Fried chicken holds a special place in American culinary culture, and fast-food chains across the country compete to offer some of the best and most beloved fried chicken options. From crispy and juicy to spicy and savory, there’s a wide array of choices available. Here’s a look at some of the best fast-food fried chicken in America, highlighting popular chains known for their delicious offerings.
1. Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A is renowned for its signature chicken sandwich and crispy chicken nuggets. What sets Chick-fil-A apart is its commitment to using quality ingredients and a unique cooking method that involves pressure cooking the chicken in peanut oil. The result is a tender, juicy interior with a crispy exterior.
Must-Try Items:
Original Chicken Sandwich: A classic sandwich featuring a breaded and fried chicken breast served on a buttered bun with pickles.
Chicken Nuggets: Bite-sized pieces of breaded and fried chicken breast, available in various portion sizes.
Spicy Chicken Sandwich: For those who prefer a kick, Chick-fil-A offers a spicy version of its classic sandwich.
2. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
Popeyes is famous for its Cajun-inspired fried chicken that’s bold, flavorful, and satisfyingly crispy. Their chicken is marinated in a blend of Louisiana spices before being battered and fried to perfection.
Must-Try Items:
Spicy Chicken Sandwich: A crunchy chicken fillet topped with pickles and spicy mayo on a toasted brioche bun.
Bonafide Chicken: Hand-battered and breaded chicken pieces served with your choice of sides and biscuits.
Chicken Tenders: Tender strips of fried chicken available in mild or spicy versions.
3. KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken)
kfc” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener” title=”KFC” data-wpil-keyword-link=”linked”>KFC is one of the most iconic names in the fried chicken world, known for its secret blend of 11 herbs and spices. The original recipe chicken is seasoned and breaded before being deep-fried to golden perfection.
Must-Try Items:
Original Recipe Chicken: The classic KFC chicken featuring the secret blend of herbs and spices.
Extra Crispy Chicken: For those who prefer an extra crunch, KFC offers an extra crispy version of its chicken.
Famous Bowl: A comforting combination of KFC’s chicken, mashed potatoes, sweet corn, and gravy.
4. Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
Raising Cane’s focuses solely on chicken fingers, offering a simple menu centered around this beloved item. Their chicken fingers are made with premium chicken tenderloins, marinated, hand-battered, and cooked to order.
Must-Try Items:
The Box Combo: Includes four chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast, coleslaw, and Cane’s sauce.
Chicken Finger Sandwich: A sandwich featuring three chicken fingers tucked into a buttery Kaiser bun.
5. Zaxby’s
Zaxby’s specializes in chicken fingers, wings, and salads with a Southern flair. Their chicken is breaded and cooked to order, and they offer a variety of sauces for dipping.
Must-Try Items:
Big Zax Snak Meal: Includes chicken fingers, Texas toast, and crinkle-cut fries.
Wings & Things: A combination of chicken wings, chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast, celery, and dipping sauce.
6. Church’s Chicken
Church’s Chicken serves up Southern-style fried chicken with a focus on bold flavors and hearty portions. Their chicken is hand-battered and fried in small batches for optimal flavor and crispiness.
Must-Try Items:
Original Chicken: Church’s classic fried chicken pieces available in various meal options.
Texas Tenders: Tender strips of chicken served with a honey-butter biscuit and your choice of sides.
7. Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits
Bojangles’ is known for its Cajun-spiced fried chicken and made-from-scratch buttermilk biscuits. They offer a variety of meal options featuring their flavorful chicken.
Must-Try Items:
Supremes Combo: Chicken tenders served with a biscuit, fixin’, and a drink.
Homestyle Tenders: Tender strips of chicken served with a dipping sauce and biscuit.
8. Wingstop
While primarily known for its chicken wings, Wingstop also offers bone-in chicken options that are marinated and cooked to order.
Must-Try Items:
Classic Wings: Choose from a variety of flavors for your wings, ranging from mild to atomic.
Boneless Wings: Boneless chicken pieces available with your choice of sauces.
9. Slim Chickens
Slim Chickens offers hand-breaded chicken tenders and wings with a focus on fresh ingredients and Southern flavors.
Must-Try Items:
Tender Plate: Chicken tenders served with Texas toast, dipping sauce, and your choice of sides.
Buffalo Chicken Wrap: Grilled or fried chicken tossed in Buffalo sauce and wrapped in a flour tortilla with lettuce, tomato, and ranch dressing.
10. PDQ (People Dedicated to Quality)
PDQ emphasizes fresh ingredients and hand-battered chicken tenders. They offer a variety of sauces for dipping.
Must-Try Items:
Crispy Chicken Sandwich: A hand-breaded chicken breast served on a toasted brioche bun with pickles and mayo.
Hand-Breaded Tenders: Crispy chicken tenders served with your choice of dipping sauce.
Conclusion
The best fast-food fried chicken in America offers a range of flavors, from classic Southern-style to spicy and innovative. Whether you’re craving a crispy chicken sandwich, tenders, or wings, these popular chains provide delicious options for satisfying your fried chicken cravings. Remember to enjoy these indulgences in moderation as part of a balanced diet.