The battleground is a fast food industry, and the prized commodity is the chicken sandwich. McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A are engaging in an epic battle, with McDonald’s eliminating its Crispy Chicken Sandwich against Chick-fil-A’s iconic Original Chicken Sandwich. Having tried both, I set out to compare these two head-to-head, into taste, texture, cost, and overall mojo. My mission? Discover whether the incumbent king remains supreme or whether the cheapskate newcomer can steal the crown. Let us get to the point and find out which sandwich is penny-pinching worthy.
1. The Contenders
Imagining that: two fast-food behemoths competing with each other. McDonald’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich is the flippant dark horse, with a crispy, buttermilk-battered chicken breast filet nestled between a toasted potato bun, dotted with dill pickles and your sauce of choice such as honey mustard or barbecue. It’s McDonald’s going for the gusto to disrupt the chicken sandwich segment.
And don’t forget Chick-fil-A’s Original Chicken Sandwich, fan favourite. Hand-breaded, juicy chicken breast filet on a toasted, buttered bun with that iconic dill pickle. Chick-fil-A has cultivated a cult base on being reliable. It’s not sandwiches it’s bragging rights, loyalty, and who can do the ultimate chicken sandwich best.
2. The Bun
The bun is similar to the foundation of a sandwich it’s gotta hold it all together. McDonald’s uses a soft toasted potato bun topped with sesame seeds. It’s nice and homey, but honestly, mine was actually really greasy and tasted stale, which wasn’t the best first impression.
Chick-fil-A, however, has a buttery, toasted bun that’s slightly sweet, like a Hawaiian roll. It’s not oily and is lightweight and airy, and it leaves a pleasant, slightly sweet feeling that complements the chicken well. Its denser texture keeps everything in line, and Chick-fil-A deserves credit for that. McDonald’s is acceptable, but Chick-fil-A’s just seems to care more.
3. The Chicken Patty
The pièce de resistance of the meal is certainly the chicken. McDonald’s offers a crunchy, buttermilk-breaded 100% white chicken meat patty that is golden and crispy. It has the great crunch of it, though mine was too thin for my liking and the thick breading made it dehydrate at times.
Chick-fil-A’s hand-breaded and pressure-cooked 100% white meat patty is juicy. The first bite is win-the-jackpot tender, juicy, and lightly breaded with the slightest hint of buttermilk. That pressure-cooking shortcut works, and Chick-fil-A is the winner with a never-fail patty.
4. The Pickles
Pickles are a weak hand at best, but they provide that all-crucial tangy crunch. McDonald’s serves up regular dill pickles, which would most likely pack some zesty pizzazz. But there were only two slices, stacked in a messy way on top of one another, so I ended up playing a game of pickle Tetris to spread them out. Honestly, I enjoyed the sandwich more without them there wasn’t much they added and they didn’t mesh.
Chick-fil-A’s pickles are a story unto themselves. They’re thicker, sweeter, and exceedingly crisp, with that nice tang that bridges the chicken without upstaging it. There were more of them as well, which balanced out each bite. Chick-fil-A’s pickles are a reminder that even the smallest details count, and they overshadow McDonald’s handily.
5. The Sauces
Sauces are where you get to personalize a sandwich. McDonald’s has honey mustard for sweetness with a tang or barbecue for a smoky flavor. I appreciate that you can be creative, pairing the flavor to whatever you are hungry for. Each person has a favourite.
Chick-fil-A does offer honey mustard and ranch, but serve me their Chick-fil-A Sauce any time. It’s a little tangy, creamy, and sweet, but not too sweet to overpower the chicken. It pairs with the chicken beautifully. It’s one that’s almost a fast-food star. McDonald’s has options, but Chick-fil-A’s sauce is one that can make you a fan.
6. Texture
Texture can ruin or rescue a sandwich. McDonald’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich does not disappoint in its namesake by having a crispy outside and a soft inside, boosted by that lite fluffy potato bun. However, the chicken would sometimes tend towards dryness, breaking the balance.
Chick-fil-A gets it right with a juicy, tender patty and more robust breading for the crispy bite. The firmer, toasted bun can stand up to the juicy chicken and have a great bite each time. Chick-fil-A’s texture to me is also more considerate, offering that ultimate combination of crispy and juicy.
7. Taste Profile
Taste is where it gets personal. McDonald’s patty proudly flaunts that rich, seasoned crunch, and honey mustard sauce added that sweet zing that I totally adored. The pickles didn’t do it for me, but otherwise, the sandwich hit a comforting, homey note that left me pleasantly surprised.
Chick-fil-A’s patty absorbs a deeper, spicier taste from its spice and pickle brine, and the butter bun brings richness to it. The pickles add a sour, acidic taste that ties the whole thing together. It’s a richer taste that lingers well. If you are looking for something unique, Chick-fil-A’s is hard to top.
8. Size and Price
Let’s discuss realities: price and size. McDonald’s sandwich, which costs around $3.99, is slightly smaller in size (7.2 ounces). It’s inexpensive, but it wasn’t quite enough alone to satisfy me. My combo, with sides, cost me $6.90 not bad, but not great.
Chick-fil-A’s sandwich, beginning at $4.49, is larger (8.5 ounces) and more filling. I didn’t have to get a meal just to be full, and my meal was only $5.95, less than McDonald’s. The additional size and filling make Chick-fil-A appear to be a better value when the sandwich by itself is somewhat more costly.
9. Value
Value is not whether it’s expensive or not, it’s what you receive in exchange. McDonald’s is a great choice if you want to save and enjoy a crunchy bite. It’s cheap and good, but the miniature portion size means that you’ll need to fill in the gaps with sides in order to feel content.
Chick-fil-A sandwich, while more expensive, is a nicer experience. It is larger, better-tasting, and includes two complimentary sides, so the experience is more gratifying. For me, Chick-fil-A is bang for your buck, balancing quality and satisfaction.
10. Customer Experience and Convenience
A sandwich is merely half of its convenience and service count too. Chick-fil-A is ahead of the rest here with excellent customer service, clean dining spaces, and welcoming employees who greet you with a smile. They ace satisfaction surveys consistently.
McDonald’s has decent service but it’s not nearly as friendly as Chick-fil-A’s. McDonald’s excels at convenience with more than 14,000 American locations and speedy drive-thrus, it’s ubiquitous. Chick-fil-A’s 2,800 locations and Sunday closures are a pain. So, McDonald’s wears the convenience crown, but Chick-fil-A’s service lures you back.
The Verdict
After this sandwich showdown, the winner stands tall. McDonald’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich is a great budget option with solid flavor and unmatched convenience. But Chick-fil-A’s Original Chicken Sandwich takes the crown. Its juicy chicken, perfect pickles, killer sauce, and filling size make it a cut above. Even with a slightly higher price, the quality and experience are worth it. When I’m craving a chicken sandwich done right, Chick-fil-A is my pick.
