I tried Chili's crispy chicken sandwich, which is driving sales. It showed me why the chain is winning the value wars.

I tried Chili's crispy chicken sandwich, which the chain credited with boosting sales.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider Chili's just released its latest earnings and credited its chicken sandwich with boosting sales.

I tried the chain's crispy chicken sandwich to see what the hype was about.

It gives Chili's an edge in the value battle with fast food.

Chili's has a new weapon in the war against fast food: its crispy chicken sandwich.

While the chicken sandwich wars have faded in recent years, the fight for value has only intensified.

Chili's has repeatedly leaned into that competition, launching three campaigns in the past few years that directly challenge fast-food staples with larger versions of those items, arguing that diners can get more for their money at the casual-dining chain.

Earlier this year, Chili's launched a new campaign for its $10.99 3-For-Me deal , featuring a revamped chicken sandwich and five new versions, from Buffalo to BLT-style, as it looks to challenge fast-food chains on taste and value.

The bet on chicken sandwiches is paying off.

On its parent company's Q4 earnings call on Wednesday, CEO Kevin Hochman credited the chicken sandwich push with helping boost same-store sales.

He said daily chicken sandwich orders on the base menu jumped 175%, and said the item was "designed to drive traffic." I tried the new chicken sandwich to see why it's become such a hit for Chili's.

Chili's crispy chicken sandwich immediately impressed me with its size I tried Chili's crispy chicken sandwich, which the chain credited with boosting sales.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider In addition to its classic version, the chicken sandwich comes in five variations, including honey-chipotle, Buffalo, spicy mayo, and a deluxe version topped with bacon, lettuce, and tomato.

It's also featured in Chili's nationwide $10.99 3-For-Me deal, which includes fries, bottomless chips and salsa, soup or a side salad, and unlimited fountain drinks.