Blog Layout
The Chicken Sandwich: A Canvas for Creativity
CSSI Staff Post – April 28, 2021
Chicken is a universal crowd-pleaser. But deep-fry it, drizzle it with "special sauce," and serve it in between two toasted buns with some tangy pickles… and you go from humble protein to a new universe of utter deliciousness. All these components work together to create one cohesive symphony of pure flavor and bliss. It makes perfect sense that the fried chicken sandwich scene has exploded in recent years.
When Popeyes launched its New Orleans-style fried chicken sandwich in 2019, the fast-food landscape forever changed. Rivalries with Chick-Fil-A, other operators, and independent restaurants spread like wildfire on Twitter and beyond. The result has been ingenious creativity and innovation in terms of both flavor and marketing tactics.
Here, we'll cover the most recent mouthwatering offerings from operators, a bit of fried chicken history, and why it's just so satisfying.
The Competition
So, who has the better bird?
Operators are fighting for bragging rights. Chick-fil-A joined the fight in January 2021 with their Grilled Spicy Chicken Deluxe Sandwich. Boston Market launched its take on a Nashville Hot Crispy Chicken Sandwich, and McDonald's has brought back their Spicy Chicken McNuggets in February 2021 for a limited time.
Most recently, Burger King announced that they will introduce a new hand-breaded chicken sandwich later this year with a promise that "it will be worth the wait." Yes, you heard that correctly: Burger King is now going head-to-head with its sister brand, Popeyes, in this flavor-forward bird battle.
The History of Fried Chicken
Where did this all start? Romans were frying chicken in bread crumbs or other forms of breading as far back as 100 AD. The heritage of the fried chicken sandwich as we know it today is a combination of cooking techniques molded by migrants over generations. After all, chicken Parmesan, chicken Milanese, and other breaded chicken sandwiches are essentially cousins with the now ubiquitous battered fried chicken sandwiches we see across the U.S.
The most recent yet historical representation of what we know today as the chicken sandwich dates to the 1800s in Japan with the Tori Katsu Sando (chicken katsu sandwich). Back then, Japan started cooking "yōshoku," which is Japan's interpretation of Western foods.
The chicken sandwich is a common folk food that we have been eating in one form or another worldwide for a very long time. It's a portable, easy-to-prepare staple for different cultures across the globe.
The Architect of the Modern Chicken Sandwich
In 1961, Chick-fil-A's trademarked the slogan "We didn't invent the chicken, just the chicken sandwich." It is a bold claim that Chick-fil-A still holds to this day. After all, they were the first operator to bring the sandwich to the masses through fast food. But does being first mean they're the best? There's no correct answer here; it comes down to personal preference and what your palate craves in a chicken sandwich. (Just be willing to defend your reasoning… to the death.)
Why Is It So Good?
Like the best things in life, the chicken sandwich strikes the perfect balance. It offers an irresistible combination of textures, from the crunchy chicken to the soft bun. The fat from the mayonnaise balances any heat and counters the acidity from the pickles to create layers of complex flavor—all of which play an equal role in the overall "magic" of the sandwich that has taken mainstream dining by storm.
Sources:
Uproxx, "How The Fried Chicken Sandwich Became 2019's Culinary Lightning Rod," by Zach Johnston, September 4, 2019.
USA Today, "Burger King unveils plans for a new chicken sandwich; pay up to try McDonald's sandwich early or a chicken hoodie," by Kelly Tyko, February 17, 2021.
Austin Vaziri
Senior R&D Chef
March 1st, 2023 We’re thrilled to introduce the newest addition to our culinary family: Chef Steve Madonna. Formally trained in both Italy and the United States, as well as having worked for Wolfgang Puck, Chef Steve brings an extensive set of connections and culinary knowledge to our already stacked chef roster. Featured in this month’s issue is one of Chef Steve’s favorite recipes for making memories at home with your loved ones.
October 19, 2022 Pumpkin pie is a nostalgic menu item and my personal favorite when it comes to fall and winter menus, as it goes hand in hand with a traditional Thanksgiving or Christmas feast. We elevate the nostalgia by turning this must-have holiday dish into a clarified cocktail that leaves your taste buds as curious as your eyes. We get adventurous as we replace expected visual elements with an ice-cold glass of clarified liquors infused with pumpkin pie. This cocktail defies all visual expectations, while leaving your sense of smell and taste immersed in a seasonally nostalgic experience.
October 19, 2022 Canada is well known for many things. Hockey, snow, maple syrup, and a few other stereotypical but somewhat accurate concepts may immediately come to mind. What you may not know, though, is how invested we are in the snacks that we consume. Compared to the U.S., sure, we are no match for the quantity and variety offered in the land of the free, home of the snacks. However, what we know in our hearts is that Canada has a long-standing, tried-and-true, flawed, yet beloved top-notch snack game. I’m talking about comfort foods that have become so integrated and so established that they are classified as cult-favourites—and no, I did not spell favourites incorrectly. You are about to see a lot more of the letter “U” in this article. Sorry! The great Canadian snack game is easy enough to understand. You think of a flavour and either slap it on a potato or pair it with chocolate. Snacking has always been a huge part of Canadian food culture, but it is only going up from here. To put it lightly, the past few years have been tough on everyone around the world, and Canadians have chosen to increase their spending on snacks by 67% as an indulgence or, personally, as a coping mechanism. In no way, shape, or form am I claiming to be a culinary expert somehow employed in the field of Finance, but I have eaten a lot in my life and right now, I’m the best and/or only Canadian guide you’ve got. Let’s get into the details:
Created by Olive + Ash.
Managed by Olive Street Design. 