Chicken Burger Vs Chicken Sandwich: Is There Really A Difference?

Chicken goes wonderfully with almost anything, and there are countless methods to prepare and enjoy it. Chicken burgers and sandwiches are two such ways to enjoy a cut of delicious chicken, but what's the actual difference between them? Is a burger just a sandwich, or is it a culinary creation all its own?

There's more to chicken burgers and chicken sandwiches than the bread they're served on. That is an important distinction, though, since burgers usually come on soft, fluffy buns, while sandwiches use more typical types of bread. When it comes to the meat, chicken burgers typically use patties made up of ground poultry that are grilled in much the same way you would a beef burger, while sandwiches tend to use either whole cuts or shredded chicken that have been barbecued, baked, or fried (which makes sandwiches one of the great ways to use store-bought rotisserie chicken, by the way).

Another big difference between chicken burgers and sandwiches is the toppings and condiments involved, though of course there's room for individual preference. To many, lettuce, tomato, and other typical burger toppings are just as good on a chicken burger as on beef, while toppings may be more diverse on a chicken sandwich, where you also may be more likely to see sides like a pickle spear.

While there are handy visual ways to tell chicken burgers and chicken sandwiches apart, what about the differences you can't see? Since chicken burgers tend to use ground patties, they often have more lean meat and possibly less fat than a whole chicken breast or filet. Ground chicken is also more processed and likely to contain more preservatives and extra sodium than fresh chicken cuts (this can vary from source to source, however). Chicken breast or filet has the big advantage of not having as many preservatives as processed meat (if any), so there's less risk of adverse health effects that may come with preservatives. Ground poultry also has a greater risk of foodborne contamination thanks to its extra surface area and the mixing process involved in its creation.

Since there are more ways for a chicken sandwich to be cooked, it can vary more than a chicken burger, but grilled, baked, or barbecued chicken does tend to have less cholesterol and saturated fat than a ground chicken patty. However, a fried chicken sandwich is generally considered to be unhealthy, though those exact numbers can vary depending on the oil you use. Using duck fat for fried chicken, for example, can be healthier than other animal fats. In general, though, fried food is high in things like carbs and trans fats and can cause oxidative stress that adversely affects your immune system. Overall, a chicken sandwich can be considered healthier, but that really depends on how it's prepared and what else is on that sandwich.