# What makes a chicken sandwich “next level”? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [May 22, 2021, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-chicken-sandwich-next-level/942668 "2021-05-22T03:08:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2021, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-chicken-sandwich-next-level/942668/1 "2021-05-22T03:08:43Z")
Chick Fil A is not really a thing in most of Canada so the “chicken sandwich wars” which amused the small minds of American bloggers in 2017 and 2019 were not a thing here. Wendy’s puts out a sandwich with tasty chicken and bland toppings, which could be so much better - if they added bacon, spicy pickles, a habanero or ghost pepper sauce, some onions, but what else?.. McDonald’s has a mediocre sandwich but used spicy sauces for a limited time here - wasn’t really tempted. Harvey’s has a great buffalo chicken sandwich and the best choice of toppings, so is the best I’ve had in Canada. In fairness, not tried Popeye’s or the new Burger King Nashville one. That aside, **what toppings in your chicken sandwich - homemade or restaurant grade - elevate your sandwich to new heights?** ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2021, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-chicken-sandwich-next-level/942668/2 "2021-05-22T04:08:57Z")
Bacon. And bacon. And more bacon. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2021, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-chicken-sandwich-next-level/942668/3 "2021-05-22T04:54:58Z")
Cilantro and cumin, powdered mustard, lemon juice, raw shallots, radicchio, pickled cubano peppers. Sear the chicken to the point it has crumbly black carbonated grill stripes before slicing it. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2021, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-chicken-sandwich-next-level/942668/4 "2021-05-22T05:08:15Z")
The fried chicken/spicy slaw trend made me into a big convert. [Something like this](https://dx6iy6yk2x0g.cloudfront.net/images/426/9df/4269dfdf749c848df3060dde6dd91963198838a2-x425.jpg?compressionQuality=80&id=5396293894c8399006000005&op=scale&version=1) is about as good as sandwiches get to my taste. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2021, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-chicken-sandwich-next-level/942668/5 "2021-05-22T05:21:15Z")
For me, it’s all about the flavor (and heat) of the chicken. A good quality bread/roll (chiabatta, challah, or baguette), a few slicked onions (pickled or otherwise) as an accent, and that’s it. My personal favorite are joints that serve Nashville-style. > **[This Nashville Hot Chicken Is For Spice Lovers Only](https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a20140157/nashville-hot-chicken-recipe/)** > > Can you handle the heat? Which is basically fried chicken (in a sandwich, it would probably be boneless, skinless breast meat), marinated, fried, and then quickly brushed with a searing hot (spice-wise) oil. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2021, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-chicken-sandwich-next-level/942668/6 "2021-05-22T06:37:40Z")
1. Made of dark meat, not flavorless white meat 2. Traditional light fried chicken coating 3. Country gravy topping 4. Kaiser roll. It could have a soft crust. 5. Side of fried potato wedges 6. Side of bacon 7. Side of corn on the cob, or off ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2021, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-chicken-sandwich-next-level/942668/7 "2021-05-22T10:25:26Z")
Portuguese roll, peri-peri prego sauce, caramelized onion and avo. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2021, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-chicken-sandwich-next-level/942668/8 "2021-05-22T12:16:36Z")
Substitute quail for chicken, and you’ve got it made. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2021, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-chicken-sandwich-next-level/942668/9 "2021-05-22T14:45:10Z")
I prefer a Chicken Parmesan sandwich myself—a piece of chicken breast breaded with breadcrunbs and parmesan cheese served on a bun with a rich tomato sauce and topped with a slice of melted mozarella cheese. Burger King had a decent version as The Italian Chicken Sandwich a few years ago. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2021, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-chicken-sandwich-next-level/942668/10 "2021-05-22T14:47:04Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Bacon. And bacon. And more bacon. And bacon. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2021, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-chicken-sandwich-next-level/942668/11 "2021-05-22T14:48:15Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Substitute quail for chicken, and you’ve got it made. Then substitute beef for the quail. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2021, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-chicken-sandwich-next-level/942668/12 "2021-05-22T14:49:40Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Then substitute beef for the quail. ONLY if it’s beef tongue. Then dress it with quail tongue. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2021, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-chicken-sandwich-next-level/942668/13 "2021-05-22T14:53:33Z")
