Who Has the Best Grilled Chicken Sandwiches? 15 Fast Food Chains Ranked

Let’s face it – sometimes you want fast food that doesn’t leave you feeling guilty afterward. Grilled chicken sandwiches are that perfect middle ground between indulgence and healthier eating. I’ve spent way too many lunch breaks trying different options (my wallet can confirm this), and today I’m breaking down who actually has grilled chicken sandwiches worth your time and money.

The Grilled Chicken Landscape in 2025

The fried chicken sandwich wars got all the attention but the grilled chicken battle is just as fierce. Not every chain offers grilled options – McDonald’s, Burger King, Sonic White Castle, and A&W don’t currently have grilled chicken sandwiches on their menus. Even Wendy’s removed its grilled chicken sandwich last year to make room for wraps.

But don’t worry! There are still plenty of places serving up delicious grilled chicken between two buns Let’s dive into who’s got the goods,

Top 15 Fast Food Grilled Chicken Sandwiches Ranked

15. Panera: Signature Take Chicken Sandwich

The Verdict: Disappointing at best

Panera’s Signature Take Chicken Sandwich looks fancy with its parmesan crisps mixed greens and garlic aioli on a brioche roll. But customers consistently report

• Tiny chicken portions (one Reddit user joked it “looks like the chicken shrunk in the wash”)
• Dry, tough chicken texture
• Bland flavor requiring tons of modifications
• High price point that doesn’t match the portion size

Simply put, this is why it’s at the bottom of our list. You deserve better.

14. Carl’s Jr.: Charbroiled BBQ Chicken Sandwich

The Verdict: Love it or hate it

This sandwich features a charbroiled chicken breast with lettuce, tomato, and BBQ sauce on a potato bun. The reviews are all over the place:

• Some praise the freshness: “Fresh lettuce and tomatoes. Chicken cooked perfectly”
• Others despise the BBQ sauce’s unique flavor
• Quality varies dramatically by location

The divisive opinions and hit-or-miss quality land this sandwich near the bottom.

13. Jack in The Box: Grilled Chicken Sandwich

The Verdict: Forgettable but has potential

Jack’s sandwich features grilled chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, and “Good Good Sauce” on toasted sourdough bread. What stands out:

• The sourdough bread is actually pretty good
• Butter gives it a nice touch
• But the chicken is often described as “rubbery”
• The sauce tastes like “watered-down French dressing”
• Size complaints abound with one reviewer noting it was “tiny”

The sandwich isn’t terrible, but with better options out there, why settle?

12. Panera: Spicy Take Chicken Sandwich

The Verdict: Good concept, poor execution

This sandwich features seared chicken with Buffalo sauce, pickle chips, and garlic aioli on brioche. The issues:

• Not enough Buffalo sauce
• Chicken quality deteriorates quickly after cooking
• High price point for mediocre quality
• Forgettable overall experience

It ranks higher than Panera’s Signature Take but still disappoints.

11. Wendy’s: Grilled Chicken Sandwich

The Verdict: Underwhelming from a “fresh” chain

Wendy’s offers an herb-marinated grilled chicken breast with mayo, lettuce, and tomato on a toasted bun. The problems:

• Wilted lettuce
• Off-putting chicken texture
• Quality has declined over the years

For a chain that prides itself on freshness, this sandwich fails to deliver.

10. Burger King: Tendergrill Chicken Sandwich

The Verdict: Simple but dry

BK’s offering includes a white meat chicken filet with lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo on brioche. It’s nothing special:

• Fresh toppings but basic execution
• Consistently dry chicken (“BONE-DRY” according to one review)
• Difficult to eat due to dryness

It’s adequate in a pinch but not worth going out of your way for.

9. Whataburger: Grilled Chicken Sandwich

The Verdict: Needs upgrades to shine

This Texas-based chain serves a grilled chicken filet with tomato, lettuce, and WhataSauce on a brioche bun. The reviews:

• Some call it “the most perfect one I’ve had”
• Others note “the filets have no flavor”
• Requires additional condiments to elevate the taste

It’s a solid foundation but needs customization to really shine.

8. Culver’s: Grilled Chicken Sandwich

The Verdict: A newer contender with potential

Culver’s recently added grilled chicken to their menu, and early reports are promising:

• Quality-focused preparation
• Substantial portion size
• Fresh ingredients consistent with Culver’s reputation
• Made-to-order preparation

While it hasn’t been around long enough to climb higher on the list, Culver’s quality approach makes this a sandwich to watch.

7. Subway: Elite Chicken and Bacon Ranch

The Verdict: Indulgent but inconsistent

This footlong features bacon, rotisserie-style chicken, double Monterey cheddar, veggies, and peppercorn ranch. The experience:

• Bacon makes it “insanely good” according to fans
• Generous portions and filling size
• BUT the chicken quality is hit-or-miss
• Some describe it as “rubbery” and “the worst”
• Occasionally missing toppings

When made right, it’s delicious, but consistency issues keep it from ranking higher.

