Wendy’s spicy chicken sandwich is a fan favorite menu item. The crispy chicken fillet topped with lettuce, tomato, and mayo provides a flavorful punch that keeps customers coming back for more. But where exactly does that spicy flavor come from?
The Spicy Chicken Fillet
The spicy flavor starts with the chicken fillet itself. Wendy’s marinates the chicken in a blend of seasonings before breading and frying it. The exact blend of spices used is a proprietary secret, but it likely contains some of the following:
- Black pepper
- Cayenne pepper
- Chili powder
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
Black pepper adds a bit of heat while also providing an earthy, aromatic flavor. Cayenne pepper packs the most heat of the blend. Chili powder builds both warmth and depth of flavor. Paprika contributes more red pepper flavor as well as a vibrant red-orange color. Garlic powder and onion powder enhance the savory umami taste. And salt balances out all the other seasonings.
The Spicy Mayo
The spicy seasoned mayo drizzled onto the chicken sandwich also boosts the heat level. It’s made by simply combining mayonnaise with a chili pepper-based hot sauce. The hot sauce likely contains a mix of chili peppers, vinegar, salt, and spices. Some examples of popular hot sauces that could be used include:
- Frank’s RedHot
- Tabasco
- Texas Pete
- Crystal
- Sriracha
The mayo helps spread the spicy flavor of the hot sauce across each bite of the chicken sandwich. The creamy base balances out the burning heat.
How Spicy Is Wendy’s Spicy Chicken?
Wendy’s spicy chicken sandwich brings a noticeable kick but isn’t overly fiery. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being not spicy and 10 being very hot, it ranks around a 4 or 5. It contains just enough spice to keep things interesting without scorching your taste buds.
Measuring Spiciness
The perceived spiciness or “heat” of a particular food or dish depends on a few key factors:
- Scoville heat units (SHU) – This scale measures the concentration of capsaicin, the compound responsible for spiciness in chili peppers. The higher the Scoville rating, the hotter the pepper. Examples:
- Jalapeño – 2,500 to 8,000 SHU
- Cayenne – 30,000 to 50,000 SHU
- Habanero – 100,000 to 350,000 SHU
- Amount used – The total amount of spices, hot sauces, and other heat-providing ingredients affects the overall spiciness.
- Individual tolerance – Personal preferences and sensitivities to spicy foods can make a dish seem hotter to some people than others.
Comparing Spicy Chicken Sandwiches
How does Wendy’s spicy chicken sandwich stack up against competitor’s spicy chicken sandwiches? Here’s a subjective 1 to 10 spiciness rating comparison:
| Restaurant | Spicy Chicken Sandwich | Spiciness Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wendy’s | Spicy Chicken Sandwich | 5 |
| Chick-fil-A | Spicy Chicken Sandwich | 3 |
| McDonald’s | Spicy Chicken Sandwich | 4 |
| Burger King | Spicy Ch’King Sandwich | 6 |
| Popeyes | Spicy Chicken Sandwich | 7 |
As shown, Wendy’s spicy chicken sandwich lands right in the middle heat-wise. It packs more punch than Chick-fil-A’s version but less than the extra fiery Popeyes sandwich.
Tips for Reducing the Spice Level
For those who find Wendy’s spicy chicken to be too hot, there are a few ways to tone down the heat:
- Order the regular crispy chicken sandwich instead
- Ask for no spicy mayo
- Add extra toppings like lettuce, tomato, cheese, bacon, etc. The extras help cool the spicy edge.
- Dip bites in ranch dressing or another cooling sauce
- Drink plenty of a cold beverage like soda or lemonade between bites
Ways to Make It Spicier
Spice-loving customers can ratchet up the heat factor by:
- Ordering extra spicy mayo on the sandwich
- Adding hot chili peppers or hot sauce packets
- Using spicy barbecue sauce instead of regular mayo
- Topping with spicy fried pickles
- Dusting with Cajun or chipotle seasoning
Most Popular Menu Item
Wendy’s launched their spicy chicken sandwich in 2017. It quickly became one of their most popular menu items. Wendy’s spicy chicken sandwich even overtook the classic crispy chicken sandwich in sales. It proved so successful that many other fast food chains added spicy chicken sandwiches soon after.
Why People Love Spicy Foods
Spicy flavors have surged in popularity worldwide over the past few decades. But why do so many people actively seek out and enjoy spicy foods? A few of the leading theories as to why people love spice:
- It triggers the release of endorphins which give a sense of euphoria
- It provides strong sensory stimulation
- It enhances other flavors in a dish
- It gives a feeling of increased body temperature
- It’s an exciting, daring experience
The natural chemical high and thrill-seeking behavior associated with spicy foods keeps fans coming back for more heat.
Health Benefits of Spicy Foods
Eating spicy foods like Wendy’s spicy chicken sandwich may also impart some health advantages. Potential benefits linked to spicy foods include:
- Boosts metabolism and increases satiety after a meal
- May help lower blood pressure
- Reduces inflammation
- Antioxidant properties
- Anti-cancer effects
- Anti-microbial properties that fight foodborne pathogens
The compounds that give chili peppers their heat, like capsaicin, appear to be responsible for many of these benefits. More research is still needed, but adding some spice to your diet may be a healthy move.
Conclusion
Wendy’s popular spicy chicken sandwich gets its signature flavor from a proprietary blend of spices and a spicy mayo sauce. While on the milder end of the spicy chicken sandwich spectrum, it provides enough heat and flavor for the average spice lover. Customers can amp up or tone down the spice level to suit their preferences. Spicy fast food menu items like Wendy’s spicy chicken allow customers to enjoy the thrill of flavorful heat along with the health perks linked to spicy foods. Wendy’s hit the mark by adding a spicy chicken sandwich to their menu.