# Current Era Chicken Sandwiches **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [May 19, 2022, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-era-chicken-sandwiches/964662 "2022-05-19T05:20:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-era-chicken-sandwiches/964662/41 "2022-05-20T17:17:10Z")
I’ve heard that dribbling some liquid into the dry breading causes clumping that results in a thick, corn-flakey coating. I feel like I’ve tried this but clearly didn’t record my results adequately, suggesting the experiment needs to be repeated For science. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-era-chicken-sandwiches/964662/42 "2022-05-20T19:18:47Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > From what I have read, In N Out does not use pickle juice in their brine, despite clone recipes claiming/guessing it does. I tend to agree with the folks who say there is no pickle juice in it. I don’t taste pickle juice in a plain Chick Fil A breast, nor have I noticed it in any other fast food chicken. (It’s possible they may have dill, but it hasn’t stuck out to me. KFC’s sandwich, for instance, does not taste at all of dill/pickle to me.) I’m not certain if it’s a pickle flavor, or a vinegar flavor, but a lot of the “new” chicken sandwiches feature it, and it’s a turn-off for me. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-era-chicken-sandwiches/964662/43 "2022-05-20T19:20:36Z")
Huh. I must just not be sensitive to the flavor. Popeyes, KFC, BK, I don’t taste it in the chicken patty. I’ll try concentrating more on the flavor next time I have one of those. Vinegar or another acid is standard in marinades, though. The copycat recipes seem to all use buttermilk and a handful of the usual spices for the marinade. I can’t find anything definitive though. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-era-chicken-sandwiches/964662/44 "2022-05-20T22:58:20Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > I thought this was going to be about the gigantic piece of chicken not fitting on the bun. Personally, I start eating the side of the sandwich where the chicken is _not_ hanging over. By the time I finish all the bun covered part, I’m usually full and don’t eat the rest of the (bunless) chicken. So, you eat away the middle, and leave the edge hanging in mid air? I like the chicken more than the bun, and if chicken hangs out, I’ll start by eating that. I may never finish the bun. Sometimes, if I’m not too hungry, I’ll deconstruct a sandwich and just eat the filling and discard the bun. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-era-chicken-sandwiches/964662/45 "2022-05-21T00:11:48Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > I thought this was going to be about the gigantic piece of chicken not fitting on the bun. Personally, I start eating the side of the sandwich where the chicken is _not_ hanging over. By the time I finish all the bun covered part, I’m usually full and don’t eat the rest of the (bunless) chicken. Finally! Another sensible person who embraces the fact that bread is a crucial part of a sandwich. I don’t understand folks who “prefer the parts without bread”. Makes no sense. If you don’t want bread, don’t order a sandwich. And whatever you do, don’t call it a “sammich” because that’s just sickens people and turns them off from “sandwiches” until they can flush the idiot word from their brains. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-era-chicken-sandwiches/964662/46 "2022-05-21T03:28:32Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > If you don’t want bread, don’t order a sandwich. What if I’m mainly after a convenient non-messy handling surface? That was the original Earl of Sandwich’s motivation (although it is alleged he ate the bread as well). ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-era-chicken-sandwiches/964662/47 "2022-05-21T03:48:45Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > And whatever you do, don’t call it a “sammich” because that’s just sickens people and turns them off from “sandwiches” until they can flush the idiot word from their brains. It’s my language, I’ll do what I want with it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-era-chicken-sandwiches/964662/48 "2022-05-21T04:18:28Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > It’s in how the chicken is prepared prior to putting it in the frying pan. We don’t use milk or complex batters of any sort — just rinse the pieces then roll them in salted & peppered flour. It makes a soft coat not a thick crunchy shell. Deep fat fry until rich golden brown. Pretty much how I make it, also learned in Georgia (but in the Atlanta suburbs): > [@The "JohnT's First Paid Catering Gig" thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-johnts-first-paid-catering-gig-thread/958958/36): > > Remember when I said it was about heat management? Had this happen when I put in my first three thighs: [[Imgur] ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/68782016@N08/51865269165/) The oil cooled down (because of the chicken) and the way I placed my pieces meant the oil couldn’t fully circulate - that’s why the left side is bubbling TOO nicely and the right side is… not. Just reposition the pieces so the oil can circulate and you’ll be good. But look out for this and don’t let it sit there for minutes on end - that way lies g… ---
