You may think it's easy to put together a chicken sandwich, but making a great one is a lot harder than it looks. Whether on a roll or in a sub, grilled or fried, hot or cold, a truly sensational chicken sandwich will always stand out from the crowd, and each of our selections delivers a bite that's next-level good. Read on to discover where to find the best chicken sandwich in your state.
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the most delicious chicken sandwich near you.
Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
With a number of locations in Alabama, Saw's BBQ is the place to go for perfectly cooked meat and poultry. Its deliciously tender smoked pulled chicken with white sauce and pickles makes for a stellar sandwich that locals just can't get enough of. Spice fans will also love the Sweet Heat Fried Chicken Sandwich with ranch, slaw, pickles, and 'a little kick.'
It’s the bread that makes the sub sandwiches from Krazy Moose Subs so special. It’s freshly baked each morning, beautifully fluffy, and has a crust that's just the right level of crunchy. As for fillings, customers are big fans of the chicken bacon ranch sub. Many say it's their go-to order thanks to the generous amount of chicken and the tasty sauce. The Buffalo chicken sub is a close second, if you're after something with a bit more heat.
The Buffalo chicken sandwich – a hot sub featuring chicken breast smothered in Buffalo sauce, ranch, and provolone – is a favorite with customers at Sidewinder Subs, who love the soft bread, warm chicken, and perfectly melted cheese. You can’t really go wrong with any options on the extensive menu, though, and the friendly staff often get a mention from happy diners.
A signature dish at Rogers burger joint Big Orange, the Hot 'N' Hot Chicken Sandwich is a firm favorite among customers. The hulking handheld features a spicy version of the joint's Southern fried chicken, plus pepper Jack cheese, mayo, butterleaf lettuce, and dill pickles. Fans say it always hits the spot, and the spice level is absolutely perfect. Can't make it to Rogers? There are also two Big Orange locations in Little Rock.
The fried chicken sandwich at The Bird comes either classic or spicy – but rest assured that whichever one you choose, you're guaranteed a deliciously satisfying bite. With celery, crunchy apple slaw, mayo, and pickles all packed inside a freshly baked bun, it's everything a mouth-watering chicken sandwich should be.
The menu at Howlin' Ray's might be small, but it's all you need if you're after a sensational chicken sandwich. The Sando features the joint's famous crispy fried chicken – and it's spiced to your liking, from no heat to seriously hot. It's then paired with slaw, comeback sauce, and pickles in a butter bun. Diners have been known to say it's the best sandwich they've ever tasted.
Sometimes you just can't beat a classic – and Birdcall's menu is filled with delicious options that play on favorite flavors. Loved by customers, the Southern is a crispy fried chicken sandwich served with pimento cheese spread and Southern slaw. It's praised for its generous size (you'll want to come hungry), and diners can't get enough of how juicy and crispy the chicken is.
Although the Craftbird Food Truck serves up a whole host of lip-smacking treats – from chicken tenders to truffle mac 'n' cheese bites – it's the Yardbird Chicken Sandwich that comes out on top. Featuring pickles and sriracha honey on top of a big piece of fried chicken in a sesame bun, the sandwich is loved by customers because of the perfectly cooked meat and tasty contrast of rich, sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors.
This fun Delaware spot is renowned for serving great food. The crispy Hot Honey Fried Chicken sandwich is something special, seasoned with an Old Bay and brown sugar mix, and served with house-fermented honey, pickles, red onion, and arugula. Diners say the towering sandwich is extremely tasty, and they love how well seasoned the meat is.
Want to sample one of Florida's most delicious chicken sandwiches? Head to chef Art Smith's Homecomin' at Disney Springs. Art's Hot Chicken Sandwich consists of crispy fried chicken tossed in Buffalo-style hot sauce, topped with tangy slaw, pickles, and icebox dressing. Customers love the sandwich, attentive service, and stunning views in equal measure.
You might be surprised to hear that Florida's best chicken sandwich comes from a Thai tearoom, but the overwhelmingly positive reviews for KrungThep Tea Time are hard to argue with. The Thai fusion restaurant is known for its Gra-Prow Chicken, which combines chicken, basil, onion, red pepper, and mozzarella with spicy basil mayo. Those looking for extra spice can upgrade the sandwich by adding fresh Thai chilies.
