Most people agree that chicken strips are a top choice when you visit a quick restaurant. I went on a mission to taste them at fourteen famous spots to see which one wins. It was definitely a lot of meat to try in a short time for this project. Here is my very polite and honest list ranking these popular chains from the bottom to the top.
Burger King Chicken Fries
I know these are technically fries made of chicken and not real strips but they are close enough to include in the list. They have a very specific shape and the taste is mostly just standard fried breading without too much flavor coming through.
Subway Chicken Strips
Subway is famous for sandwiches obviously but you can get these chicken strips to put on them or just eat them plain. They are not fried which means they are definitely softer and don’t have that classic crispy crunch you usually look for.
Sonic Drive-In Jumbo Popcorn Chicken
Again these are more like bites than actual strips so they might not fully count depending on who you ask about it. The chicken itself is okay but they tend to have a little too much breading for how small the meat pieces are inside.
Arby’s Chicken Tenders
Arby’s is the place for roast beef for sure but their chicken tenders are actually a decent option if you go there. They are pretty standard in flavor and sometimes they come out a little drier than I would personally like but they are fine.
Dairy Queen Chicken Strip Basket
This is a whole basket meal that people have loved for a really long time especially because it comes with that country gravy. The tenders are super crispy but sometimes the meat tastes a bit less fresh than the other spots on this list.
Hardee’s/Carl’s Jr. Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders
I was actually surprised that these are breaded by hand in the actual restaurant which is cool to know. They generally have a good crunch and the seasoning is nice though the quality can vary quite a bit from one store to the next.
KFC Extra Crispy Tenders
You kind of expect KFC to have great fried chicken but I found their tenders to be just solidly average compared to the competition. They use their signature original recipe mix which tastes good but the breading sometimes gets soft and greasy way too fast.
Wendy’s Chicken Tenders
Wendy’s doesn’t have a giant chicken menu but these tenders are surprisingly consistent and they have a clean real chicken taste. They are a safe bet if you want something simple but they are not going to blow your mind with massive flavor or spice.
Church’s Chicken Tenders
These tenders from Church’s have a very bold flavor and the breading is unique almost like it has a hint of honey to it. They are usually very juicy inside which I appreciate but sometimes they do taste a bit saltier than I normally prefer to eat.
Jack In The Box Jumbo Jack Strips
I wasn’t expecting much from Jack in the Box because they sell every kind of food but these strips are genuinely good. They are big pieces of meat that are actually juicy with a thin crispy crust that is not too greasy.
Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Strips
People absolutely adore Chick-fil-A chicken so putting them at number four might be a little lower than they expected. The taste is great especially with that pickle flavor but sometimes the breading falls off the chicken which can be quite messy.
Zaxby’s Chicken Fingerz
This is another spot that only focuses on chicken so you know they are going to do it really well. These tenders are always perfectly fried and spiced just right especially if you dip them in that amazing Zax Sauce that comes with the meal.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Tenders
It’s tough not to love the chicken from Popeyes with that amazing buttermilk batter and incredible crunch that they always manage to get. Their tenders are huge and they are packed with so much flavor in every single bite that you really can’t go wrong.
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
I finally found the winner because all this place makes is chicken tenders and nothing else whatsoever. They are consistently perfect because they are made to order and they are always extremely fresh juicy and hot whenever you finally get them to eat.
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