McDonald's Vs Chick-Fil-A: Which Chain Has The Healthier Fried Chicken Sandwich?

When the craving for a crispy fried chicken sandwich hits, McDonald's and Chick-fil-A are easily two of the biggest names in the fast-food game. But subjective chicken sandwich rankings aside, which one should you choose if you're trying to stay health-conscious? Fried chicken sandwiches are not created equal at McDonald's and Chick-fil-A, so if you're trying to make the more nutritious choice, the differences are definitely worth examining. If you're strictly looking at a McDonald's McCrispy and a Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, the two are pretty comparable. However, the Chick-fil-A version edges out over the McDonald's one ever so slightly when looking at basic nutritional facts. So, one could say it's technically the healthier choice.

That said, it really all depends on what factors you're looking at. The Chick-fil-A sandwich contains 420 calories, 18g of fat, and 6g of sugar compared to the McDonald's version, which, for those wondering, boasts 470 calories, 20g of fat, and 9g of total sugar. Chick-fil-A's sandwich also contains slightly more protein at 29g, while McDonald's sandwich has 26g. Nevertheless, the McCrispy may still be more appealing to some in that it contains less sodium at 1140mg, while the Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich has 1460mg. The FDA recommends adults get no more than 2,300mg of sodium per day, so it's important to consider what other sodium-rich foods you may be eating with the sandwich, like fries.

Both chicken sandwiches consist of fried chicken and pickles on a bun, so it shouldn't really be a surprise that there are as many similarities as there are differences when it comes to health. For example, despite the Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich technically being healthier in a lot of ways, it contains the same amount of cholesterol as the McDonald's McCrispy at 70mg. Both sandwiches also contain the exact same amount of dietary fiber (just 1g though, so don't get too excited there). 

While Chick-fil-A does not list potassium, iron, or calcium in its nutrition facts, the contents of its sandwich leave reason to believe these are comparable if not the same as the McCrispy's. It's also worth noting that both sandwiches contain similar allergen callouts — people with sensitivities to wheat, sesame, or dairy would do well to consider neither sandwich the healthier option (Chick-fil-A also lists soy and eggs).

Contrary to what some may believe, no, Chick-fil-A did not invent the chicken sandwich. But it's definitely the focus of the chain's menu, and because of that, there are different versions to choose from. The catch is that each of these sandwiches varies in impact to your health. Among the objectively least healthy options are the Chicken & Waffles (especially the one with spicy chicken) as they contain the highest amount of calories and fat content. If you're looking for the healthiest option, you may want to opt for the Grilled Chicken Sandwich because, shocker, it isn't fried. But since we're looking at fried sandwiches here, the regular Chicken Sandwich is still the healthiest option, at least in terms of calories and fat, thanks to its simplicity. It's worth noting that once you start adding other condiments and toppings, those numbers will start ticking up.

The same goes for McDonald's too, though. Despite the first McDonald's being a barbecue joint that eventually built a global reputation around burgers and fries, there are multiple chicken sandwiches to choose from on the menu, most of which contain substantially more calories than the regular McCrispy thanks to extra condiments, toppings, and spicy coatings. The McChicken is the exception, containing less cholesterol and the fewest calories at 390, but that's also because it's the smallest of the bunch and contains a processed chicken patty instead of a fried chicken filet. So, at the end of the day, it really all comes down to your personal taste and health preferences.