Claire Thompson
With the number of fried chicken chains growing by the day, it can be hard to decide which one to choose. From KFC, which has over 25,000 outlets in more than 145 countries, to newer chains like Huey Magoo's, there are a lot of options to choose from. Gus's Fried Chicken, which started in Mason, Tennessee, was named the best fried chicken in 2022 by some outlets. The Filipino Jollibee Chickenjoy, which came to the US in 1998, has also developed a cult following. Other popular options include Chicken Guy!, Raising Cane's, El Pollo Loco, and Popeyes.
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What You'll Learn
Fried Chicken Chains Ranked
With the rise of chicken chains, it's hard to keep up with the best places to get your fried chicken fix. From the iconic KFC to newer chains like Huey Magoo's, there are a lot of options to choose from. So, let's get clucking and rank some fried chicken chains.
Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken
This Memphis-based chain has been serving up Southern spicy chicken since 1973. With its humble beginnings in Mason, Tennessee, Gus's has expanded to about 40 locations across the U.S. and won the title of Best Fried Chicken in 2022. Their chicken is made-to-order and hand-battered, with a slight sweetness to balance the spice. The sides are also a standout, with baked beans, slaw, and potato salad made in-house daily.
Jollibee Chickenjoy
Jollibee, a Filipino fried chicken chain, has developed a cult following since its U.S. debut in 1998. With over 1,300 locations worldwide, Jollibee offers a unique combination of fried chicken and spaghetti. The chicken is bone-in, and the spaghetti is served with a sweet sauce made from banana ketchup. It's a match made in foodie heaven for many customers.
Popeyes
Popeyes has become a global phenomenon with over 3,000 restaurants worldwide. Their fried chicken is known for its impossibly crisp skin and juicy, flavorful interior. The perfect blend of Cajun spices makes it a favorite for many. Pair it with mashed potatoes and a fluffy biscuit, and you've got a classic Southern meal.
KFC
Kentucky Fried Chicken, or KFC, is undoubtedly the most well-known fried chicken chain, with over 25,000 outlets in more than 145 countries. The iconic Colonel Sanders and his secret blend of 11 herbs and spices have made KFC a household name. While it may not be the top choice for some in terms of flavor and consistency, it remains a popular option due to its global reach and franchise size.
Checkers (or Rally's)
Checkers, known as Rally's in some areas, is a classic drive-thru chain with a strong following. Their "Fry-Seasoned Tenders" offer a zesty taste with a generous coating of freshly ground black pepper. While the tenders are enjoyable, other chains may outshine Checkers when it comes to fried chicken.
Honorable Mentions
Other chains worth mentioning include Raising Cane's, which is one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in America; Chick-fil-A, known for its sauces; Church's Chicken, with a thick, crunchy crust; and El Pollo Loco, which stands out for its high-quality grilled chicken.
So, there you have it—a ranking of some of the top fried chicken chains out there. Whether you're a fan of spicy, juicy, crispy, or saucy chicken, there's a chain that's sure to tickle your taste buds.
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Chicken Tenders
In 2024, UPROXX conducted a blind taste test to determine the best chicken tenders. The top five, in descending order, were Jollibee, Popeyes, Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane's, and Dave's Hot Chicken. However, the testers noted that the chicken tenders from Raising Cane's were disappointing, and they almost left them out of the ranking altogether. Dave's Hot Chicken, on the other hand, stood out for its distinct cayenne and smoked paprika flavor with a hint of pickle-y brine.
Another taste test by the LA Times also ranked Raising Cane's and Chick-fil-A, along with Kentucky Fried Chicken. Chick-fil-A's tenders were criticized for being greasy and having an odd fluffy texture with overly thick breading. Raising Cane's, on the other hand, has a loyal following due to its focus on tenders, which many people prefer to nuggets because they are likely to be whole pieces of meat.
Other notable mentions include Huey Magoo's, which serves excellent basic chicken tenders, and Chicken Guy!, Guy Fieri's chicken restaurant located at Walt Disney World. Chicken Guy! elevates the classic chicken tender, making it a top choice.
While the best chicken tenders are a matter of personal preference, these restaurants are definitely worth trying if you're looking for a delicious chicken tender experience.
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Chicken Sandwiches
While the title of the best chicken sandwich in the world is hotly contested, there are several chicken sandwich offerings from popular chicken chains that stand out.
One of the most well-known fried chicken restaurants in the world is Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), with over 25,000 outlets in more than 145 countries. While KFC's chicken is delightfully moist, the skin is often described as rubbery rather than crispy. However, the iconic Colonel Sanders and the secret blend of 11 herbs and spices have made KFC a recognisable global brand.
