CLEVELAND, Ohio – Chicken? Yes, please. Spicy? Why not! If you’ve ever thought, “It looks and tastes great. Should I try it? Will I like it? Will it be too spicy for me?” then this list is for you.
We had the exact same thought, so naturally, Cleveland.com’s “Best Of” team made it its mission to try and report back on everything we could find.
We already know how much you, our readers, love a good chicken sandwich. (19 Best Fast Food Crispy Chicken Sandwiches) But do you also like it spicy? Wendy’s thinks so. In fact, there are two spicy versions on the Wendy’s menu.
We ordered the spicy chicken sandwich for £13 on the go, with no extras, just what was brought to us, we took notes, had ice-cold sodas on hand and wiped the sweat off our brows as the heat started to build.
Then we ranked each one to see if it lives up to its spice reputation. If you’ve been hesitant to try the one (or several) that catches your eye, don’t worry: we’ve done it all for you.
Where did your favorite spicy chicken sandwich rank on this list?
No.13
McDonald’s – Spicy McCrispy
McDonald’s Spicy McCrispy Chicken Sandwich – Photo: Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
Calories: 530
Price: $4.69
Menu Description: Southern-style fried chicken filet with spicy pepper sauce on a toasted potato roll, this sandwich is perfect for those who like it crispy, juicy, tender and warm.
Our Review: We didn’t like the regular either. The sauce was definitely tangy, but the chicken was underwhelming. It was overcooked with no crispiness and too many breadcrumbs. We might have been better off ordering a Big Mac.
12th place
Dairy Queen – Spicy Chicken Strip Sandwich
Dairy Queen’s Spicy Chicken Strip Sandwich – Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
Calories: 530
Price: $5.19
Menu description: Two DQ signature all-white meat seasoned chicken strips topped with crisp shredded lettuce, tomato and fiery DQ FlameThrower sauce, served on a soft, toasted bun.
Our thoughts: The “spice sauce” was really light. The tenders were a good size, the tomato and lettuce were fresh. More sauce please. If you order the “spicy” version, more heat please.
No.11
Arby’s – Buffalo Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Arby’s Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich – Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
Calories: 500
Price: $6.29
Menu description: A star-shaped top bun on top, a star-shaped top bun heel on the bottom. You ask what’s in between? It’s just a crispy, tender buttermilk chicken filet drenched in spicy buffalo sauce. Oh, and a creamy Parmesan Peppercorn Ranch dressing. And shredded iceberg lettuce. If you’re into that sort of thing.
Our thoughts: This sandwich had a lot of sauce on it, and it was all over the place. You need a happy medium here. It had the buffalo sauce you’d expect on chicken wings. There were no pickles, but there was mayonnaise on top and bottom and a little shredded lettuce.
10th
Burger King – Super Spicy Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Burger King Fiery Royal Crispy Chicken – Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
Calories: 760
Price: $5.79
Menu description: Crispy white breast filet with a fiery triple pepper glaze, topped with flavorful sauce, lettuce and juicy tomatoes, and served in a toasted potato bun.
Our Review: The tomato is a bit small, which is disappointing. No pickles or mayonnaise on the top or bottom bun. A bit crunchy, but not enough to live up to the name. Mild flavor, not “super spicy” as promised. Juicy chicken, fresh lettuce. Bun too big for the chicken.
No.9
Hardee’s – Nashville Hot Hand-Breaded Chicken Sandwich
Hardee’s Nashville Hot Hand-Breaded Chicken Sandwich – Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
Calories: 640
Price: $6.29
Menu Description: Prime white meat chicken fillets are hand-dipped in buttermilk, lightly breaded and deep-fried until golden brown, then served with deli pickles and mayonnaise on a potato bun.
Thoughts: Just the right amount of spiciness, juicy and succulent. Small in size. A generous dollop of mayonnaise on top and bottom helps to tone down the spiciness. The pickles are large, but there are only two in the photo.
No.8
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburger – Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburger Spicy Chicken Sandwich – Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
Calories: 570
Price: $6.69
Menu description: Tender chicken breasts grilled until golden brown, topped with crispy pickles and Freddy’s Extra Spicy Jalapeño Fry Sauce, and served on a toasted bun.
Our thoughts: Two large slices of pickles (if you want pickles on your sandwich, do it this way…others take note) The chicken was thin but crisp on the outside and around the edges. The spices were in the sauce, not in the chicken, and not enough to cover the entire chicken. But the chicken was cooked perfectly, and when I got a bite of the pickles, the spice kicked up. If you’re going to call this sandwich “spiced,” it needs more spice. I want spice in every bite.
