Review: Jack in the Box - Asian Fried Chicken Sandwich

Jack in the Box's Asian Fried Chicken Sandwich features crispy fried chicken strips, fresh cucumbers, Asian-style slaw, and gochujang mayo on a toasted rice flour baguette.

I went and bought one for $4.99. The sandwich is part of a limited-time line called the "Food Truck Series."

The rice flour baguette is new to Jack in the Box. I think they were aiming for something like a Vietnamese baguette which is airier inside with a crispier, thin crust compared to a traditional baguette and is thought to be made with a bit of rice flour. If so, they weren't very successful in the attempt, there wasn't much crispness to be found at the crust level and the crumb inside was soft, dense, and doughy with a bit of chewiness. It felt somewhat like a Chinese bao, or steamed bun, except baked. With its heavier quality, it tended to overshadow the rest of the sandwich.

The chicken strips turned out a bit dry with a fairly wimpy and only occasional crunch at the surface. While they were long enough for the bun, they didn't quite cover it in width.

There wasn't much in the way of Asian-style slaw and cucumbers but they contributed a fresh, slightly sweet, lightly pickled component that was enjoyable. They weren't cut thick enough for any appreciable crunch though. A shame as it may have made up for the lack in the bun and chicken.

The gochujang mayo introduced a tangy creaminess touched with a little heat but the fermented funk of the sauce didn't come across unless I was tasting it alone.

The overall effect of Jack in the Box's Asian Fried Chicken Sandwich left me underwhelmed with the main culprit being the new bun, which was decidedly un-baguette-like and too heavy to boot.

Nutritional Info - Jack in the Box Asian Fried Chicken Sandwich
Calories - 660 (from Fat - 240)
Fat - 27g (Saturated Fat - 5g)
Sodium - 1590mg
Carbs - 80g (Sugar - 8g)
Protein - 26g