We tried grilled-chicken sandwiches from several major fast-food chains — and the winner is obvious

Grilled chicken: the timid, humdrum sibling of fried chicken.

While nowhere near as glamorous or greasy as its crispy companion, grilled chicken is starting to increase in popularity as it rides the wave of health-conscious dining.

Most major fast-food chains now offer grilled-chicken options, from sandwiches to nuggets.

But seared chicken isn't masked by a delicious fried coating, so it has to be good to pass muster.

We tried grilled-chicken sandwiches from four major fast-food chains — Burger King, McDonald's, Wendy's, and Chick-fil-A — to find out which is best.

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5. Burger King Tendergrill

According to Burger King's menu, this chicken is marinated and seasoned with "pepper and herbs"— yet in reality, it tastes of utter nothing. The bun is weak and underwhelming and prone to flattening. And with the sandwich coming in at 470 calories — the highest of any on this list by a long shot — its healthiness is dubious at best. 

This is a chicken sandwich in the midst of an existential crisis. Is it meant to be an enjoyable, flavorful item or merely a bland vehicle for protein delivery? The chicken itself is dry, stringy, and tough. The lettuce and tomato are pallid, and the mayonnaise oversteps its boundaries in every bite. This sandwich leaves one in tangy despair.

4. McDonald's Artisan Grilled Chicken

This sandwich is part of the "Artisan" chicken revamp McDonald's released in 2015 along with the crispy fried version. The grilled white-meat breast fillet is topped with lettuce, tomato, and a vinaigrette dressing, all within McDonald's "artisan" bun.