Ditch Chick-Fil-A And Wendy's: This Chain's Chicken Sandwiches Deliver 3X The Crunch

There are several factors that make a fried chicken sandwich perfect, but one matters a bit more than the rest: The sound it makes when your teeth sink into it. The level of crunch is what separates the good from the great, and the crispy chicken sandwich from Culver's definitely delivers on that front.

We recently ranked 13 major fast food chicken sandwiches based on crunch, and the Culver's sandwich ranked third, ahead of Chick-fil-A and Wendy's. Culver's, which recently revamped its chicken sandwich, uses a three-step process, battering and breading the chicken breast twice before frying it. The chain is also known to cook food fresh, which worked in this sandwich's favor. "I expected the fried chicken formula to greatly benefit from this cooked-to-order method," our expert observed, and they were not disappointed. "The breading was on the heavier side, but the freshness of the sandwich kept it from feeling overly dense or pebbly. The flavor was also excellent, putting the milder-tasting KFC sandwich to shame." 

The sandwich has mixed reviews online. One fan on Reddit loved it for its simplicity. "I am straight up obsessed with Culver's reworked chicken sandwich. It is absolutely delicious, substantial, and abides by classic chicken sandwich theory. The margarita pizza of the chicken sandwich world." Other reviews were less flattering. "It's mediocre. If you don't like tomato and pickles, you're left with lettuce, chicken and bun. That's it," they posted.

Culver's serves its crispy chicken sandwich in a lightly toasted brioche bun with lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, and dill pickles. The breading is southern-style, with hints of onion, garlic, and black pepper. And, if more proof was needed that the fast food chain takes the crunch factor seriously, Culver's allows customers to ask for several of its items served extra crispy, from the fries to the chicken tenders. When you do this, the staff will leave the food in the fryer for a little longer. We consider this to be one of the top ordering tips to get the best chicken sandwich at Culver's.

There are a few other ways to upgrade your crispy chicken sandwich, including swapping out the mayo for ketchup and mustard, or one of Culver's other signature condiments, like the honey mustard or Boom Boom sauce. Grilled onions are a popular addition as well, as they add a deep, caramelized sweetness to the sandwich.

If you're the kind of person who likes cheese with their fried chicken sandwich, you're going to love this extra-cheesy trick to take your chicken sandwich to the next level. Add a slice of American, Cheddar, or Swiss cheese and then ask for a side of cheesy dipping sauce and pour that over your sandwich for good measure.