwich paired with some fresh avocado, stop by Panera Bread. Their Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt sandwich is a winning combo of a chipotle-seasoned chicken breast, melted cheese, avocado, lettuce, tomatoes and chipotle mayo on crunchy ciabatta bread. Reviewers say the avocado adds creaminess and flavor that puts Panera’s grilled chicken sandwich near the top. Panera also offers some other variations like their Southwest Chicken sandwich with bacon and their Bacon & Chicken sandwich with smoked gouda cheese. Overall, you can expect fresh high-quality ingredients and balanced flavors.
McDonald’s
Surprisingly, McDonald’s makes the list for its delicious Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich. It contains a grilled chicken breast, topped with tomato, lettuce, and mayo, along with grilled or crispy bacon. The quality of the chicken is impressive, with reviews praising its tenderness and juiciness. Added bonus – it’s served on a artisan roll toasted with butter. The only caveat is that it can be on the smaller side. But overall McDonald’s does a fine job on this grilled chicken sandwich option, proving they can provide more than just Big Macs and McNuggets.
Subway
At Subway, you can build your own custom grilled chicken sandwich, choosing from six types of bread, various vegetable toppings and sauces. Their chicken is grilled fresh in the store daily. Fans of Subway say it’s ideal for a lighter sandwich with quality grilled chicken breast slices. Subway’s chicken may not be quite as juicy or flavorful as places like Chick-fil-A. But the ability to fully customize your sandwich makes up for it. Some go-to combos are the Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki sandwich, the Chipotle Chicken Melt, or buffalo chicken with ranch sauce.
Dairy Queen
You may not think to go to Dairy Queen for a grilled chicken sandwich, but some customers have been pleasantly surprised. Their Homestyle Chicken Grill Sandwich features a tender grilled chicken breast topped with lettuce, tomato and mayo on a toasted bun. The chicken has nice char marks giving it that backyard grill taste. And it is served hot off the grill. Some say it reminds them of Chick-fil-A’s sandwich but with bigger portions. Overall, a solid fast food option if you want grilled chicken in a more unique spot.
Key Things To Look For in A Grilled Chicken Sandwich
When it comes to grilled chicken sandwiches at fast food chains, here are some of the key factors that I looked at in evaluating which ones came out on top:
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High-quality chicken – The chicken breast should be tender and juicy on the inside with nice grill marks on the outside. It should have a lightly charred flavor.
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Fresh toppings – The vegetables taste best when they are crisp and the sauces and condiments aren’t watered down.
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Balanced flavors – All the ingredients should complement each other. The chicken, toppings and sauces should have the right mix of savory, sweet, tangy and spicy.
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Good value – You want a generous portion for the price you pay.
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Hot and fresh – The sandwich tastes best served hot off the grill. If it’s been sitting around, the bun can get soggy.
So there you have it – a run down of the fast food chains where you can find a delicious grilled chicken sandwich. Chick-fil-A remains the undisputed leader in terms quality and taste, but Wendy’s, Zaxby’s, BurgerFi and others also have great options worth trying. Just look for grilled chicken sandwiches with high-quality ingredients, juicy chicken breast, and balanced flavors. Avoid any with dried out or rubbery chicken or skimpy toppings. With so many locations to choose from, you can enjoy a healthier grilled chicken sandwich meal no matter where your day takes you.
Whataburger: Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Whataburger makes a decent Grilled Chicken Sandwich, considering the chain is all about burgers. This sandwich features a grilled chicken filet with tomatoes, lettuce, and WhataSauce on a brioche bun. With incredibly simple ingredients, the sandwich isnt a showstopper, but some people still think its worth a try. It seems no one has qualms about the quality of execution of the sandwich, with one reviewer highlighting how the sandwich was served hot and fresh. A Reddit user praised it, saying, “decided to try the grilled chicken sandwich, honestly it was about the most perfect one Ive had.”
Others do not agree, however, with one unhappy customer saying, “The filets have no flavor.” Some people have also noted that need to add additional condiments to kick up the flavor. With the consensus being that this sandwich is rather unexciting and in need of modifications, it simply cant rank higher on our list.
Subway: Elite Chicken and Bacon Ranch
According to many customers, Subways Elite Chicken and Bacon Ranch sandwich lives up to its name. A chicken, bacon, and ranch sandwich has been on Subway’s menu for years, but the company changes the ingredients a lot and adds and removes it from the menu all the time. This heavy and decadent sandwich is a footlong with bacon, rotisserie-style chicken, double Monterey cheddar cheese, tomatoes, red onions, lettuce, and creamy peppercorn ranch with a punch.
Some people are head over heels for this sub. One fan made an online post asking why the sandwich is the best on the menu, and another Reddit user replied, “I think its something about the bacon that makes it insanely good.” Many others in this thread chimed in to show their love for the sandwich as well.
But not everyone is a fan, with several people stating that Subway chicken is terrible and rubbery. One customer on Reddit said, “Im sorry to everyone who enjoys it, that chicken is literally the worst !” Another commenter complained, “Im VERY disappointed and didnt eat my sandwhich because the chicken breast also tasted like rubber.”
There have also been a few negative reviews regarding the lack of toppings, with one Yelp reviewer saying their sandwich “was missing more than half of the condiments and toppings…including the bacon!” Many people who try it rave about the indulgent and cozy flavors, but the inconsistent quality and low-quality chicken put it toward the middle of this ranking.
Molly Makes a Grilled Chicken Sandwich | From the Test Kitchen | Bon Appétit
FAQ
Does Wendy’s still have a grilled chicken sandwich?
No, Wendy’s no longer offers a standalone grilled chicken sandwich. It was discontinued in 2023 to make way for the Grilled Chicken Ranch Wrap. The sandwich featured an herb-marinated grilled chicken breast, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, and a toasted bun.
Does McDonald’s still do a grilled chicken sandwich?
The 2020 removal came after several different iterations of the sandwich — the first of which was the Grilled Chicken Deluxe in 1996 — and was due to weak sales, according to a TikTok made by Chef Mike Haracz, a former corporate chef for McDonald’s.
Does Dairy Queen make a grilled chicken sandwich?
Grilled Chicken Sandwich. A spicy chicken fillet grilled and put on a warm toasted bun with crisp chopped lettuce, thick-cut tomato, and mayo. Menu items may vary by location and are subject to change.
Does Panera Bread have a grilled chicken sandwich?
Caprese Grilled Chicken. Grilled chicken is topped with Creamy Tomato Soup and gooey mozzarella, and cheese crisps add texture for a crunchy finish.