Some Chicken Isn’t All It’s Cracked Up to Be
When it comes to perfect fast food chicken, you really don’t get any better than Chick-fil-A. Sure, they’ve had a few hot water blunders over the years, but people continue to line up around the block for that chicken sandwich. But like any fast food place, not every menu item is worth the cost, and some are downright appalling. We’re here to break down which ones to steer clear of and which ones made Chick-fil-A the giant they are today!
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1. Cool Wrap
Grilled chicken? At Chick-fil-A? It’s a no from us, friends. We have no idea why they even bothered to slap “cool” in the name—all you get is grilled chicken, lettuce, and shredded cheese in a flaxseed wrap. If that sounds boring, that’s because it is. Do yourselves a favor and don’t make the same mistake we did; it’s not worth it!
2. Grilled Chicken Club
While we can appreciate healthier menu items, Chick-fil-A should probably stop trying with the grilled stuff. Clubs sound great on the surface, especially with a hearty dose of grilled chicken and bacon, but this lackluster choice was just a cheese slice in a bun. The chicken is also unforgivably dry.
3. Buddy Fruits® Apple Sauce
Honestly, we can get on board with apple sauce. It’s a delicious little treat that’s relatively healthy (depending on the brand) and yoinks us back to childhood. However, there’s no reason to order it from a chicken joint. Those prices in this economy? Just make it at home!
4. Grilled Nuggets
Yeah, we’re not done with grilled chicken yet. It’s another item that seemed wise on paper, but its poor execution and nonexistent flavor are a swing and a miss. With all that classic chicken calling your name, just treat yourself to the good stuff.
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5. Waffle Potato Chips
Hold on a minute—we’re not talking about waffle fries. Those are sacred. We’re talking about this gimmick that doesn’t capture the taste of its authentic brother. Why order a bag of knock-off waffle fries when you can quite literally order the real thing and get more bang for your buck? It’s a mystery to us, too!
6. Hash Brown Scramble Burrito
Breakfast burritos are hardly a healthy option, but if you’re going to grab one before work, at least get a good one. Chick-fil-A’s hash browns are tasty on their own, so it stands to reason that they’d do well in a burrito…but they don’t. Neither do the eggs, which are also unseasoned. You’re really just washing money down the drain for the blandest item they have.
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7. Chicken Biscuit
The chicken biscuit is a bit of an anomaly. The biscuit itself is often huge and flaky, which is what you want, but the chicken-to-biscuit ratio just doesn’t deliver. Not to mention, this doesn’t have any sauce or added toppings to it, so it’s incredibly dry unless you customize it.
8. Mac and Cheese
Alright, we’re not saying that the mac and cheese is “bad” per se, but we are saying it’s far from the best option. Plenty of devoted customers swear by this classic side dish, and we are on board with the baked, crunchy bits that give it a homemade flavor, but it’s just not something we reach for.
9. Regular Fries
No judgment if you’re a regular fry guy, but may we interest you in the far superior option? As far as fast food spuds go, Chick-fil-A’s are just…fine. And since this is your hard-earned money we’re talking about, you want a lot more than that before shelling out the dough.
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10. Chick-n-Strips
It’s not like we were expecting a knockout item (these are fast-food tenders), but we were at least hoping for a better deal. It’s hard to get on board with these, given their price, and since they’re mediocre at best, we usually just skip ‘em.
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Now, despite its downfalls, this chicken chain giant still boasts some of the best options around, and it’s time we talked about them! Here are a few things you ought to grab the next time you go.
1. Original Chicken Sandwich
Okay, well, obviously, the chicken sandwich was going to be first! You just can’t top this bad boy. On the surface, it doesn’t look like much: a few pickles and chicken on a bun. However, it's the quality ingredients that knock this out of the park. These guys built their empire on its simplicity, and it’s no wonder people line up around the block for that juicy breast and toasted bun.
2. Waffle Fries
Please. We beg of you. Ditch the regular fries and grab these instead! Chick-fil-A’s waffle fries are unlike any other; they have an incredible crunch to them and can scoop up sauce like nobody’s business. We’ll admit, some locations don’t always carry the signature crispiness, but that’s just a risk you’ll have to take.
3. Hash Browns
Something that does have constant crunch, however, is the hash browns! It’s a box full of adorable, golden brown potatoes that complement just about anything on the menu. They also have everything you love about the waffle fries, except they’re in tator tot form.
4. Cobb Salad
Well, we have good news and bad news about the Cobb salad. The good news is that it tastes fantastic. It comes loaded with 42 grams of protein—thanks to the chicken, egg, and crumbled bacon—and has all the fixin’s of a traditional bowl. The bad news is…well, maybe just don’t look at the calories.
5. Deluxe Chicken Sandwich
So, the OG sandwich just isn’t doing it for you. That’s okay because the deluxe version kicks things up a notch! Complete with lettuce, tomato, and cheese, this sandwich has all the flavor of the original but with classic dressings that add a punch of freshness. It’ll cost you a little extra, but it’s worth it.
6. Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Any fire-eaters in the house? If you’re in the mood for something that sets your mouth ablaze, you won’t find better than Chick-fil-A’s spicy chicken sandwich. Dill pickle chips and cayenne pepper give this a great burst of acidic heat that some dare say is better than the original.
7. Kale Crunch Salad
Wait, don’t go! We know how it looks recommending kale! But have you ever actually tried Chick-fil-A’s version? They drizzled vinaigrette on kale, cabbage, and toasted almonds for a woefully underrated side dish that deserves more love. It’s also one of the healthier things on the menu.
8. Coffee
People are particular about their coffee, so we wouldn’t blame you for forgoing this place. However, Chick-fil-A has surprisingly good beans from THRIVE Farmers, a farmer-direct coffee company that provides a rich, smooth flavor. The iced coffee isn’t very good, but the hot stuff is worth a go.
9. Chick-fil-A® Sauce
Chick-fil-A offers at least eight different sauces, many ranging from classic options like BBQ and honey mustard to more adventurous kinds like zesty Buffalo and sweet and spicy sriracha. But we all know what we’re here for, and you bet we’re walking out with an entire bag full.
10. Extra Pickles
We’re not saying you should just order pickles to go, but we are saying you should ask for extra on your sandwich. We don’t know what it is about Chick-fil-A, but their dill pickle slices go perfectly on every sandwich, and you aren’t getting your money’s worth without another helping.
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