Review Update: Golden Chick Big & Wicked Sandwich

Bottom Line: The new Big & Wicked Sandwich from Golden Chick is a step ahead of the competition and delivers some good heat.

Back in December 2024, I did a review of the Golden Chick Big & Wicked Chicken Sandwich and noted that while it was quite tasty, it did not quite get to the heat level I was hoping for (you can read that here).  I recently stopped by there for one of those sammies, and it definitely had more of a kick than I remembered.  I also noticed that they are claiming on their website that the filet is now 20% bigger (which is surprising because it was already quite sizeable).  So I decided it was time to update my review because it appears this sandwich has had a notable upgrade.

Here’s the rundown on the Big & Wicked sandwich from Golden Chick:

All-white meat chicken breast, hand-breaded and fried to perfection, then topped with Lotta Zing® Sauce and dusted with Lotta Zing® seasoning, along with five pickles on an extra-large fresh-baked roll.

Note that the Big & Golden is basically the same thing without the seasoning. It has a kick as well, but the Big & Wicked amps things up to the next level.

To start off, this sandwich is named accurately because it truly is “Big.” It has a sizeable breast filet that fills out the bun, and it is juicy and tender throughout, well-flavored by the marinade they use. It also has a good meat-to-crust ratio, and there’s some crunch in pretty much every bite. The sauce has just a little bit of mayo tang and also brings some creaminess. The seasoning has a peppery kick and a little bit of Cajun twang. The pickles add some pucker and have a good crunch to them. And then there’s that fresh-baked bun that takes the sandwich to the next level. It is pillowy and soft with a touch of sweetness, and I could eat a dozen of those things if you handed them to me on a platter.

As for the heat, it isn’t noticeable at first, but the more you eat, the more it kicks in. About halfway through, it got to Medium on my scale, and by the end it left my lips tingling, delivering on the “Wicked” part of its name. It won’t set your mouth on fire, but it is pretty good for the drive-thru.  Since the last time it came up to only Mild on my scale, I don’t know if the heat depends on how heavy-handed they are with the seasoning in the kitchen, or if they have just decided to kick it up more. But considering the overall quality of this sandwich along with the heat, this comes real close to that perfect juncture I seek where fire meets flavor.  And to be on the safe side, I will just ask for extra seasoning each time.

They do not have a breakdown of calories on the Golden Chick website, but I saw somewhere online that the Big & Wicked comes in at around 550 cals, which sounds about right. That’s not bad by itself (and it is a rather filling sandwich), but you know you’ll probably add a side. It would be better to go with the Cole Slaw or Mashed Potatoes, which are lower in calories, but I usually can’t get past their fried okra, which comes in around 300 cals. I just called it a splurge and schedule some extra time on the treadmill—because it was worth it.

The sandwich itself (both the Golden and Wicked versions) will set you back $5.99, which is a little on the high side considering that market leader Popeyes charges $4.99 for their sammie. But the combo with a side and drink is $8.99 (Popeyes is a dime more at $9.09), so that is the better deal. Golden Chick is currently located in Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida, and they are continuing to grow. You can check for a location near you at their website, and if they’re close by, I highly recommend stopping in for their Big & Wicked Sandwich and many of their other tasty menu items.