The Asiago chicken sandwich from Wendy’s is a popular menu item featuring a breaded chicken fillet topped with Asiago cheese, roasted red peppers, lettuce, tomato, and a signature Asiago cheese spread on a toasted bun. Customers love the combination of flavors and textures in this sandwich. In this article, we will take a close look at the ingredients that go into making Wendy’s Asiago chicken sandwich so delicious.
The Asiago Chicken Fillet
The star of the Asiago chicken sandwich is the chicken fillet. Wendy’s uses whole muscle chicken breast fillets and breads them with a light, crispy coating. The fillets are then pan-fried until golden brown and juicy inside. The fillets range in size from 4 to 5 ounces. The breading provides a nice crunch and texture contrast to the tender chicken interior. The chicken provides a neutral base that allows the other flavors to shine.
Asiago Cheese
True to its name, the Asiago chicken sandwich is topped with shredded Asiago cheese. Asiago is an Italian cow’s milk cheese with a firm, dense texture and salty, nutty flavor. It has a distinctive tanginess that sets it apart from other Italian cheeses like Parmesan or mozzarella. The aged flavor of Asiago cheese pairs beautifully with the chicken. About 1-2 ounces of shredded Asiago is used on each sandwich. The cheese is lightly sprinkled over the top of the chicken fillet. When the sandwich is toasted, the Asiago melts slightly to provide rich, gooey pockets of cheese.
Roasted Red Peppers
Another flavor boost comes from the roasted red bell peppers. Red peppers are slow-roasted to concentrate their natural sweetness and flavor. The blistered, charred peppers are then peeled, seeded, and sliced into strips. About 1-2 ounces of roasted red pepper strips are arranged atop the chicken on the Asiago chicken sandwich. The peppers add a pop of color and a sweet, smoky note that complements the cheese.
Asiago Cheese Spread
What really pulls the Asiago chicken sandwich together is the signature Asiago cheese spread. This is a creamy condiment made from a blend of Asiago cheese, mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, black pepper, and herbs. It has a smooth, thick texture and provides a tangy, cheesy punch of flavor. The spread acts as a sauce for the sandwich, tying together the chicken, cheese, and peppers. About 1-2 tablespoons of the spread is used per sandwich. It is slathered on the toasted bun before assembly.
Bun
The Asiago chicken sandwich comes on a specially baked bun. It has a golden toasted exterior and a soft inner crumb. The bun maintains structural integrity even when loaded with juicy chicken and toppings. A regular bun would fall apart. Wendy’s has developed a proprietary bun that features a perfect balance of strength and softness. The bun absorbs the chicken juices and cheese spread to take on flavors as you eat.
Lettuce and Tomato
Some freshness and texture comes from the lettuce and tomato toppings. The Asiago chicken sandwich includes two to three crispy lettuce leaves and two thick tomato slices. The lettuce provides crunch while the juicy tomatoes balance out all the rich cheese flavors. Both the lettuce and tomatoes are fresh, not wilted or mealy.
Preparation Method
Now let’s look at how the Asiago chicken sandwich is assembled by Wendy’s crew members:
1. The bun is toasted until golden brown.
2. 1-2 tbsp of Asiago cheese spread is spread evenly on the top half of the toasted bun.
3. The bottom half of the toasted bun is layered with 2-3 crisp lettuce leaves and two tomato slices.
4. A breaded Asiago chicken fillet is removed from the holding tray where fillets are kept crispy under heat lamps.
5. 1-2 oz of shredded Asiago cheese is sprinkled over the top of the chicken fillet.
6. 1-2 oz of roasted red peppers strips are arranged attractively over the cheese.
7. The prepared chicken is then placed on top of the lettuce and tomato in the bottom half of the bun.
8. The top half of the bun, layered with cheese spread, is placed over the chicken to complete the sandwich.
9. The sandwich is then wrapped securely and served hot and fresh to the customer.
Nutrition Information
Many customers are interested in the nutrition breakdown of the Asiago chicken sandwich. Here is the nutrition information according to Wendy’s website:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 540 |
| Fat | 24g |
| Carbohydrates | 51g |
| Protein | 34g |
| Sodium | 1280mg |
As you can see, the sandwich is quite high in calories, fat, and sodium. The majority of calories come from the crispy fried chicken fillet and cheese spread. However, the sandwich also provides a good amount of protein from the chicken. Customers concerned about their sodium intake may request no cheese spread. Overall, the Asiago chicken sandwich is an indulgent treat.