Another popular option for chicken sandwiches is Popeyes, a chain that originated in New Orleans in 1972 and has since grown to over 3,000 restaurants worldwide. Popeyes' bone-in fried chicken is known for its crisp skin, juicy meat, and blend of Cajun spices.
Church's Chicken, which opened its first location in 1952, also offers a notable chicken sandwich. The chain has expanded to 890 locations in 26 states in the US and is known for its thick, crunchy chicken crust.
In addition to these well-known chains, there are several other contenders for the best chicken sandwich. Guy Fieri's Chicken Guy!, located at Walt Disney World, offers excellent chicken tenders. Jollibee, a Filipino fried chicken chain that debuted in the US in 1998, has developed a cult following for its bone-in fried chicken and meat-topped spaghetti. El Pollo Loco, a Mexican-inspired chain, stands out for its high-quality grilled chicken, while Nando's, a Seoul-founded chain, offers chicken sandwiches with their signature peri-peri pepper grown in Southern Africa. Lastly, Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken, which started in Mason, Tennessee, has won awards for its fried chicken and is known for its slightly sweet and spicy flavour.
With so many options available, the best chicken sandwich ultimately comes down to individual preferences for flavour, texture, and ingredients.
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Grilled Chicken
Bojangles, another fast-food chain, offers a lighter grilled chicken sandwich alongside its signature fried chicken options. Chick-fil-A, a beloved chicken chain, offers several grilled chicken options, including sandwiches, wraps, salads, and grilled nuggets. Their grilled chicken sandwich features a lemon-herb marinated boneless breast of chicken with green leaf lettuce and tomato, served on a toasted multigrain bun.
Panera, known for its sandwiches and salads, has recently overhauled its menu to include several grilled chicken options, such as the Chicken Bacon Rancher sandwich and the Grilled Chicken & Avo BLT. Carl's Jr. uses the term "charbroiled" rather than grilled for its chicken sandwiches, but the resulting food is comparable. Their menu includes the Charbroiled Chicken Club Sandwich, the Charbroiled Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich, and the Charbroiled BBQ Chicken Sandwich, which is recommended by dietitians as a healthier option.
Lastly, Jollibee, a Filipino fast-food chain found across the United States, serves tasty grilled chicken alongside unique dishes like Jolly Spaghetti and Palabok Fiesta, a traditional Filipino noodle dish.
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Korean-Style Fried Chicken
While searching for the best chicken place in the world, I came across Korean-style fried chicken, also known as KFC, which is a popular snack and appetiser in Korea. It is often associated with beer and is known for its crunchy texture and sweet, spicy, and sticky sauce.
To make Korean-style fried chicken, you can use a whole chicken cut into pieces or opt for chicken wings, drumsticks, or boneless chicken thighs. The chicken is seasoned with salt, ginger, and black pepper and coated with starch or potato starch powder to create a crunchy texture. It is then fried in hot oil, such as canola oil, for about 7 to 8 minutes, followed by a second shorter fry at a higher temperature to achieve a golden and crisp batter.
The sauce for Korean-style fried chicken is what makes it unique. It is a combination of soy sauce or tamari, brown sugar, rice vinegar, chopped garlic, cornstarch-to-water slurry, gochujang (Korean chilli pepper paste), and sesame oil. The sauce is heated and poured over the fried chicken, or served separately as a dipping sauce. Pickled radishes and cucumbers are popular side dishes to accompany the chicken, providing a refreshing contrast to the oily taste.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many different opinions on the best chicken place in the world. Some sources claim that Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken is the best, while others argue for popular franchises like KFC, Jollibee, or Popeyes.
Some well-known chicken franchises include KFC, Jollibee, Popeyes, Wingstop, Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane's, Church's Chicken, El Pollo Loco, and Nando's.
The best chicken place can be determined by various factors, such as the quality and flavor of the chicken, the variety of the menu, the vibes of the restaurant, and the consistency of the food and service.
Yes, some notable mentions include Huey Magoo's, Chicken Guy!, Buffalo Wild Wings, Checkers, Lee's, and Bojangles. These restaurants have their unique features and specialties that contribute to the diverse landscape of chicken places.
Different cultures and regions have their own unique styles of preparing and serving chicken. For example, Korean-style fried chicken involves double frying for a crisp texture, while Mexican-inspired El Pollo Loco offers grilled chicken, showcasing the diversity and variety of chicken dishes worldwide.
