Chicken nuggets hold a special place in the hearts and stomachs of fast food lovers everywhere. These bite-sized pieces of breaded and fried chicken are a quintessential fast food item perfect for dipping in sauce or just popping in your mouth on the go. But not all chicken nuggets are created equal. With so many fast food chains offering their own version of this classic, the question remains who really makes the best chicken nuggets? I decided to find out for myself by trying nuggets from 8 major fast food chains, judging them on flavor texture, and overall enjoyment. Here’s how they stacked up from worst to best.
8. Burger King
The chicken nuggets from Burger King landed firmly at the bottom of my rankings They had a decent flavor, but the texture was severely lacking The breading had minimal crunch and tended to fall off easily. The chicken itself was fairly juicy, but had an almost spongy texture that was unappealing. Overall, these nuggets were forgettable at best. With better options widely available, I don’t foresee myself ordering Burger King nuggets again anytime soon.
7. Wendy’s
Wendy’s chicken nuggets were a slight step up from Burger King, but still left much to be desired. As with Burger King, the chicken itself was fairly juicy but didn’t have much chicken flavor. The breading had a bit more crunch than Burger King, but was quite salty without much other seasoning. While not terrible, these nuggets were still pretty mediocre in both taste and texture.
6. McDonald’s
The OG chicken McNugget from McDonald’s was decent, but didn’t particularly stand out. They had a classic chicken nugget flavor that was mildly appealing in a nostalgic way. The exterior breading had a satisfying crunch, but the chicken itself was a bit rubbery Overall, they tasted like chicken nuggets I ate growing up, but compared to today’s competition they’re nothing exceptional.
5. KFC
KFC’s chicken nuggets were a pleasant surprise, with a peppery breading I enjoyed. The nuggets were plump and had juicy, tender chicken inside. The breading provided a nice crunch without being overdone. My main complaint was that the pepper flavor was a bit too overpowering at times. But overall these nuggets beat out the classic chains, offering more flavor and better texture.
4. Popeyes
Moving into the top 5, Popeyes chicken nuggets were juicy and well-seasoned. The white meat chicken had great flavor. While the breading was also tasty, it had a thicker, mealier texture than I prefer. But combined with the quality chicken, Popeyes nuggets were solidly above average. The flavor and juiciness helped make up for the heavier breading.
3. Chick-fil-A
It’s no surprise that Chick-fil-A, the fried chicken specialists, produces some exemplary nuggets. Their signature seasoned breading works just as well in nugget form, coating juicy chunks of chicken breast. The nuggets had a satisfying crunch and delicious flavors. My only complaint was they were slightly less crisp than others. But overall, you can’t go wrong getting a box of these nuggets with Chick-fil-A sauce.
2. Shake Shack
I had high hopes for Shake Shack’s chicken nuggets and they did not disappoint, earning the number two slot. They looked perfectly fried with a light, crisp breading that contrasted nicely with the tender, juicy meat. The chicken itself had great flavor and wasn’t overwhelmed by breading. My only issue was a slightly bitter aftertaste, likely from older frying oil. But set that aside and these were near perfect nuggets.
1. Zaxby’s
The winner of my chicken nugget tournament was Zaxby’s, which absolutely nailed texture, flavor and enjoyment. Their nuggets, or “chicken fingers” as they call them, were phenomenal. The juicy white meat chicken shone through with just enough crispy breading and light seasoning. Every bite was tender and packed a flavor punch. Zaxby’s knocked it out of the park on all fronts, cementing themselves as the undisputed fast food chicken nugget champions.
So there you have it – Zaxby’s comes out on top for best fast food chicken nuggets, with Shake Shack a close second. While many chains offer decent nuggets, none matched the flavor and texture perfection of Zaxby’s. So next time you get a nugget craving, head to Zaxby’s for fried chicken bliss. Just be prepared to be thoroughly impressed.
The nuggets were flavorful and juicy, with just the right amount of seasoning in the breading.
Erin: While some of the other nuggets leaned on the drier side, these nuggets were moist and would likely pair well with practically any dipping sauce. Each nugget was on the smaller side but packed a lot of flavor into a small bite.
Priyanka: Until I tried Taco Bells chicken nuggets, Chick-fil-As bite-sized chunks were my go-to. Ive had them on multiple occasions, and theyve always tasted consistently good. When eaten fresh out of the box, theyre satisfyingly crunchy, and the chicken is perfectly juicy.
While theyre bite-sized and often thought of as a side dish, I recommend sizing up — I usually opt for the 12-piece pack with a side of waffle fries and Chick-fil-A sauce — and giving them a chance as a main meal.
Cost: $3.99 — excluding tax and tip — for a five-piece order and one dipping sauce.
However, we were invited to taste the new chicken nuggets at an early preview hosted by Taco Bell in New York City in December, so we received complimentary tastings of the nuggets.
The breading was thick and a little bland.
Erin: I thought the nuggets coating was well-seasoned, but the breading was slightly on the thicker side. While they were a good vehicle for one of the chains dipping sauces — such as the Zesty sauce, which is a personal favorite — these nuggets work better as an accompaniment to one of the chains burgers rather than an entrée themselves. Burger King is known for its burgers, after all.
If youre craving chicken the next time you visit a Burger King, I suggest opting for the chains chicken sandwich or one of its chicken-tender wraps.
Priyanka: When I held the chicken nugget in my hand, I could feel its crisp texture and was excited to try it. However, upon taking my first bite, I found the bread coating, although crunchy, was too thick and overpowered the chicken, leaving a slightly salty aftertaste.
I agree with Erin that the chains nuggets are a side order, best enjoyed when dipped in some sweet-and-sour sauce.
Business Insider reached out to Burger King for comment but did not receive a response.
Cost: $3.36 — excluding tax and tip — for a four-piece pack at a Wendys in New York City.
Who Has the Best Chicken Nuggets
FAQ
Which fast food restaurant has the healthiest chicken nuggets?
Chick-fil-A‘s Grilled Nuggets are generally considered the healthiest option among fast food chicken nuggets. They are made with real chicken breast and grilled, rather than fried, significantly reducing calories and fat compared to other options.
What brand of chicken nuggets is closest to McDonald’s?
Pilgrim’s Pride’ Country Pride Tempura Chicken Nuggets are often cited as the closest store-bought alternative to McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets.
Which chicken nuggets taste like Chick-fil-A?
Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks, available at Costco, are often cited as a great dupe for Chick-fil-A nuggets. Many online reviewers say the Just Bare nuggets have a similar flavor and texture, with a crispy exterior and juicy interior. They are also found at Sam’s Club.