6. Subway: The Mexicali

The Verdict: A staff and customer favorite

Subway’s #7 sandwich combines rotisserie chicken, smashed avocado, pepper jack cheese, veggies, and Baja chipotle sauce. The highlights:

• Subway employees recommend it enthusiastically
• The avocado and chipotle “melts in your mouth”
• Mexican-California fusion flavor profile
• Second most popular sandwich at many locations

The chicken quality issues remain, but the flavor combination elevates this option.

5. Carl’s Jr.: Charbroiled Chicken Club Sandwich

The Verdict: A meaty upgrade

This sandwich kicks things up with charbroiled chicken, bacon, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo on a potato bun. The reviews:

• “Nothing better than laying in bed eating Carls Jr” (a bit extreme, but ok)
• “Tender and juicy” chicken that’s “the star of the dish”
• Crispy bacon adds another dimension
• Some fans have ordered it for 30+ years

Some recipe changes have upset long-time fans, but many still consider it their favorite.

4. BurgerFi: Grilled Chicken Sandwich

The Verdict: Quality ingredients shine

Available at select locations, BurgerFi’s offering features all-natural grilled chicken breast, lettuce, tomato, and honey mustard. What works:

• High-quality, all-natural chicken
• Simple but effective ingredient combination
• Thoughtful preparation

BurgerFi’s commitment to better ingredients earns it a spot in the top five.

3. Chick-fil-A: Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich

The Verdict: Unsurprisingly excellent

From the chicken experts comes a lemon-herb marinated chicken breast on multigrain brioche with Colby Jack, bacon, lettuce, and tomato. The strengths:

• Consistently fresh ingredients
• Tender, flavorful chicken with that “off-the-grill” taste
• “A little sweet” bun that complements the savory elements
• Multiple grilled options (including nuggets and wraps)

Chick-fil-A knows chicken, and their grilled options don’t disappoint.

2. Smashburger: Truffle Mushroom Swiss Grilled Chicken Sandwich

The Verdict: Sophisticated and delicious

This gourmet option features grilled chicken, melted Swiss, sautéed crimini mushrooms, and truffle mayo. The highlights:

• “If you like mushrooms and truffles, you’ll be addicted”
• Well-seasoned and served hot
• Earthy mushrooms balance the light chicken
• One of six grilled chicken options at Smashburger

The upscale flavor profile and consistent execution make this a standout choice.

1. The Habit: Chicken Club

The Verdict: The undisputed champion

The Habit’s Chicken Club features marinated chicken, fresh veggies, crispy bacon, and quality sourdough bread. What makes it #1:

• “Cook-to-order” freshness that customers rave about
• Generous portion size that’s “more than enough”
• Non-rubbery chicken texture
• No skimping on ingredients
• “Better than good” according to reviewers

The Habit delivers a consistently excellent grilled chicken experience that beats out all competitors.

Why Choose Grilled Chicken?

If you’re trying to eat a bit healthier without giving up fast food entirely, grilled chicken offers several advantages:

• Lower calories than fried options
• Less fat while maintaining protein content
• Still satisfying and flavorful
• Versatile with various toppings and sauces
• Available at many major chains

How We Ranked These Sandwiches

I didn’t just pull these rankings outta thin air. This list was created by analyzing:

• Customer reviews across multiple platforms (Yelp, Tripadvisor, Reddit)
• Specific feedback on taste, freshness, size, and value
• Consistency across locations
• Overall popularity and customer satisfaction
• Unique flavor profiles and ingredients

The Bottom Line

When you’re craving a grilled chicken sandwich, not all fast food options are created equal. The Habit, Smashburger, and Chick-fil-A consistently deliver quality experiences, while others like Panera and Jack in the Box might leave you disappointed.

Remember – sometimes the simplest ingredients done right make for the best sandwich. Fresh veggies, quality chicken, and a touch of sauce on good bread can beat out fancy toppings any day if the basics aren’t solid.

Now I’m hungry. Might need to grab a grilled chicken sandwich for lunch…

The healthiest fast food grilled chicken sandwich is generally considered to be the Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Sandwich, which is relatively low in calories, saturated fat, and sodium, providing a good balance of protein, fiber, and nutrients.

No, Wendy’s does not currently offer the popular Grilled Chicken Sandwich, as it was discontinued in 2023 to be replaced by the Grilled Chicken Ranch Wrap, which uses pre-cut, warmed chicken in a tortilla, according to Yahoo, TODAY.com, and Reddit. While the sandwich was a fan-favorite, the company removed it to streamline operations and offer a different chicken option, leading to some customer disappointment, notes Yahoo and TODAY.com.

No, McDonald’s does not currently have grilled chicken sandwiches on its standard U.S. menu, as they were removed in 2020 due to weak sales and to streamline operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.