Victory Sandwich Bar serves a menu full of imaginative combos. Particularly favored by customers is the spicy Tea Bird: a chicken sandwich loaded with ghost pepper Jack cheese and sweet tea mayo. As well as the food, customers also adore the industrial chic decor – complete with hanging lights, wooden booths, and a leather stool–lined bar.
Regional produce and wholesome ingredients are a major draw at this healthy Honolulu joint. Sprout's sandwiches are piled high with leafy greens and Hawaiian vegetables (think Waialua sprouts and juicy local tomatoes). Nothing beats The No Comply, though – a tasty chicken salad sandwich with macadamia nut pesto, Maui butter lettuce, tomatoes, and roasted garlic mayo.
As its name would suggest, Republic Kitchen + Taphouse's twice-fried chicken sandwich features chicken that's double-fried for extra crispiness (which, unsurprisingly, people absolutely love). It's then served Southern or Korean style, depending on your preference. The former incorporates mustard, pickles, and slaw, while the latter is tossed in Korean honey butter and topped with kimchi, garlic aioli, and pickled jalapeños for a spicy kick.
For crispy, juicy, flavorful chicken and show-stopping sandwiches, head to Honey Butter Fried Chicken in Chicago. This diner serves a wide range of fried chicken dishes, but one of the main attractions is the Honey Butter fried chicken sandwich: a simple combination of fried chicken and generous quantities of honey butter, all packed into a brioche bun. People consistently praise its amazing flavor, saying it's "beyond delicious."
Indianapolis joint The Eagle pairs juicy yet crispy chicken breast with hot honey, coleslaw, spicy mayo, and house pickles to produce a sandwich that customers absolutely rave about. People love how incredibly crispy the chicken is, as well as the soft sub roll it's served in. A word of warning: the sandwich is pretty big, so make sure you come hungry.
The food is anything but scary at Zombie Burger + Drink Lab; satisfied customers rate the use of quality toppings and ingredients very highly. Besides the burgers, there are several chicken sandwiches on offer. Stuntman Mike's, a towering handheld stuffed with Nashville hot chicken, Cheddar, coleslaw, and pickles, is the top choice, but you really can't go wrong with any of them.
Famous for its beef brisket, burnt ends, and ribs, Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que is one of the best places in the whole country to enjoy truly incredible BBQ meat – and it also serves some delicious pulled chicken. Guests love the Chicken Z-Man, a sandwich piled high with the joint's superb smoked chicken, crispy onion rings, and BBQ mayo.
This much-loved sandwich shop in Lexington gets some impressive reviews – and rightly so. As well as serving delicious food, DV8 Kitchen operates as a second-chance employment opportunity for people in the early stages of substance abuse recovery. The menu features several mouth-watering options, but we say go for the customer favorite: the Orange Marmalade Chicken breakfast sandwich. To make it, perfectly fried chicken tenders are drenched in delicious honey butter and orange marmalade, then stuffed between homemade biscuits.
Simply served in a potato bun with shredded lettuce, dill pickles, and mayo, the fried chicken sandwich at Royals is loved by customers, who say it's flavorful and moist. You can choose your heat level – from none to mouth-burning 'gonzo' – plus it comes with your choice of sides, including coleslaw, broccoli, salad, and crinkle-cut fries.
Restaurant and bakery Willa Jean receives rave reviews for its food and service – but it's the delicious fried chicken sandwich that has customers coming back for more. To make it, juicy, perfectly seasoned fried chicken is paired with special WJ sauce and lettuce, then slotted into a brioche bun with potato chips. The result is a taste sensation!
Trolley car restaurant Palace Diner seats 15 people, serves just a handful of dishes for breakfast, and offers only four sandwiches at lunch. Not that anyone minds, because its fried chicken sandwich is simply superb. A fried chicken breast, which customers say is perfectly cooked and juicy, is paired with cabbage slaw and fresh jalapeños – and the sandwich is served with a wedge of iceberg lettuce dripping with dressing.
