Most fast-food chicken sandwiches blur together after the first bite. Arby’s is counting on these three being different. The chain introduced its Chicken Cheesesteak, Chicken Deluxe Cheesesteak, and Spicy Chicken Cheesesteak at participating U.S. locations on October 12, 2026 — all limited-time offerings, with no removal date announced. The template draws from the Angus Cheesesteak, which earned a permanent menu slot after a strong limited-time run. Arby’s appears to be running a similar play, just with a different protein in the starring role.
What’s Actually in These Sandwiches
The cooking method here is doing considerably more work than most drive-thru kitchens attempt.
Each sandwich uses chicken marinated in garlic, onion, and paprika, then cooked sous vide — sealed and submerged in precisely temperature-controlled water — before being seared for a finished crust. Available reports differ on the exact sequence of searing and sous vide steps, so treat the preparation as confirmed in its components rather than its precise order. All three sandwiches share Cooper Sharp cheese, a white American-style cheese associated with Philadelphia cheesesteaks, plus caramelized onions and a toasted sesame-seed roll. Here’s where they split:
- Chicken Cheesesteak: The baseline — seasoned chicken, Cooper Sharp, caramelized onions. Approx. $7.49, approx. 660 calories.
- Chicken Deluxe Cheesesteak: Adds shredded lettuce and sliced tomatoes. Approx. $8.49, approx. 670 calories.
- Spicy Chicken Cheesesteak: Adds a spicy glaze to the base. Approx. $7.99, approx. 760 calories.
- Ordering: Available at the counter, drive-thru, or through Arby’s digital channels where offered. Customization is possible, potentially at an added charge. Prices vary by location.
Which Version Is Worth Your Money
Early taste-test opinions point toward two clear choices — and one to reconsider.
According to a reviewer at The Takeout, the standard and spicy versions landed stronger than the Deluxe. The issue with the Deluxe, that reviewer noted, isn’t the seasoning — it’s texture: hot lettuce and sliced tomatoes on a soft sesame roll create a combination that reportedly undermines the sandwich. These remain subjective assessments from individual reviews, not a settled critical consensus.
This launch fits into a recognizable Arby’s rhythm — the Angus Cheesesteak‘s graduation to permanent menu status after a limited-time run established something of a template. Fast-food chains adapting cheesesteak flavors for a national drive-thru format has quietly become its own genre, and these three chicken versions are squarely in that conversation.
As of October 12, 2026, the sandwiches are available at participating locations while supplies last. If you’re planning to try one, early taste-test reviewers suggest the Spicy version is the stronger order — and the Deluxe may be one worth skipping.
