Chick-fil-A may have the original chicken sandwich – and may have just refreshed its menu – but let’s face it:
There are now a ton of competitors coming for its crown!
Have any of them managed it yet? Well, that’s for you to decide…
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Here are ten that are pushing hard for it – and whose fans would certainly claim that they’ve finally lapped Chick-fil-A.
(And if you haven’t tried all of them yet, let me go ahead and make that your homework assignment – because these are some seriously good chicken sandwiches!)
Starting with:
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Where you can find them: 48 states (sorry Wyoming and Vermont), and over 3,000 stores. Chances are good that, if you want to find a Popeyes, it’s pretty close!
What makes their chicken sandwich amazing: Honestly, I’m in love with their Ghost Pepper chicken sandwich. It’s got such a quality heat. Also, their pickles are great. (And I’m not usually a pickle person.)
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Where you can find them: Shake Shack is in most states at this point, plus additional locations all around the world.
What makes their chicken sandwich amazing: I know, I know – Shake Shack isn’t exactly known for its fried chicken. Heck, it’s not even on its sign!
But that said – their Chicken Shack burger is actually quite good. The buttermilk herb mayo certainly elevates it. (And if you want to get extra fancy – their avocado bacon chicken sandwich is even better – although it’s also quite the mouthful!)
And then, yes, you should also get a milkshake and their crinkle-cut fries with it.
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Where you can find them: 24 states, with heavy concentrations in the Mid-Atlantic and Florida.
What makes their chicken sandwich amazing: Try the mega sando and tell me this chicken sandwich isn’t amazing. Plus, you’ll love their waffle fries (and also their waffles).
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Where you can find them: Tennessee, Atlanta, Birmingham, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Austin. Hopefully they expand further in the years to come!
What makes their chicken sandwich amazing: Hattie B’s fried chicken sandwich is legendary around Tennessee, and for great reason. Add pimento cheese for a truly incredible experience.
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Where you can find them:
What makes their chicken sandwich amazing: Raising Cane’s doesn’t just do chicken strips! They also have a chicken sandwich, and it’s just as good as you’d imagine – succulent chicken, fantastic sauce, great bun. Add coleslaw to make it extra special.
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Where you can find them: Just three locations right now, all in Northern Virginia – this is a chain to watch!
What makes their chicken sandwich amazing: The chicken is great, but what really makes it is their delicious ciderslaw and comeback sauce, which just elevates the chicken to the next level. Highly recommend.
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Where you can find them: Bojangles is in 18 states (plus Honduras), with the vast majority in the South. You’ll find the biggest clusters in North and South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia.
What makes their chicken sandwich amazing: I grew up in North Carolina, so I assumed Bojangles was everywhere. Turns out it isn’t, and that’s a shame! Bo’s chicken sandwich is an old favorite, with extra crispy chicken (it’s the buttermilk coating that does it), plus pickles and mayo. This is a sandwich you’ll never be sorry to eat.
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Where you can find them: Primarily in Chicago, but Harold’s has outposts in Indiana, Arizona, Georgia, Vegas, Missouri, Texas, Minnesota, and California.
What makes their chicken sandwich amazing: No frills, straight chicken, well cooked. As for sides, make sure you spring for the hush puppies, pizza puff with fries, and jalapeno poppers.
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Where you can find them: 17 states (usually just a couple locations per state), plus Carnival cruise ships. And Manchester, England.
What makes their chicken sandwich amazing: For the original, it’s the Big Chicken sauce. But they’ve also got a fantastic sandwich called the Shaq Attack with chipotle bbq and pepper jack cheese on it.
(Yes, it was founded by Shaquille O’Neal.)
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Where you can find them: KFC is just about literally everywhere. Every state, tons of countries, you can always get KFC.
What makes their chicken sandwich amazing: I saved my most controversial take for last.
Which is that KFC’s saucy chicken sandwich…is actually better than Chick-fil-A’s.
It’s much crispier, and with all the sauce options, you can go with a bunch of different flavor profiles.
Controversial, but I stand by it!
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I couldn’t leave without giving Chick-fil-A its due respect!
After all, their chicken sandwich is the original, and it’s still awesome.
Where you can find them: Chick-fil-A is in 48 states (no Vermont or Alaska) and has over 3,000 locations with plenty more on the way – so there’s pretty much always one nearby.
What makes their chicken sandwich amazing: Honestly, the original Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich is still one of the very best out there, and I LOVE their spicy chicken sandwich. Of course, Chick-fil-A sauce and waffle fries are a must.
So, the big question:
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Does one of these restaurants beat Chick-fil-A?
Or do you think they still reign victorious?
Let us know in the comments!
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