Despite its godawful name, I liked the Ch’King. While it wasn’t Popeyes-level delicious (I mean, what is), it was better than many other fast food chicken sandwiches. But, as with my appreciation for McDonald’s short-lived Arch Deluxe, I was in the minority and the Burger King fat cats 86’d it. So it goes. In its place is the Royal Crispy Chicken line, which, I guess is “Royal” because of the whole “King” thing.
Between us, it just seems to be a pretty standard chicken sandwich patty.
First, I’ll tell you some things I liked about Burger King’s new Italian Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwich.
The chicken patty was quite large. Two of its edges hung off the side of the bun, which, as we all know, is a generally agreeable quality in a chicken sandwich. (Well, okay, provided you want to actually EAT said chicken patty.)
Further, this large chicken patty was not dry. I’d stop short of calling it juicy, but I’ve had much drier chicken patties from the King and his many competitors.
And finally, the “marinara sauce” that lightly adorned the sandwich was definitely recognizable as an Italian red sauce, and not just like ketchup with some oregano.
That’s it. Those were the three things I liked: the big piece of chicken wasn’t bone dry and it had a little Prego on it.
Not exactly a ringing endorsement, I know. But then again, if I didn’t like it, I guess I shouldn’t give it a ringing endorsement, right?
Here’s my main complaint with this chicken sandwich: it was completely uninspired. Yes, it was problematic that the execution and ingredients were lackluster; the big-and-not-dry patty was bland and void of any real flavor; the marinara was indistinguishable from a jarred supermarket spaghetti sauce; and the long slice of mozzarella was, for lack of a better word, floppy and tasted like white American cheese.
But aside from the poor ingredients, were we as consumers really clamoring for another burger baron’s take on an Italian chicken sandwich? It feels like everyone trots theirs out every couple of years and none of them are ever very well received, and they eventually fade into the lost land of LTOs, where they silently remain for a handful of years before bursting back onto the scene with an un-triumphant flourish.
I mean, if you’re gonna do it, maybe try something interesting like Wendy’s with its Deep Fried Mozzarella Disc. Or what about doing something with Alfredo sauce instead? But also, do I really want to eat Alfredo sauce from Burger King? And why am I asking so many questions?!
In the end, this sandwich will fade from memory, just as the universe intended. If you liked it, I’m sorry. Take solace in the fact that it will be back again in a year or two, just the way you remembered it.
Purchased Price: $5.49
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 533 calories, 21 grams of fat, 0 gram of trans fat, 5.4 grams of saturated fat, 78 mg of cholesterol, 1641 milligrams of sodium, 57 grams of total carbohydrates, 8 grams of sugars, 9 grams of fiber, and 33 grams of protein.
I haven’t had this version of BK’s chicken sandwich yet, but I think that breast is a filet and not a patty. Patty would be ground chicken. Also, the September review of the sandwich describes it as a filet and not a patty.
Hi, great review, but the cross section clearly shows this is a whole muscle piece of breast, not a patty. The original chicken sandwich at BK would indeed be a patty.
Yeah, it’s a filet…not a patty. Also, I have to disagree with your review. I think it’s good that they kept it simple and kept it what it is. I don’t think that it was necessary to try and reinvent anything here. They went for a chicken parm and they made a chicken parm and I really enjoy it. The price point is really agreeable too.
We tried it last Friday and neither of us enjoyed it much, the tomato sauce was blah, and the lack of anything else on it made it seem like there was to much bun.
I’m surprised this review hasn’t been edited and corrected. Calling a chicken filet a patty is like calling a NY strip a hamburger. It’s absurd.
I’ve tried this twice now, the BK app has a nice deal for a $7 meal (which normally costs $12 here), and it’s okay. Reminds me of the classic Italian Sandwich BK briefly brought back earlier this year, except with the new Royal Chicken filet instead of the weird long patty. My main gripe with it is the same I had with the Classic Italian in that because they don’t toast the bun that it ends up being soggy/mushy thanks to the marinara. I’ll be indifferent when this inevitably leaves the menu, but if they toasted the bun then I would lament its absence like I do with the Spicy Ch’King, which is still the best chicken sandwich I’ve ever gotten from a BK.