A Definitive Ranking of Fast Food Chicken Tenders
I am unapologetically admitting that chicken tenders are one of my favorite foods, so I am happy to tell you that today is National Chicken Tender Day.
Because of my love of chicken tenders, I've tried options from a lot of different restaurants, and I like to think I have a justified opinion of each. In honor of today's national holiday, here is my definitive ranking of chicken tenders I've tried at different fast food restaurants.
9. McDonald's
I'm actually not sure if McDonald's even offers chicken tenders anymore in the United States—they still sell them at international locations—but it's a good thing if they don't (and I say this as someone who loves McDonald's).
McDonald's has some of the blandest chicken tenders I've ever tasted. On the unlucky chance they forget your sauce, you may as well through these away, because a dipping sauce is their only saving grace. The texture somehow manages to be soggy yet crispy, and the only seasoning present is light salt and pepper. Just go with their nuggets—at least you'll be satisfied with those.
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8. Chick-Fil-A
Most people love Chick-Fil-A's tenders, and that's not an understatement—on other rankings, you'll probably see it as the top three, without fail.
Whenever I've tried their tenders, they've never tasted fresh, which is strange for Chick-Fil-A. Plus, they have a lot of fat. Any time I get a piece of fat in my chicken, it immediately ruins my appetite, and more than likely, I won't go back to that restaurant for months.
7. Culver's
I can understand why most people would like Culver's tenders. They're usually a good size, and the meat is always tender and fresh. But I just don't like the breading very much. It's not flaky enough, or crispy. It feels like I'm basically eating grilled chicken, which I'd rather go for, since that would be healthier.
6. KFC
I don't have much to say about the KFC chicken tender. It's pretty much a standard, slightly season tender. There's nothing bad about it, but it's not memorable. I wouldn't go out of my way to get them when there are other options that have more flavor and better texture.
5. Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen has the most iconic chicken tender in my life. It was the first restaurant where I had a chicken tender I was obsessed with, and who wasn't at some point? Their chicken tender basket is a great combo of fries, toast and a drink, and the good-quality chicken strip is just the icing on the cake. Sometimes, I'll still dream of dunking that crispy, salty tender into a bucket of barbecue sauce. Looks like I'll have to make a stop at Dairy Queen soon…
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4. Popeyes
Next to Chick-Fil-A, Popeyes is probably one of the most loved fast food restaurants, and I can understand why. These chicken tenders are, hands down, the most seasoned you'll get for an affordable price. Their spicy flavor is flavorful enough it's still enjoyable, and the original flavor is everything you'd want in a classic tender. And don't get me started on the sauces. Popeyes has my favorite assortment of sauces from any restaurant.
3. Bonchon
If you've never heard of Bonchon, it's an up-and-coming Korean fried chicken restaurant. I accidentally came across this restaurant during a walk in my city, and it's since been one of my favorite fast food chicken spots.
The breading on this chicken is unlike any other tender I've had before. Because of that, it's hard for me to explain, but it almost resembles an air-fried tender. Out of every tender listed, you'll get the largest one at Bonchon and the best value (up to 10 tenders) from a small order. My only qualm with Bonchon is that they come only in two flavors: soy garlic and spicy—and the spicy is very hot. With that said, the spicy tenders still have a lot of flavor, so it's worth my running nose and sweating skin.
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2. Dave's Hot Chicken
There's nothing I love more than a spicy chicken tender, and Dave's Hot Chicken is known for supplying one of the hottest (in terms of virality and flavor) on the market. Honestly, it lives up to the numerous TikTok videos raving over it.
It's extremely juicy, and the breading gives the best crunch. With over five different spice levels, I can find the spice level that packs the perfect amount of punch, and their Dave's Sauce is unbelievably delicious and great for cooling down your tongue from any high spices.
1. Raising Cane's
Some argue that Raising Cane's has a bland chicken tender as if it were fried in water. I've never thought that it was flavorless. Sure, it might not have as much as Dave's Hot Chicken or Popeyes, but it still has enough to be satisfying. When I get it hot out of the frier, it almost moves me to tears. It's the freshest chicken I've ever tasted, and I love how the breading is nearly sliding off the meat. And, of course, the Cane's Sauce makes everything—the chicken, the fries and the toast—twice as good.
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