**Author:** ![sweepkick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/87869e/32.png) [@sweepkick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweepkick)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-era-chicken-sandwiches/964662/49 "2022-05-21T04:56:19Z")
When they go back to making chicken sandwiches with dark meat… I’ll be back in the game. Same with nuggets. This idiotic love affair with white meat that we’ve been suffering with for nigh 20 years now is damned stupid. All IMHO of course. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-era-chicken-sandwiches/964662/50 "2022-05-21T05:34:29Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > Finally! Another sensible person who embraces the fact that bread is a crucial part of a sandwich. Bread is an essential part of a sandwich. But… I save any overhanging meat for last, because meat \> bread. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-era-chicken-sandwiches/964662/51 "2022-05-21T11:55:32Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Burger King has been making chicken breast sandwiches forever. Back when I was eating fast food, I eschewed them. I preferred their [Original Chicken Sandwich](https://www.bk.com/menu/picker-picker_5531) with the processed fillet. Remember when they’d offer the Italian one, with marinara and cheese? Mmmboy! AIUI Chick fil A uses powdered sugar in their breading, which offsets the sourness of the pickle. I don’t ordinarily like pickles at all but on this they work. I can’t find it but there was a program called “Junk Food Flip” where Bobby Deen (Paula’s son) and Nikki Dinki take their food truck and challenge locals’ signature dishes. They try to make something that tastes just as good without being as unhealthy. I can’t remember in which episode Bobby busted out cornflakes as a way to keep calories down. They aren’t exactly low-cal, but compared to the competition… [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/mPLe3v2HkA0/hqdefault.jpg "Junk Food Flip Promo Video - Premiering June 2nd on Cooking Channel") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPLe3v2HkA0) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-era-chicken-sandwiches/964662/52 "2022-05-21T13:41:24Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > Remember when they’d offer the Italian one, with marinara and cheese? Mmmboy! I had one once or twice. But the Original was the best. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-era-chicken-sandwiches/964662/53 "2022-05-21T17:23:59Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > Remember when they’d offer the Italian one, with marinara and cheese? Mmmboy! Sounds like chicken Parmesan which I always felt was overrated. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-era-chicken-sandwiches/964662/54 "2022-05-21T21:14:07Z")
> [@sweepkick](#): > > When they go back to making chicken sandwiches with dark meat… I’ll be back in the game. Same with nuggets. Oh hell yeah. I make them at home (simple milk and egg with some hot sauce dip, single seasoned flour dredge) with boneless skinless thighs. Pure heaven. (Well, I also Nashville them up with a fat and heavy cayenne pepper and Slap Ya Mama baste before serving.) ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-era-chicken-sandwiches/964662/55 "2022-05-21T21:38:48Z")
So long as it’s not over-cooked, I think chicken breast meat is quite tasty. Thighs can be tasty, too, and are a little harder to over-cook. Both make perfectly fine sandwiches. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2022, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-era-chicken-sandwiches/964662/56 "2022-05-23T04:31:42Z")
I like Chik-fil-A spicy chicken sandwiches. However, Checkers (AKA Rally’s) has its spicy chicken sandwich at two for $4. I take them home, add a bit of sriracha, nuke them for thirty seconds, and they’re pretty good. They aren’t quite as good as the Chik-fil-A sandwich, but I get two for less than the cost of one of those! ---