Somewhere between a fried chicken joint and a sandwich shop, BRD cooks up juicy, boneless fried chicken thighs, and serves them in a variety of sandwiches – from honey mustard and BBQ to the customer favorite, the Sweet Chili Brd (which comes with pickled carrots and chili mayo). Diners love the perfect balance of flavors; the fresh carrot cuts through the rich fried chicken in the most delicious way.
Cutty's – a specialty sandwich joint in Brookline – makes a big deal out of fried chicken sandwiches. In fact, once a month, Cutty's holds a 'super cluckin' Sunday' event, where fried chicken sandwiches are the only thing on the menu. Customers have to order online a week in advance if they want any chance of grabbing one of these famous handhelds. The OG Honey Mustard consists of crispy fried chicken, Cheddar, mayo, lettuce, and shaved onion, all nestled inside a buttered brioche bun. Heaven!
If you love a chicken sandwich, head for Ma Lou's Fried Chicken in Ypsilanti. There's a good selection on offer here, but two sandwiches stand out as customer favorites. The OG combines fried breast or thigh with Cheddar, smoked Gouda, slaw, and pickles – but if you prefer something spicier, try The Hot Chick. To make it, the joint's classic fried chicken is slathered in a Nashville hot baste, then slotted into a bun with bacon, lettuce, tomato, jalapeño ranch, and pepper Jack cheese.
There are three Revival restaurants in Minnesota, all of which serve an incredible array of Southern dishes – from shrimp 'n' grits to mac ‘n’ cheese. However, it's the fried chicken sandwich that's the star of the show. A simple yet delicious combination of fried chicken, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and pickle, it's utterly mouth-watering. Most people suggest having it Tennessee hot, rather than Southern style, for an extra kick.
The perfect place to stop for a quick meal, Rooster's offers up a whole host of chicken sandwiches – including a tasty Club – but it's the fried variety that customers really love. Served with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onions, on your choice of bun (white, wheat, or jalapeño Cheddar), it's incredibly satisfying. Guests say that the chicken is perfectly cooked, and the ingredients are always fresh.
Chicken Scratch specializes in – you guessed it! – chicken, so it's no wonder it's the place to go for the best chicken sandwich in Missouri. The crispy chicken sandwich, served with lettuce and dill pickles, is a clear winner with customers. However, the chicken salad sandwich and the BBQ chicken sandwich (featuring pulled chicken, BBQ sauce, pickles, and coleslaw) are highly recommended, too.
Local breweries are often great places to find tasty, filling food – and the superb Backslope Brewing in Columbia Falls is no exception. Diners are big fans of the joint's fried chicken sandwich, which they say tastes comforting and familiar. The chicken is brined in pickling liquid before being fried, then served with house slaw, aioli, and a spiced tomato glaze.
Dirty Birds does something incredible to its chicken. The meat is brined in leftover liquid from pickling green beans and cucumbers for two days, coated in batter, then fried until perfectly golden brown. The result? A crispy, salty exterior and moist, tender meat. The OMAHAWT sandwich combines fried chicken thighs with a burnt Cayenne pepper dip, pickles, and mayo, and it comes served on house-made ‘dirty white bread.’
Fried chicken is at the heart of the menu at The Crack Shack, which offers both fried chicken pieces and a range of seriously mouth-watering sandwiches. A firm favorite is the Firebird, featuring spicy fried thigh meat, cool ranch, crispy onions, and pickles in a potato roll. People love how flavorful the meat is, and the way the mild sauce and cold pickles help to balance out the heat.
This family-run burger bar gets rave reviews for its gourmet burgers – especially the Carolina Chicken. It's made by loading fried chicken, house-made BBQ sauce, coleslaw, and mac 'n' cheese into a brioche bun, and it's one for those who are seriously craving a comfort-food hit. Don't miss the amazing menu of adult milkshakes while you're here.
Diners at The House of Hot Chicken absolutely love the joint's satisfying chicken sando: a huge hunk of crispy chicken breast (spiced to your liking), pickles, coleslaw, and SOSauce served in a brioche bun. Take it easy with mild, or go all out with the 'roof's on fire' extra-hot option. Looking for something a little less hefty? The menu also features chicken wraps and tacos.
