Ask any one of Chick-fil-a’s cult-like followers and they would tell you that no chicken sandwich even comes close to Chick-fil-a’s. Up until about a year ago, I certainly would have backed that claim. However, in August of 2019, Popeyes took the world by storm and released a chicken sandwich of their own. And when I say “by storm,” I mean “by storm!” If you remember, there were riots over this sandwich- it was that popular. Now, I have not tasted Popeyes sandwich myself, but I’ve heard rumbles that it may have dethroned Chick-fil- a. Impossible! So, to settle this debate once and for all, I figured there was just one thing left to do: taste test!
I decided that I would try Chick-fil-a and Pepeye’s spicy chicken sandwich because (i) it has generated greater buzz than the original and (ii) who doesn’t love spicy? Since I possessed an obvious bias in favor of Chick-fil-a, I thought it was only fair to perform a blind taste test. So, with all that out of the way, which spicy chicken sandwich, Popeyes or Chick-fil-a, reigns supreme?
Chick-fil-a Sandwich
At first bite, this sandwich melts in your mouth. The buttered buns are toasted to perfection. The chicken is juicy, tender, and oh so crunchy; it is seasoned very well and possesses just the right amount of heat. The melted slice of pepper jack (exclusively on the Deluxe Spicy Chicken Sandwich) adds a smooth texture and another level of spice. The pickles also provide a nice acidity and crunch. I would’ve liked for the sandwich to include a sauce as a compliment to the spiciness of the sandwich, but, overall, the only real complaint I have is that it is not big enough! Seriously, I could have eaten two of these and still wouldn't have been fully satisfied.
Popeyes Spicy chicken Sandwich
The brioche bun is soft and doughy. The pickles are thinner than Chick-fil-a’s. The spicy mayonnaise is smoothe, rich, and tangy. The real star of the show though is the chicken breast. Not only is it juicy and tender, unlike Chick-fil-a’s, it is also fairly meaty. This sandwich therefore fills you up really good. Though it is flaky and crispy, it is a little too and is practically identical to the coating you'd find on their fried chicken and chicken tenders. As a result, other than a perfectly balanced sandwich, this tastes more like a delicious slab of fried chicken placed on a roll. Overall though, still amazing work by Popeyes.
The Verdict
First, I want to acknowledge that both sandwiches were excellent. With that said, there can be just one winner. And what I’ve learned is this: though Popeyes owns the better chicken, Chick-fil-a claims the superior sandwich.
Winner: Chick-fil-a
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