Right after the good ol’ burger, chicken — whether fried, grilled, or sandwiched — is one of America’s favorite indulgences.
Just about every fast-food joint has chicken on the menu, and while many claim they serve “real” chicken, some still rely on antibiotic-laden, factory-farmed mystery meat.
But not these guys.
Here are 7 chains that actually use high-quality, real chicken.
Chicken plays a central role at Chick-fil-A, so the chain is dedicated to ensuring the quality of its meat. For decades, the company has been touting the fact that is uses "real, whole, boneless breast of chicken with no added fillers, artificial preservatives, steroids — and no added hormones."
To serve “Great food you can feel good about eating," the company sticks to some of the industry's most rigorous animal welfare standards. Their chickens live in climate-controlled barns with room to roam, constant access to feed and water, and a carefully monitored diet.
As for its antibiotic policy, since 2014, Chick-fil-A has set a goal to sell antibiotic-free chicken. But in 2024, the chain shifted from No Antibiotics Ever (NAE) to No Antibiotics Important to Human Medicine (NAIHM) due to dwindling supplies caused by increasing outbreaks of bird flu, at U.S. chicken farms.
BurgerFi isn’t the first name that comes to mind when you're craving chicken — it’s a burger joint, after all. But along the way, the chain leveled up its chicken game — so much so that in May 2024, it decided to ruffle some feathers in the Chicken Wars by rebranding itself as ChickenFi to launch its new chicken sandwich menu.
The chain sources its chicken from family-owned Springer Mountain Farms, guaranteeing its birds are cage-free, American Humane Certified, and raised without hormones or antibiotics.
The Crazy Chicken ranks high with taste testers, especially for its flame-grilled chicken packed with smoky, charred flavor. But another reason to feel good about eating there is that it’s a “healthier alternative” in the fast-food world.
El Pollo Loco uses only fresh, hormone-free chicken and skips artificial additives like MSG, fake flavors, and colors. Their chicken is never frozen, and it’s marinated in a mix of citrus juices and spices, then grilled over an open flame for that unmistakable, fire-kissed taste.
You’re probably heading to Culver’s for its Butter Burgers, Frozen Custard or the cheese curds, but you should stay for the crispy chicken sandwich. The Wisconsin-born chain serves top-notch chicken sourced from Springer Mountain Farms, the same trusted supplier as BurgerFi. Their chicken is American Humane Certified, antibiotic-free, and made from whole white meat fed a 100% vegetarian diet with no animal byproducts.
Chipotle is one of the most consistent fast-food chains, especially when it comes to meat quality. Another thing the brand does better than other chain restaurants is being very transparent about sourcing its meat.
The Mexican-grill chain gets its chicken from farms that raise birds without antibiotics and feed them a 100% vegetarian diet. The chicken gets a smoky chipotle-pepper and adobo marinade before hitting the flat-top grill, locking in a bold, smoky flavor.
Elevation Burger made our list for serving some of the highest-quality beef, so it’s no surprise it holds its chicken to the same standard. Their Sriracha Chicken Sandwiches and chicken tenders are crafted from USDA-certified organic, cage-free chicken with a firm “no antibiotics ever” policy.
Panera Bread might be one of the pricier options on this list — $13.39 compared to Chick-fil-A’s $5 — but its chicken justifies the cost. The chain has been serving chicken raised without antibiotics since 2015, and as of 2024, all animal proteins on Panera’s U.S. menu meet this standard. They also source chicken with strict animal welfare requirements as part of the Better Chicken Commitment, providing more space, better lighting, and a cleaner living environment.
