Chick-Fil-A Vs Culver's: Which Chain Is Actually Serving The Healthier Chicken Sandwich?

I don't think anyone feels that fried chicken sandwiches are the healthiest food available, but there is some variance between competing chains. Take Culver's and, what some consider the gold standard for a fast food chicken sandwich, Chick-fil-A. "Healthy" means different things from person to person, as some folks may prioritize low-calorie options while others seek out menu items with maximum protein. Depending on where your priorities lie, Chick-fil-A appears to be the slightly better-for-you choice, but a few ordering options can level the playing field.

Let's compare the good stuff first. Each chicken sandwich has a similar amount of protein, with Chick-fil-A's simple classic boasting 29 grams versus 28 for Culver's. Neither sandwich has much to offer in terms of fiber, with Culver's containing 2 grams compared to Chick-fil-A's 1, which are negligible differences at best.

Now to the starker contrasts. Calorie-wise, Culver's has the more substantial sandwich with 690 calories, whereas Chick-fil-A's has only 420. That might be in part due to the fat in Culver's entree, which has 19 more grams than its counterpart (Chick-fil-A's has 16 grams total). Culver's is also packing in extra sodium from Wisconsin with love at 1,590 milligrams. Chick-fil-A's chicken sandwich doesn't exactly have a low sodium count at 1,470 milligrams, but it is the healthier selection in that respect. As for cholesterol, Culver's entree tops out at 75 milligrams compared to Chick-fil-A's 70.

Whether you want to lower the sodium, reduce calories, or increase the protein, there are some simple ordering options that can make your favorite chicken sandwich more appealing from a health perspective. If limiting calories is the primary objective, eliminating the buttered bun at Chick-fil-A (180 calories) and ordering the sandwich wrapped in lettuce instead (5 calories) will make a significant difference. Sadly, Culver's doesn't offer that option online, but the company prides itself on exemplary customer service, so employees might make it happen if you ask in person. Alternatively, you could order the entree without mayo, lowering the calorie count by 100.

Another easy way to score a healthier chicken sandwich is to load up on extra veggies. Just adding lettuce and tomato to Chick-fil-A's entree will boost the fiber content. A Culver's chicken sandwich already comes with those toppings, but there, you can order grilled mushrooms and onions, which also increases the nutritional benefits.

While it's a myth that all fried food is unhealthy, it's still true that the easiest way to order a healthier sandwich from either chain is to ask for grilled chicken instead of fried. At both chains, it will reduce the calories and fat content. Furthermore, ordering grilled chicken from Chick-fil-A cuts the sodium nearly in half, and it reduces it by 250 milligrams at Culver's. The one caveat about swapping for grilled chicken at the Wisconsin-based chain is that the cholesterol jumps from 75 to 115 milligrams. At the end of the day, the healthier way to order a chicken sandwich at either restaurant depends on what your personal priorities are.