Prices
The Asiago chicken sandwich typically costs between $4.79 – $5.99 depending on location. Here are some average prices around the United States:
| City | Price |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $5.99 |
| Houston, TX | $4.99 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $4.89 |
| Chicago, IL | $5.69 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $4.99 |
There are frequent promotions that discount the sandwich, such as 2 for $5 deals. Prices are slightly higher in major metros like LA and Chicago.
Variations
The basic Asiago chicken sandwich can also be customized with a few different additions:
Spicy Asiago Chicken
This version includes a spicy sriracha and ghost pepper sauce underneath the chicken for extra heat.
Asiago Ranch Chicken Club
This sandwich adds smoked bacon and cheddar cheese to the regular Asiago chicken sandwich. The Asiago spread is swapped for a cool ranch sauce.
Honey BBQ Asiago Chicken
Instead of the Asiago spread, honey BBQ sauce is drizzled on top along with cheddar cheese instead of Asiago.
Sides
Wendy’s has an array of sides that pair nicely with the Asiago chicken sandwich:
– Natural cut fries
– Baked potato
– Chili
– Garden side salad
– Apple bites
The fresh apples offer a crunchy, sweet counterpoint to the savory sandwich. A baked potato or chili makes a hearty meal.
Drinks
Recommended beverages at Wendy’s to complement an Asiago chicken sandwich include:
| Drink | Notes |
|---|---|
| Lemonade | Cool, refreshing, not-too-sweet lemonade. |
| Iced Tea | Brewed in-house, unsweetened or sweet. |
| Strawberry Lemonade | A signature mixture of lemonade and strawberry. |
| Frosty | A thick, creamy frozen dairy dessert. |
The lemonade drinks offset the richness of the sandwich. A chocolate or vanilla Frosty makes the perfect dessert with its cold, thick creaminess.
When to Enjoy
The Asiago chicken sandwich is satisfying any time of day, for any meal:
– Breakfast – the protein and carbs are sustaining.
– Lunch – easy to grab a Quick meal on your break.
– Dinner – fills you up without too much effort.
– Late night snack – satisfies late night hunger pangs.
No matter when you crave it, the Asiago chicken sandwich really hits the spot.
Popularity
Wendy’s Asiago chicken sandwich has earned a devout following of fans since its nationwide launch in 2016. It quickly became one of the chain’s top-selling sandwiches.
In 2021, Wendy’s reported that the Asiago chicken sandwich was purchased nearly as frequently as the iconic Dave’s Single burger.
Reasons why customers love the Asiago chicken sandwich include:
– Unique flavor profile from the Asiago cheese and spread
– Crispy breading on the juicy chicken
– Melty cheese and roasted peppers
– Customizable with different spice and sauce options
– Provides satisfaction and indulgence without breaking your budget
The Asiago chicken sandwich has proven to be a successful long-term menu offering for Wendy’s, appreciated by customers looking for an affordable but restaurant quality chicken sandwich.
Fun Facts
Secret Menu Items
Some Wendy’s locations will make special variations of the Asiago chicken sandwich if you order them, including:
– Southwest Asiago Chicken – adds jalapeños, guacamole, tortilla strips
– Asiago Chicken Club – adds ham, bacon, cheddar
– Fried Green Tomato Asiago Chicken – battered green tomatoes instead of red ones
Global Presence
While extremely popular in the United States, the Asiago chicken sandwich is actually not a global Wendy’s menu item. It is currently only available in the U.S. Wendy’s restaurants in other countries do not offer it.
Nicknames
Fans of the Asiago chicken sandwich on social media often refer to it by nicknames like:
– Azi Sammy
– Sammy A
– That Asiago Tho
– Lady Asiago
Conclusion
The Asiago chicken sandwich from Wendy’s offers the perfect blend of flavors and textures in a crispy, saucy, melty, cheese-laden package. Customers count it among their favorite Wendy’s menu choices. Next time you are craving a chicken sandwich, look no further than the Asiago cheese spread-slathered delight. It will satisfy your cheese, chicken, and bread desires to the max thanks to the creamy Asiago cheese spread, juicy fillet, toasted bun, and roasted veggies. Now that you know exactly what goes into making the Asiago chicken sandwich so mouthwateringly delicious, head to your nearest Wendy’s and savor one today!