Farm-to-table gastropub Rowley Farmhouse Ales serves award-winning drinks and a menu of classic dishes with a New Mexican twist. The chicken biscuit sandwich is loved by customers, who say it's packed full of flavor. It features a fried chicken breast, horseradish cream, and house-made pickles – and it comes served on a white Cheddar biscuit with a choice of fries, onion rings, or salad.
In a state with endless choices, it’s not easy standing out – but Sweet Chick has gained a reputation for serving impeccable fried chicken. With five locations in New York City, this mini-chain is consistently rated highly for its juicy yet crispy chicken. Customers particularly love it stuffed inside the OG Sandwich with herbed mayo and butter pickles.
Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack is all about Nashville-style hot chicken and Southern soul food. Made to classic, all-American recipes using local ingredients, the chicken comes in a variety of flavors, from mild honey to extra hot. A customer favorite is the Rocky's Way Chicken Sandwich, which sees toasted white bread filled with chicken tenders, cheese, lettuce, and mayo. Customers say if you're craving a fried chicken sandwich, there's no place better than Rocky's.
Housed in an old tow truck station, Brew Bird in Fargo focuses on all things fried chicken. The highly rated chicken sandwiches, described by customers as 'outrageously delicious,' come with a variety of toppings – but the Buff Bird has proven to be a local favorite. To make it, crispy chicken breast is dipped in Buffalo sauce, then served in a bun with bacon, tomato, slaw, and blue cheese ranch vinaigrette.
If you're ready to face a pretty spicy sandwich, head to Sauce the City in Cleveland. The restaurant serves a range of chicken sandwiches at various heat levels, but the Cleveland Hot Chicken Sandwich is the one that customers love the most. The fried chicken is tossed in the joint's signature Cleveland Hot Sauce, topped with kale slaw and cooling sauce, then sprinkled with special Cleveland Hot Seasoning. Rated a seven out of 10 in terms of spice (there are hotter options if you're feeling brave), it really packs a punch.
Nashbird – which has five locations in and around Oklahoma City – is beloved by locals for its tender and juicy chicken, which is perfectly crispy on the outside. The signature offering here is the Nashvillain: a fried boneless chicken breast, mac 'n' cheese, bacon, onion rings, and ranch dressing in a brioche bun. However, customers also love the Hot! Chicken Sandwich, which comes with slaw, pickles, and lemon mayo.
Be sure to arrive hungry if you’re planning a visit to Basilisk, a much-loved fried chicken shop in Portland. That way, you'll be able to handle the signature fried chicken sandwich, which comes stacked with house-pickled cucumbers and cabbage slaw. Guests say the chicken is perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside – and they love the sandwich's generous size.
Love & Honey Fried Chicken's Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich is simply a delight. To make it, a buttermilk-fried chicken breast is drenched in hot chili oil, then piled high with buttermilk ranch slaw, sweet pickles, and buttermilk ranch dressing. Customers say the sandwich is incredibly flavorful, and that the chicken is crispy and moist.
Chomp's trademark is comfort food – and it has two locations (one in Providence, and one in Warren). There are six chicken sandwiches on the menu, but the star attraction is the BBQ Hot Honey Fried Chicken, which sees tender Southern fried chicken dipped in BBQ hot honey, then served in a bun with jalapeño cream cheese, Alabama white BBQ sauce, and house pickles. Customers say it's juicy, flavorful, and unique.
Boxcar Betty's three South Carolina locations (plus two in Chicago, one in Atlanta, and one in Charlotte) serve up super-crispy and tasty chicken in an array of delectable sandwiches that are sure to suit everyone's tastes. The much-loved signature Boxcar sandwich comes topped with pimiento cheese, peach slaw, house pickles, and spicy mayo. If you prefer, you can swap the fried chicken for grilled.
Bread & Circus Sandwich Kitchen crafts local ingredients into the most incredible sandwiches. A firm customer favorite is the Vietnamese fried chicken sandwich: a buttermilk-marinated fried chicken thigh, bánh mì pickles, cilantro aioli, and nước chấm (Vietnamese dipping sauce) in a toasted brioche bun.
