Who Has Grilled Chicken Sandwiches? A Look at the Top Fast Food Chains Offering This Healthier Option

In the past few years, grilled chicken sandwiches have become more and more popular at fast food chains. People want healthier and lighter options besides fried chicken or beef burgers, so many big chains now sell grilled chicken sandwiches. But because there are so many options, you might be curious about which fast food places serve the best grilled chicken sandwiches. I looked at reviews and nutrition facts to find out more about this subject and have now made a list of the best fast food chains that serve tasty 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

Wendy’s has some devotees when it comes to its grilled chicken offerings. Their Grilled Chicken Sandwich features an herb-marinated chicken breast with melted cheese, applewood smoked bacon, tomatoes, lettuce and honey mustard sauce on a toasted bun. One of the stand-out qualities of Wendy’s grilled chicken is that the chicken breast is always hot and juicy right off the grill. They also offer grilled chicken on wraps and salads. However, some reviewers have complained that the chicken can sometimes be a bit bland or dry, so Wendy’s comes in second to Chick-fil-A. Still, if you appreciate simplicity done right, Wendy’s grilled chicken sandwiches are a satisfying choice.

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:

• 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.

• Fresh toppings – The vegetables taste best when they are crisp and the sauces and condiments aren’t watered down.

• 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.

• Good value – You want a generous portion for the price you pay.

• 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.