Why You'll Probably Never See A Chicken Sandwich At In-N-Out

In-N-Out is a lot of things, but a chicken chain isn't one of them. The West Coast-based burger spot is remarkably successful, only having recently closed its first location — and not for reasons related to its food. Since the original In-N-Out started flipping patties in California in 1948, the fast food restaurant has steadily expanded outside the Golden State. With the company's 400th location opening in December 2023 — the first in Idaho — customers in eight states can enjoy a double-double. Sadly, anyone craving a chicken sandwich can't order one at In-N-Out, now or probably ever.

In-N-Out has historically been slow to make menu changes. The most recent additions have been drinks: Hot cocoa made the cut in 2018, preceded by lemonade 15 years earlier. But the company's reluctance to try new things isn't because of tradition or stubbornness. When rumors spread on TikTok in 2021 that the chain added a chicken sandwich to its secret menu, In-N-Out's corporate office laid them to rest, explaining away the false hope. "Since 1948, we've served only the freshest, highest quality hamburgers, french fries, and beverages," the office told ABC10 in an official statement. "We remain committed to serving just those menu items in order to allow us to keep our intense focus on the quality of the products we serve." 

By sticking to the same-old offerings, In-N-Out chooses to prioritize quality food made with fresh ingredients. That commitment makes it difficult to add new menu items, especially chicken sandwiches. 

In-N-Out's slogan glows neon yellow in its restaurants, a firm reminder of the chain's steadfast commitment to serving its customers the best food possible. The sign shines brightly overhead whenever you order: "Quality you can taste." The tagline isn't idealistic, but a business model that has been in practice since 1948. Back then, founder Harry Snyder purchased and prepared fresh food every morning. Today, each burger and each basket of fries are still made from never-frozen ingredients.

Ever wondered why In-N-Out isn't widely available across the U.S.? Turns out, the logistics of keeping things fresh make it extra complicated to open up in new states as well as introduce new menu items. Since none of its restaurants are equipped with a microwave or freezer, the burger patties and their fixings are shipped directly from distribution centers in California and Texas to restaurants, while the potatoes come straight from the farm. This finely tuned process of stocking its stores doesn't make it easy to throw new ingredients into the mix, but it does make for the best food possible.

In-N-Out is also adamant about the quality of its beef, which isn't as easy to achieve with chicken lately. The chain only uses 100% USDA ground chuck that's free of additives, fillers, and preservatives. However, problems with poultry production would make sourcing chicken of equally high quality difficult, if not impossible. Even Chick-fil-A recently abandoned its "no antibiotics" policy as a result of supply chain issues.

If you're desperate to find out what an In-N-Out chicken sandwich would taste like, savvy customers figured out a way you can make one yourself. It's a little costly and inconvenient, requiring you to order off the chain's secret menu and visit another fast food establishment on the way home, but dreams sometimes come true in unexpected ways.

To create your own In-N-Out-style chicken sandwich, start with the chain's go-to vegetarian offering: The grilled cheese. Featured on In-N-Out's "Not-So-Secret" menu, the item is similar to a standard burger but served sans patty and with two slices of American cheese. While the grilled cheese comes with spread, for the sake of the chicken, it's worth ordering it animal-style for extra sauce, pickles, and grilled onions. (But if you'd rather avoid cheese altogether, a regular or animal-style burger without the patty works just as well.) When it comes to the chicken component of the sandwich, turn to a restaurant that actually sells it. Whether KFC, Raising Cane's, or Jollibee, order a plain chicken sandwich from your preferred chain.

Once you've secured both items, open them up, then take the crispy chicken breast and tuck it inside the grilled cheese. Voila — a chicken sandwich with all of In-N-Out's fresh fixings and signature sauce, no official menu offering needed. Pair it with a chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry shake (or the secret Neapolitan, which combines all three flavors) from In-N-Out, and enjoy every sweet sip and savory bite!