There are locations in several other states, but Nashville's Hattie B's is the flagship store – and it's one of the best places to grab a chicken sandwich in the area. You can choose your heat level, from mild Southern style to 'shut the cluck up' (translation: extremely hot), but whatever your preference, this is one chicken sandwich that's guaranteed to deliver on flavor and texture.
Prince's Hot Chicken is a Nashville must-visit. With a history stretching back to the Great Depression era, it's consistently named among the country's most important restaurants – and its fried chicken is loved by customers. Try it in the joint's signature fried chicken sandwich, The André, which comes piled high with boneless breast, slaw, and pickles (plus either Kickin' Ranch or Sweet Heat sauce).
Mexican food truck Las Abuelas specializes in ridiculously tasty chicken sandwiches. One of its most popular offerings is the De Lujo: plump and juicy chicken breast, avocado, cotija cheese, tangy slaw, chipotle mayo, and roasted serrano crema, all served on a toasted Martin's roll. The sweet potato fries and tater tots are highly recommended by customers, too.
Arrive hungry at Austin spot Tumble 22 – this joint knows how to feed its diners well! Customers can't get enough of The O.G., a sandwich piled high with fried chicken breast, coleslaw, pickles, and Duke's Mayo. There are also exciting monthly sandwich specials available, like the Hot Hawaiian O.G.: a bun stuffed with a boneless chicken thigh, caramelized pineapple, jalapeños, slaw, and sriracha aioli.
Bringing a taste of Nashville-style hot chicken to Utah, Salt Lake City's Pretty Bird is something of a local legend. To make its fried chicken sandwiches, juicy, flavorful fried chicken thighs are paired with slaw and pickles, topped with a creamy buttermilk-based sauce, then served in a buttered bun. Customers can't get enough of them.
A fun take on a modern American restaurant, Worthy Kitchen has plenty to whet your appetite. Customers love how thick and juicy the buttermilk fried chicken is in the OG Chicken Sandwich, which comes with pickles and buttermilk ranch. It can be served tossed in Buffalo or BBQ sauce – but whichever way you have it, it's guaranteed to taste delicious.
You could argue that this one isn't technically a sandwich, but we're willing to let it slide – the Handsome Biscuit's Stevie is worth bending the rules for. To make it, fried chicken is topped with pickles, wholegrain mustard, and honey; however, it's served between house-made biscuits instead of stuffed into a roll. You can opt for a bun instead, but why bother when it tastes this good?
Ma'ono, run by James Beard Award–winner and Hawaii native Mark Fuller, has four locations in Seattle – and hordes of customers come here to try the brined, buttermilk-soaked, twice-fried chicken sandwich. The chicken is spiced to your preference, from 'naked' to generously seasoned (with Carolina reaper and ghost peppers), then served on a Hawaiian bun with daikon pickles, Kewpie mayo, and iceberg lettuce.
Morgantown locals have been lucky enough to enjoy this superb fried chicken spot for over a decade. Dirty Bird's menu features a selection of specialty sandwiches, plus an array of fried chicken dishes. Customers love the Vera Cruz sandwich, which comes with fried chicken breast, pepper Jack cheese, jalapeños, sliced avocado, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and cilantro-lime mayo.
The Cluckery is known for its perfectly crispy chicken tenders, which are available to order in a variety of forms. There are three chicken sandwiches on the menu, but the Cluckery Crafted Chicken Sandwich – featuring tenders, pickles, and house sauce – is a clear winner among customers. You can add mac 'n' cheese to your sandwich, should the urge strike (and, frankly, why wouldn't it?).
Parked outside a gourmet grocery shop with the same name, Bodega food truck serves some of the best fried chicken sandwiches you'll ever eat. The triple-fried chicken sandwich gets a big thumbs up from diners, who adore both the tender, moist chicken and the spicy Mexican sauce that goes with it. The views of the stunning Teton mountains aren't bad, either!
Now take a look at the best burger and fries joint in every state
Last updated by Luke Paton.