For years, the fast-food chicken landscape was dominated by fried options, primarily in the form of nuggets and crispy sandwiches. However, as consumer preferences evolved and health-conscious choices gained traction, many fast-food chains began incorporating grilled chicken into their menus. While fried chicken remains ubiquitous, finding a satisfying grilled chicken option is still possible. This guide explores which fast-food restaurants offer grilled chicken and ranks some of the best grilled chicken sandwiches available.
I recently embarked on a quest to sample grilled chicken sandwiches from six different fast-food establishments. My evaluation focused on chicken quality, flavor, and the overall harmony of ingredients. Here’s my ranking, culminating in my top pick.
Culver’s
Culver’s boasts about serving the thickest, juiciest, and most flavorful chicken sandwich. This sandwich includes a whole white meat chicken breast seasoned with salt and pepper, accompanied by crispy lettuce, ripe tomato, and pickles on a hoagie roll. At $7.29, it’s pricier than the crispy version.
The Look: The hoagie roll doesn’t quite complement the shape of the pale patty. Lettuce and tomato slices made it a bit difficult to handle.
The Taste: The slimy texture of the chicken was unappealing. Coupled with a lack of flavor, it was a disappointment. The hoagie roll was an unsuitable choice, rendering the entire sandwich dry. The fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and pickle chips were the only positive aspects. The seasoning was simply not enough to elevate the bland chicken.
Panera Bread
Panera Bread once offered the Signature Take chicken sandwich, but it’s no longer on the menu. Currently, they offer grilled chicken specialties, including options served on their asiago bagels, such as the Chicken Roma Asiago Bagel Stack. This option includes grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, chopped basil, fresh arugula, green goddess dressing, salt, pepper, and a garlic aioli drizzle and costs $7.99.
The Look: The cheesy toasted bagel is the first thing you notice. The inside is full of greens, tomatoes, and chicken strips, all covered in sauces.
The Taste: The asiago bagel taste was the highlight of the sandwich. The chicken itself was juicy but flimsy and rubbery, lacking seasoning. Garlic creaminess and fresh basil helped compensate for the bland chicken. While the other ingredients were well-crafted, the poultry quality was not up to par.
Subway
Subway offers various subs with grilled chicken, including the Teriyaki Crunch, Spicy Nacho, and a classic Grilled Chicken sub. This sub features hearty multigrain bread, chicken strips, white American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and a choice of sauce. I opted for honey mustard. A 6-inch sub costs $6.99.
The Look: The sauce was generously applied, while the chicken portion was minimal. Rings of onion and tomato slices were visible between the bread, with sparse lettuce.
The Taste: With melted cheese, vegetables, and honey mustard, the sandwich was decent, but the chicken wasn’t outstanding. The strips were thicker than Panera’s, with a savory grilled taste. They were somewhat juicy and springy, but not particularly special. The chewy multigrain bun added to the take-it-or-leave-it experience.
Smashburger
Smashburger offers a unique Chicken Smashburger made with ground chicken, marinated in-house with garlic olive oil seasoning. Lettuce, tomato, and mayo are added on a butter-toasted bun. This sandwich costs $8.09.
The Look: The patty had a concerning greyish-pink color, resembling uncooked chicken. The bun appeared dry.
The Taste: The chicken tasted better than it looked. It resembled a typical burger patty with hints of the grill and a fatty essence. Salt, pepper, and oregano (or rosemary) seasonings were noticeable. The bun was slightly oversized for the patty and toppings. Overall, with mayo, lettuce, and tomatoes, the flavors were diverse. However, the appearance was off-putting.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A’s grilled chicken sandwich, launched in 1989, features a lemon-herb marinated boneless chicken breast, lettuce, tomato, and a toasted multigrain bun, accompanied by honey-roasted BBQ sauce. It costs $6.75.
The Look: The sandwich looked fresh with a grain-spotted bun, tomato, and lettuce. The chicken had blackened marks and marinade specks.
The Taste: It had a fresh-off-the-grill flavor. The smokiness complemented the citrus marinade. While the chicken wasn’t the thickest or juiciest, it was flavorful. The lettuce and tomato made it slightly dry, but the BBQ sauce (similar to Chick-fil-A sauce) compensated. It’s a consistent and reliable grilled chicken option.
Swensons
Swensons, an Ohio fast-food joint known for its Galley Boy burgers, also offers a grilled chicken sandwich. The patty is combined with tomato, lettuce, and mayo on a toasted whole wheat bun for $5.99.
The Look: While the bun was crackly, the chicken looked divine. It had grill marks and was about an inch thick.
The Taste: The chicken was unbelievably juicy and tender, the highest quality poultry of all the sandwiches. It almost tasted fatty, adding to its succulence. The lettuce provided crunch, the tomato acidity, and the mayonnaise tanginess. The bread was slightly overwhelmed by the fillet size. At $5.99, it was a steal and the best grilled chicken sandwich of the bunch.
If you’re searching for “What Fast Food Has Grilled Chicken”, these are some of the best options, with Swensons taking the top spot. While fried chicken might be the fast-food norm, these grilled chicken sandwiches offer a healthier and flavorful alternative.
