One Of The Best New Fried Chicken Sandwiches Of 2026 Isn't Your Average Popeyes Order

Popeyes chicken sandwiches are beloved by many — some even say the chain is churning out the best chicken sandwiches in today's fast food game. And in May, Popeyes introduced a new winner to its chicken sandwich lineup: the Honey BBQ Chicken Sandwich, which easily snagged a spot on our list of the best new fast food sandwiches of 2026. It's simple — a crispy chicken breast fillet is sandwiched between two brioche buns, each slathered with honey barbecue sauce. A few pickles are added to the bottom bun before the sandwich is assembled, and there you have it — a sweet, spicy, super-flavorful sandwich that's as unpretentious as it is delicious. 

It's not too far off from the chain's Classic Chicken Sandwich, dressed with mayonnaise and pickles. What sets this sandwich apart from its crispy peers, clearly, is the sweet barbecue sauce. Customers on Reddit have noted that the sauce used on the sandwich seems to be the same one used on Popeyes boneless wings. According to the chain, the tangy condiment is made with molasses, honey, and tamarind (a sweet-and-sour fruit that's sometimes used to cut the richness of baked treats, and clearly works well in barbecue sauce, too). And because Popeyes embraces customer choice, you have several options to take the flavor of your Honey BBQ Chicken Sandwich to the next level. 

There's absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying the Honey BBQ Chicken Sandwich exactly as it appears on the menu, with a healthy splash of Honey BBQ sauce and a few tangy pickles to round out the flavor. That said, there are a few modifications you can make to create a sandwich that meets your exact cravings, whether you're in the mood for something super spicy, savory, or sweet. First, if you want a boost of savory flavors, try upgrading to the Bacon & Cheese Chicken Sandwich. You get the same Honey BBQ sauce base, plus bacon and Havarti cheese.

If you'd rather stick with the standard Honey BBQ Chicken Sandwich but want to amp up the sweetness, try asking for a container of Wild Honey Mustard sauce — the Honey BBQ sauce and the mustard flavor meld nicely together, creating a taste that's not too far off from Chick-fil-A sauce (which is actually way less complicated than it looks). If you want to kick the heat up a notch, ask for a container of Bayou Buffalo Sauce and pour it on top to create a sweet-and-extra-spicy version of the sandwich. You can also ask for a whole jalapeño on the side — just don't forget to ask for a bottle of water, too. No matter how you enjoy the Popeyes Honey BBQ Chicken Sandwich, we think you'll agree it's one of the best things to happen to fast food in 2026.