7th place
Wendy’s – Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich – Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
Calories: 490
Price: $4.94
Menu Description: Juicy chicken breasts marinated in our signature blend of fiery chilies and spices, breaded for extra flavor inside and out, and cooled with crisp lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise – our Original Spicy Chicken Sandwich is just what you’re craving.
What we thought: This is one of the milder sandwiches. The more you eat it, the spicier it gets. There’s very little mayonnaise (just a drizzle on top) and no other sauces, so the heat is in the chicken. The fresh lettuce and tomato are delicious.
No.6
Larry’s – Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Larry’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich – Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
Calories: 340
Price: $3.29
Menu Description: This chicken strikes back: crispy spicy chicken topped with iceberg lettuce and mayonnaise served hot on a toasted sesame bun.
What we thought: This one surprised us. It doesn’t have any sauce to make it hot, but it’s definitely spicy. There’s nothing spicy about the chicken, but you can feel the heat after just one bite. Make sure you have a drink ready. It’s on the smaller side of the chicken patties we tried. Also, be careful if you order plain vs. spicy; it’s hard to tell the difference just by looking at it, and the packaging isn’t always marked.
No.5
Wendy’s – Ghost Pepper Ranch Chicken
Wendy’s Ghost Pepper Ranch Chicken Sandwich – Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
Calories: 690
Price: $6.69
Menu Description: Our legendary spicy chicken filet just got even hotter with three layers of ghost pepper heat: ghost pepper fried onions, ghost pepper American cheese, ghost pepper ranch, lettuce and tomato. Don’t be scared, just eat it.
Thoughts: I wish the cheese had been a bit more melted. The chicken was thin but still crispy. The tomato and fresh lettuce were tasty. The sauce, which was generously poured on top, was hot! The chicken itself was peppery and spicy. There was also too little of the “seasoned fried onions” that were promised. If it’s on the ingredients list, make sure you have enough.
4th Place
Chick-fil-A – Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Chick-fil-A’s spicy chicken sandwich – Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
Calories: 450
Price: $5.25
Menu Description: Boneless chicken breasts seasoned with a spicy chili blend, freshly breaded and pressure cooked in 100% refined peanut oil, served on a toasted buttered bun with dill pickle chips. Multigrain buns are also available.
Our Review: The pickles are tiny, which is disappointing. No mayonnaise or toppings. The spices are in the breadcrumbs. It gives a nice kick without being too saucey. Peppery and spicy. Plus, the option to order a multigrain bun is a nice touch.
3rd place
KFC Kentucky Fried Chicken – Spicy Chicken Sandwich
KFC’s spicy chicken sandwich – Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
Calories: 650
Price: $4.99
Menu Description: Featuring a crispy fried chicken breast filet made from the finest 100% white meat, double breaded and served with crispy pickles and the perfect heat from our spicy sauce. Served on a toasted brioche bun and cooked to order, this spicy sandwich never disappoints.
What we thought: The top and bottom buns were drizzled in sauce. It came with three pickles instead of two. Sweet and spicy! The chicken was crisp with the KFC breading. The chicken was juicy and cooked to perfection. This sandwich was just as spicy as we expected.
No.2
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen – Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Spicy Chicken Sandwich – Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
Calories: 700
Price: $4.99
Menu Description: Juicy chicken breasts marinated in Popeyes Seasoning are hand battered and breaded in our buttermilk system, deep fried until golden brown, then sandwiched between two buttery, toasted brioche buns and topped with barrel-aged pickle slices and classic mayonnaise.
What we thought: It’s spicy, but the sauce isn’t evenly distributed over the chicken, except on the top and bottom buns. The thick pickles are crunchy and tasty. The chicken is juicy and cooked just right. There’s a generous amount, enough to coat the bun. Make sure you spread the spices evenly over the entire chicken before biting into it, or ask for a side if you want something hotter.
First place
Culver’s – Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Culver’s Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich – Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
Calories: 500
Price: $6.89
Menu Description: The Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich is made with premium chicken that you’re familiar with and a four pepper spice blend for the perfect heat.
Our Review: The hot Cajun flavor is just right, not too strong. Crispy on the outside, moist and tender on the inside. The lettuce and tomato are fresh. It’s hard to tell it’s spicy just by looking at it, especially if you order the regular. But one bite and all doubts are cleared.
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