Change Up A Basic KFC Chicken Sandwich By Ordering It French-Style

KFC's menu can look and taste different depending on where you travel, and customers of the brand have noted the differences. France alone has over 400 KFC locations, and its take on a basic KFC sandwich isn't quite like what Americans pick up in stores. But that doesn't mean you can't still give an American KFC chicken sandwich a French-style twist.

In France, the chain's signature chicken sandwich is called the Colonel Original. It places an original recipe chicken filet between sesame seed buns and layers the build with cheddar, lettuce, burger sauce, and KFC's original sauce. In comparison, KFC's Chicken Sandwich has Americans taking home an extra crispy chicken breast that is packed into a toasted brioche bun. The meat is topped simply with pickles and the Colonel's real mayo – you won't find cheese or lettuce inside this sammie served stateside. While the French version more closely resembles what a fast food cheeseburger might look like (sans beef and made with fried chicken), the American chicken sandwich delivers a simpler, more pickle-centric eating experience.

Though you can't order the Colonel Original in the United States, you can attempt to customize a chicken sandwich to taste similar without leaving the country. Order the standard KFC Chicken Sandwich, but ask for no pickles. Add cheddar and lettuce — since these aren't standard add-ons when using KFC's app or ordering online, you may need to head into a restaurant to request your French-inspired meal in person. 

Depending on KFC's special promotions and regional availability of ingredients, the swaps you need to turn your American chicken sandwich into a French-inspired meal may or may not be in stock. Most locations won't carry sesame-topped buns (excluding for specialty items), but you will need to ask staff directly about this. 

To upgrade the mayo included in a KFC Chicken Sandwich, add a drizzle of KFC's Original Honey BBQ sauce  to compensate for the burger sauce used in the French version, or order a side of KFC sauce (per the Colonel Original) to add to your meal.

If your requests fall short, you can borrow inspiration from France's Colonel Original and make your own chicken sandwich at home with elevated store-bought burger buns, lettuce, cheese, and multiple sauces. Though these creative moves might not yield a perfect one-for-one imitation, the switch can bring new flavors to a classic favorite, all without having to book a ticket overseas. The only major drawback you may encounter is a curious look from your local KFC team.