Who Has the Best Chicken Tenders? A Definitive Fast Food Ranking

Chicken tenders are a fast food staple. The juicy breaded strips of chicken are a crowd-pleasing snack or meal for people of all ages. With so many fast food joints offering their version of chicken tenders it can be hard to know which ones are actually worth your money.

I decided to undertake the tough task of tasting and ranking chicken tenders from 15 popular fast food chains to definitively determine who makes the best chicken tenders. I evaluated each order on metrics like breading texture chicken juiciness seasoning flavors, visual appeal, and overall taste. Price and dipping sauce quality were also considered.

After a lot of chicken tender eating, here is my authoritative ranking of fast food chicken tenders from worst to best:

15. Burger King

Sadly, the chicken tenders from the King of Burgers come in at the bottom of the pack. The breading on Burger King’s chicken tenders is dense and overwhelms the actual chicken. The chicken itself is dry and stringy. The flavor is bland overall. Burger King doesn’t even offer any dipping sauces for the tenders. At around $4 for 4 tenders, they are decently priced but still not worth ordering.

14. KFC

Colonel Sanders isn’t known for his chicken tenders, and for good reason. KFC’s Extra Crispy Chicken Tenders are overly breaded and greasy. The chicken flavor gets lost in the thick breading. While the seasoning features classic KFC notes of black pepper and herbs, the tenders had an off-putting stale oil taste each time I tried them. KFC can stick to fried chicken – their tenders don’t deliver.

13. Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen is obviously better known for its sweet treats than its chicken. The DQ chicken tenders are edible but unremarkable in every way. The chicken itself is fine – not too dry but not juicy either. The interior chicken lacks any real flavor. The exterior breading provides a nice crunch but is similarly flavorless. Overall they are plain and forgettable.

12. McDonald’s

The Chicken McNuggets from McDonald’s are a fast food icon. But when it comes to tenders, McDonald’s comes up a bit short. The breading on McDonald’s Buttermilk Crispy Tenders has a decent crispness but quickly becomes soggy. The chicken tends to be on the dry side. The black pepper flavor in the breading provides a little spice but not enough to make them stand out. They are reasonably priced under $5 for a 4 piece.

11. Wendy’s

Wendy’s uses whole muscle chicken breast for their chicken tenders, so the meat has a pleasant texture. But unfortunately the interior chicken still ends up dry more often than not. The exterior breading crisps up nicely but doesn’t offer much in terms of flavor. A sprinkle of seasoning would help give these tenders more pop. The dipping sauce selection at Wendy’s improves the experience.

10. Arby’s

Arby’s chicken tenders are a clear step up from others on this list. The chicken itself is juicy and flavorful. The exterior coating has an appetizing crispiness. Where Arby’s loses points is the seasoning – the tenders are desperately lacking in any spices or herbs. With some salt and pepper at a minimum, these would be knocking on the door of the top choices. The zesty Arby’s sauces help make up for the bland breading.

9. Popeyes

Popeyes is known for its crispy fried chicken, not tenders. But their chicken tenders hold up relatively well. The chicken is juicy and meaty. The batter strikes a nice crunch-to-tender balance. The seasoning features classic Popeyes southern flavors like black pepper, onion, and garlic. My issue is the seasoning profile changes too much between visits – sometimes great, other times very tame. But overall one of the better options out there.

8. Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A’s chicken sandwich is a bona fide star, but their chicken tenders fail to fully deliver. Visually they look top notch – plump with perfect breading. And the first few bites delight, with hot juicy chicken and signature Chick-fil-A seasoning. But the joy is fleeting, as the tenders quickly become cold and soggy. Chick-fil-A’s stellar sauces almost make up for the inconsistent tenders, but not quite.

7. Carl’s Jr.

Hand-breaded and cooked to order, Carl’s Jr. chicken tenders are a hidden gem. The white meat chicken is hot and juicy. The batter is light and crispy with lots of black pepper baked in. My one issue is they use a bit too much breading compared to chicken. But overall the flavor is there and they are nice change of pace from standard burger fare.

6. Jack in the Box

Jack in the Box is better known for tacos and sandwiches, but their chicken tenders stand out. Offered in 3 or 5 piece combos, they are nicely sized strips of juicy chicken. The batter is crispy without being heavy. Each tender has a tasty blend of spices like garlic, paprika, and chili pepper. At under $4 for a 3 piece, they are reasonably priced as well.

5. Sonic Drive-In

Sonic’s Crispy Chicken Tenders feature a uniquely airy and crunchy cornmeal breading that I really enjoyed. The white meat chicken inside is seasoned well and stays nice and moist. The tenders are the right size – not huge but not nugget-sized either. My only complaint is the chicken flavor is a bit overpowered by the batter. But overall Sonic’s tenders are underrated.

4. Raising Cane’s

Raising Cane’s does chicken tenders and that’s it. So they better do them right. Luckily, they absolutely deliver. Their chicken tenders feature juicy, never frozen breast meat coated in a light crispy batter with hints of spices. The chicken shines through with each tender bite. My only nitpick is the size inconsistency – some tenders are almost nugget sized. But Cane’s chicken tenders deserve their cult following.

3. Zaxby’s

Lesser known outside certain regions, Zaxby’s makes potentially the best fast food chicken tenders out there. Their Chicken Fingerz feature plump, juicy strips of chicken encased in a flavorful seasoned batter that maintains a satisfying crunch. The chicken is fresh and tasty. The batter has bold black pepper and herb notes. I’ve yet to have a bad Zaxby’s tender experience – they are consistently amazing.

2. Popeyes (Spicy)

Popeyes standard tenders are decent enough, but their Spicy Chicken Tenders are phenomenal. Popeyes nails the heat level – spicy enough to feel it but not overpowering. Beneath the cayenne laced batter, the chicken remains juicy and flavorful. The batter has a perfect craggy crispness to it and fantastic Cajun seasoning. The spices sing together in each tender bite. Popeyes spicy tenders are hard to top.

1. Jollibee

The Filipino fast food chain Jollibee takes the crown for best fast food chicken tenders. Their Chickenjoy Tenders feature juicy, delicately seasoned white meat chicken enveloped in a perfectly crispy and flaky batter. Each tender is ultra-crunchy on the outside while remaining moist inside. They have a signature savoriness balanced with hints of sugar and citrus. The batter is uniquely light and almost fried to a Tempura-like texture. From visual appeal to flavor to juiciness, Jollibee does chicken tenders like no other fast food joint.

The Verdict

When it comes to fast food chicken tenders, Jollibee is hands-down the winner in my book. Their uniquely flavorful Chickenjoy tenders set the gold standard that other restaurants continue working towards. Zaxby’s and Popeyes also scored high marks for their seasoned tenders made from fresh chicken. Most major chains like McDonald’s and Burger King disappoint with lower quality chicken and boring flavor profiles. So next time that chicken tender craving hits, seek out Jollibee, Zaxby’s or Popeyes for the best experience!

KFC’s Original Recipe chicken tenders have received mixed reviews. Some find them to be a good size, well-breaded, and flavorful, especially with the Original Recipe seasoning.