I tried Jack in the Box's new chicken sandwich, and it's one of the best fast-food items I've tasted in years (2024)

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Here at Insider, you could say that we're really big fans of fast-food chicken sandwiches.

The chicken sandwich wars haven't slowed down since Popeyes' version launched a bona fide craze back in 2019 (now better known as the Before Times).

It wasn't long before other fast-food chains jumped on the bandwagon, as everyone from Burger King to Wendy's released new iterations of the beloved menu item (which fellow Insider food reporter Rachel Askinasi has been dutifully ranking for your convenience).

Most of these sandwiches keep things pretty simple. You get your classic subtly sweet bun, some pickles, and a thick chicken fillet in the middle.

But Jack in the Box has decided to shake things up. And reader, this sandwich is one of the best things I've tasted from a fast-food chain in years.

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Jack in the Box's Spicy Cluck'n Sourdough Sandwich is very different from its predecessors.

This is a chain where you can get everything from tiny tacos and jumbo egg rolls to curly fries and stuffed jalapeños, so I wasn't surprised that Jack in the Box decided to go bold with its newest chicken sandwich.

Jack's Spicy Cluck'n Sourdough Sandwich features a spicy chicken fillet, but it swaps the classic bun for the chain's sourdough bread instead.

Also packed into the sandwich are bacon crumbles and those stuffed jalapeños. Everything's topped off with melted cheddar cheese sauce, along with Jack in the Box's new "Spicy Good Good" sauce.

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I was first introduced to the Spicy Cluck'n Sourdough during Jack in the Box's Halloween event for the return of its Monster Taco.

The chain celebrated its relaunch of the Monster Taco — which disappeared from menus in 2019 — with a four-course feast at Columbia Mills, an old textile factory in Los Angeles where horror films like "Saw" have been filmed.

Like many Californians, I grew up with a Jack in the Box right by my house and I stand by my belief that its curly fries are among the best of the fast-food chains.

But after 10 years of living away from the Golden State, it's been a while since I've explored Jack in the Box's menu. So I was excited to see what all the fuss was about with the Monster Taco and intrigued by the promise of a new chicken sandwich.

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Before the Spicy Cluck'n Sourdough, I got to see the Monster Taco up close and personal.

Jack in the Box's Monster Taco features a crunchy shell, along with two slices of American cheese, shredded lettuce, and taco sauce.

And it's as big as your face.

I love Jack in the Box's tiny tacos — which, if you haven't had the pleasure, basically taste like the Costco taquitos (but even better) — so I had high hopes for the Monster Taco.

And while I liked the crunchy shell, I wish there had been more inside of it. I wasn't familiar with the Monster Taco before the event, so I imagined it'd be overflowing with cool ingredients. But there just wasn't much in it.

Just as I recently felt with Taco Bell's newest creation, I think Jack in the Box's Monster Taco needs something more to stand out from the pack. But would I say no to this after a big night out at the bars? Of course not.

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After two courses, I had completely forgotten about the chicken sandwich. Then it appeared in front of me, like a gift from the heavens.

I mean, first of all, just look at this thing. The chicken fillet was nice and thick, with super crispy skin. The jalapeño poppers were these plush little pillows on top, with everything drenched in a bright-red sauce that perfectly fit the night's spooky theme.

And everything was stuffed between two surprisingly sturdy slices of sourdough, which held together even as I flipped the sandwich around in wonder.

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After my first bite, I knew I'd be a fan of this sandwich for life.

It may sound hyperbolic, and I promise you I was not — nor am I ever — paid to say this, but Jack in the Box's Spicy Cluck'n Sourdough tastes absolutely phenomenal. I haven't been this excited about a new fast-food item since Taco Bell combined a burrito with grilled cheese last summer.

As someone who loves spicy food, I thought Jack in the Box's sandwich had the perfect amount of heat from the fillet and stuffed jalapeños. The sourdough was perfectly toasted, while the cheese and bacon crumbles added even more flavor. But the chicken was the star of the show, with its crispy skin and tender meat still shining above everything else.

My friend Jessica, who came with me to the dinner (and is a fellow fast-food lover), was also a huge fan. Her only wish was that she had saved more room for it.

"I feel like the crispiness from both the chicken and poppers was amazing with the soft, toasty sourdough," she told me. "And the spice from the jalapeños and oozing cheese was magical."

And yes, reader, we were completely sober.

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I had to know if the Spicy Cluck'n Sourdough was coming soon to Jack in the Box menus. Thankfully, the answer is yes.

The Spicy Cluck'n Sourdough will become available on December 13 as a mobile app exclusive, a Jack in the Box spokesperson told me. And it'll be exactly the same as the one I tasted, save for the red dye in the cheddar cheese sauce — which was added to give a little Halloween oomph to the sandwich.

I'm holding out hope that the Spicy Cluck'n Sourdough will be such a hit that it lands on Jack in the Box's permanent menu. Because when it comes to the fast-food chicken sandwich wars, this one is a major front-runner.

Until then, I'll be counting down the days until December.