Bojangles' Chicken Sandwich Reigns Supreme in Taste Test

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Food writer Erin McDowell conducted a taste test of chicken sandwiches from McDonald's, Popeyes, and Bojangles. While the McDonald's and Popeyes offerings were solid, Bojangles' chicken sandwich emerged as the clear winner, with its hand-breaded, extra-crispy fried chicken, flavorful marinade, and bright pickle slices creating a layered texture and taste profile that set it apart from the competition.

Why it matters

The chicken sandwich wars of the past few years have led to fierce competition among fast-food chains to offer the best fried chicken sandwich. This taste test provides insight into how the offerings from some of the major players stack up, helping consumers decide where to get their next chicken sandwich fix.

The details

McDowell found that the McDonald's McCrispy chicken sandwich, while juicy, lacked the distinct crunch she was looking for. The Popeyes chicken sandwich was delicious, with a crunchy, flaky chicken filet and tart pickle slices, but it didn't quite match the flavor of the Bojangles sandwich. The Bojangles chicken sandwich stood out for its hand-breaded, extra-crispy fried chicken that was infused with flavor from a signature marinade. The sandwich also featured a generous helping of mayonnaise and crunchy pickle slices that complemented the richness of the fried chicken.

• The McDonald's McCrispy chicken sandwich was released amid the 2021 chicken sandwich wars.
• Popeyes introduced its signature chicken sandwich in 2019, sparking the chicken sandwich wars.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Bojangles may look to capitalize on the positive review of its chicken sandwich by promoting it more heavily or potentially introducing new limited-time or seasonal variations.