**Author:** ![Bootb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2022, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-era-chicken-sandwiches/964662/57 "2022-05-23T04:52:12Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > It’s my language, I’ll do what I want with it. Sorry, but I don’t believe that Her Majesty the Queen is posting on a random message board. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2022, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-era-chicken-sandwiches/964662/58 "2022-05-23T05:05:24Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > FWIW I like CfA but my personal award for best chicken sandwich of this style goes to Popeye’s; many Popeye’s restaurants around here are poorly run and have long lines and frequently mess your order up, so I almost never go there, but when I do and get the chicken sandwich, it is the “best in class.” Yeah, when it’s done right, Popeye’s version is the best. The problem is it’s horribly inconsistent around here. Popeye’s have to be among the worst run fast-food restaurants. Chick-Fil-A always has great service, a clean restaurant, and consistent product. I know they have their issues, but they employ my friend’s special needs son – and I usually find special needs people working at their restaurants – so, for me, that offsets any issues I may have with them. They are well-run, friendly, and churn out good food. Popeyes, at least around here, has indifferent to surly staff, messy dining areas, and are all over the place in quality. When they’re on, that sandwich is nirvana. When they’re not, it’s still not terrible, but disappointing when you know how it’s supposed to be. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2022, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-era-chicken-sandwiches/964662/59 "2022-05-23T14:54:36Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > > [@TRC4941](#): > > > > I’m fine with the coating but I absolutely HATE that they’re all soaking their chicken in pickle juice like Chick-fil-A. > > From what I have read, In N Out does not use pickle juice in their brine, despite clone recipes claiming/guessing it does. I tend to agree with the folks who say there is no pickle juice in it. I don’t taste pickle juice in a plain Chick Fil A breast, nor have I noticed it in any other fast food chicken. (It’s possible they may have dill, but it hasn’t stuck out to me. KFC’s sandwich, for instance, does not taste at all of dill/pickle to me.) > > [Sorry, fans, Chick-fil-A doesn’t really use pickle juice to make its chicken](https://www.austin360.com/story/lifestyle/food/2019/07/22/sorry-fans-chick-fil-a-doesnt-really-use-pickle-juice-to-make-its-chicken/984698007/) I order my chicken sandwiches plain and add cheese so there are no pickles on my sandwich at all. If they don’t use pickle juice, then why do I taste pickles? Maybe it’s dill in the batter. Whatever it is, I don’t like it. Someone up-thread mentioned that I was late to the game and that McDonald’s homestyle chicken sandwich has had the pickle taste for years. I’m not talking about the homestyle sandwich. I tried that one when it first came out and hated it. They now have a crispy chicken sandwich that is “pickle-flavored”. I tried it a few months ago because it looked delicious (like Wendy’s), but I was very disappointed when I immediately tasted dill. YUCK The best fast-food chicken sandwiches are Wendy’s spicy (the plain is good too) and BK’s old timey rectangle sandwiches. I’ve never tried the KFC sandwich. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2022, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-era-chicken-sandwiches/964662/60 "2022-05-23T15:03:11Z")
> [@TRC4941](#): > > I order my chicken sandwiches plain and add cheese so there are no pickles on my sandwich at all. If they don’t use pickle juice, then why do I taste pickles? There’s no pickle juice in their ingredients, from their website: > Chicken (boneless skinless chicken breast filet, seasoning [salt, monosodium glutamate, sugar, spices, paprika], enriched bleached wheat flour [with malted barley flour, niacin, iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid], sugar, salt, monosodium glutamate, nonfat milk, leavening [baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate], spice, soybean oil, color [paprika], water, nonfat milk, egg, fully refined peanut oil, with Dimethylpolysiloxane, an anti-foam agent added) It’s possible there is dill in the “spices” part. Perhaps that is what you’re tasting. Or it could be the breading, like you said. My kids hate pickles and dill, but they like Chick-Fil-A. I’m assuming you probably are tasting dill and you are extra-sensitive to that flavor. Like I said, I taste no dill whatsoever in the breast itself, but I grew up with dill being everywhere in my food, so my tastes are likely blunted to that flavor. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-era-chicken-sandwiches/964662.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-era-chicken-sandwiches/964662.md?page=4)