Is Illinois Home to the Unhealthiest Fast-Food Chicken Sandwich?
Chicken sandwiches have long been marketed as the “better” fast-food choice, a beacon of hope for anyone trying to make slightly healthier decisions while still inhaling drive-thru goodness. They aren't, but they sure do taste amazing.
A recent PlushCare study set out to crush our dreams by ranking the unhealthiest chicken sandwiches based on calories, saturated fat, sugar, and sodium. Turns out, some of these menu items have enough salt to make a deer wander into traffic, enough fat to lube a bowling lane, and enough calories to power a small marching band.
And of course, the worst offender? The one that tastes the best, in my opinion. Because that’s how the universe works.
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If you’ve ever taken a bite of a crispy, juicy, perfectly seasoned sandwich and thought, Wow, this is way too good to be healthy, you were absolutely right. Deliciousness and nutritional value rarely go hand in hand, and the chicken sandwich hall of shame proves it.
So, before you start thinking you’ve made a “better” choice, let’s take a look at the absolute worst fast-food chicken sandwiches out there—the ones that laugh in the face of moderation and dare you to eat just one.
5 Unhealthiest Fast Food Fried Chicken Sandwihes
(Brace yourself. It’s bad news.)
5. Bojangles’ Bo’s Chicken Sandwich
Unhealthiness Score: 36
Bojangles' Bo's Chicken Sandwich with crispy chicken fillet pickles and mayo on a toasted bun (1,730mg of sodium)
4. Smashburger Classic Smash Crispy Chicken
Unhealthiness Score: 37
Smashburger's Classic Smash Crispy Chicken Sandwich (1,720mg of sodium)
3. Zaxby’s Signature Sandwich with Zax Sauce
Unhealthiness Score: 37
It’s the Zax Sauce, made with mayo, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and spices and added to the crispy chicken sandwich that explains the massive 2,610mg of sodium and 43g of fat.
2. Fatburger Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Unhealthiness Score: 38
Fatburger's Crispy Chicken Sandwich (2,350mg of sodium)
I didn't do a Google search to see how many of the first four offenders are available around Illinois, but I've lived in this state for a few decades, and I've seen a couple Bojangles and a few Smashburgers, and possibly a Fatburger.
The unhealthiest chicken sandwhich is availabe at 146 locations around Illinois, 37 locations in Chicago alone.
The Unhealthiest Fast Food Fried Chicken Sandwich
1. Popeyes Chicken Sandwich Classic
Unhealthiness Score: 39
No one goes to Popeyes expecting to lower their cholesterol, I sure don't. This sandwich is a reward to myself for making better food choices for a good stretch of time. #CheatMeal. According to a study by PlushCare, it ranks as the unhealthiest chicken sandwich, scoring 39 points on their unhealthiness scale.
RELATED: Best Place to Grab Cheeseburgers in Illinois, According to Yelp
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Gallery Credit: Steve Shannon
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