From the tip of the beef tongue. Don’t care what part of the quail tongue, they don’t taste any different than squab tongue. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2021, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-chicken-sandwich-next-level/942668/14 "2021-05-22T14:54:19Z")
Chicken salad sandwich. Not fond of fried/breaded hunks of chicken on (more) bread. Add little tarragon mayo, sliced red grapes and slivered almonds or cashews. Good quality sandwich 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 22, 2021, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-chicken-sandwich-next-level/942668/15 "2021-05-22T15:03:07Z")
> [@dorvann](#): > > Burger King had a decent version as The Italian Chicken Sandwich a few years ago. The original BK chicken? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/p5gX0S3r5uY/maxresdefault.jpg "Burger King Original Chicken Sandwich Review - CarBS") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5gX0S3r5uY) Simple but killer. FTR I’ve heard that Chick Fil A uses powdered sugar in their breading. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2021, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-chicken-sandwich-next-level/942668/16 "2021-05-22T15:06:12Z")
> [@dorvann](#): > > Italian Chicken Sandwich Here’s a copycat recipe of the sandwich I was talking about: > **[Burger King's Classic Italian Chicken Sandwich (Copycat) Recipe - Recipes.net](https://recipes.net/main-dish/sandwich/copycat-burger-kings-classic-italian-chicken-sandwich-recipe/)** > > No more drive-thrus with this Burger King's classic Italian chicken sandwich recipe. Crispy chicken with a savory marinara and topped with stringy mozzarella. ---
**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 22, 2021, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-chicken-sandwich-next-level/942668/17 "2021-05-22T15:24:05Z")
> [@dorvann](#): > > Here’s a copycat recipe of the sandwich I was talking about: Wow, just salt and pepper for seasoning. It looks way easy…maybe air fry it. My mouth waters just thinking of those things. Talk about slap yo mama! If any of you haven’t seen this, I recommend it. It’s included with Amazon Prime. The original Supersize Me was about eating all the McD’s and tracking health changes to his body. This has to do with the poultry industry, how they squeeze the little farmer, how advertisers make you think you’re eating healthier than you really are, etc. He opens a restaurant with a chicken sandwich that’s supposed to be great. At the end people eat it and he tells them how bad it is for them. Tidbit: Spurlock raises chickens and one morning, finds some have died. He learns that if they aren’t dying (of heart attacks), that means he isn’t feeding them enough. Trailer: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/oAjsBZEOnVw/maxresdefault.jpg "SUPER SIZE ME 2 Official Trailer (2019) Holy Chicken") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAjsBZEOnVw) > **[Watch Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken! | Prime Video](https://www.amazon.com/Super-Size-Me-Holy-Chicken/dp/B07X39WV38)** > > Muckraking filmmaker Morgan Spurlock reignites his battle with the food industry - this time with Big Chicken - as he opens his own fast food restaurant. IIRC Spurlock got tagged in the me metoo movement, which is why you may not have heard of this. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2021, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-chicken-sandwich-next-level/942668/18 "2021-05-22T16:49:58Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Bacon. And bacon. And more bacon. And hold the chicken. ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2021, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-chicken-sandwich-next-level/942668/19 "2021-05-22T17:07:25Z")
Club sandwich is hard to beat, if you like those ingredients. I have kind of a weird obsession with them: it’s gotta be triple-decker, toasted crustless white bread, cut diagonally into four triangles and speared with toothpicks. Sounds childish, but I don’t care. I think it’s about the only thing I’m fussy about like that. Having said that, I’m thinking something could be done with butter and sage and other ingredients to make a pretty good chicken sandwich. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2021, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-chicken-sandwich-next-level/942668/20 "2021-05-22T18:16:43Z")
Dill relish has really become a player in my kitchen in the last few years. A cheap burger bun, [Aldi red bag chicken fillet](https://www.aldi.us/en/products/frozen-foods/frozen-meat-poultry-seafood/detail/ps/p/kirkwood-breaded-chicken-fillets/), a smear each of mayo and dill relish makes a fine sandwich. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-chicken-sandwich-next-level/942668.md?page=2)