A Definitive Ranking of US Fried Chicken Chains

Having grown up in the South, I truly believe that fried chicken is an art form. At its best, fried chicken is transcendent, the crisp of the browned, fried breading perfectly complementing the juicy meat inside. But bad fried chicken can be really, really bad. We’re talking soggy breading, dry meat and a fried blandness that makes you consider ordering more side dishes so you can fill up on mac and cheese instead of being subjected to yet another bite.

Fast food fried chicken may not be the pinnacle of the category, but some chicken-focused fast food chains out there make undeniably delicious chicken. At others, the chicken quality is questionable. After a lifetime of taste-testing fried chicken from various chains, I’ve decided to rank some of the most popular fast food fried chicken restaurants from worst to best. Is this a scientific, data-based ranking? No. This ranking is based on my personal taste and vibes alone. But whether you agree with my opinions or hope I fall into some particularly hot fryer oil, this is Paste’s definitive ranking of US chicken chains.

7. Zaxby’s

I will admit that my view of Zaxby’s is tinged with low-grade religious trauma; in high school, when I went to church with my particularly religious friends, the male youth pastor with questionable intentions would invariably take us to Zaxby’s after the service, where we would gnaw on dry, bland chicken breast while indulging in deep shame over our 14-year-old crushes. “What if my future husband doesn’t love me once he finds out I kissed Jake after the football game last Friday?” some poor girl would ask while I pretended the soggy breaded chicken filet atop my Zalad wasn’t prompting my slow descent into atheism. Who knows? Maybe if Zaxby’s chicken tasted better, I’d still have a shot at getting into heaven.

6. Bojangles

In fifth grade, one of my classmates who was less sheltered than I was explained to me that “Bojangles” meant “testicles.” I’m still not entirely sure if anyone actually calls them that, but even after all these years, the association lingers. But that’s not why Bojangles is coming in at such an unfortunate slot in this ranking. My main issue with the chicken at Bojangles is the fact that the Cajun seasoning is so sweet. I love a sweet and salty meat moment, but fast food fried chicken is not the right place for it.

5. Raising Cane’s

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Raising Cane’s is for adults with child-like palates who refuse to eat green vegetables. The fact that this chain rests its laurels entirely on tenders and not on bone-in chicken—which is obviously juicier, more flavorful and just better than tenders in every way—is truly wild to me. Grow up and order a drumstick like someone who knows how to file their taxes.

4. Chick-fil-A

Even before Chick-fil-A’s anti-LGBTQ scandals emerged, I always felt like there was something ominous about the brand. The robotic tone of the workers, the ads that trivialized the horrors of the cattle industry, the truly god-awful waffle fries… It all made me uneasy. “MY PLEASURE,” intoned the drive-thru cashier in such an intense way that it made me wonder what employees were subjected to if they dared say “you’re welcome” instead. Admittedly, though, the chicken itself is good, if you can manage to ignore the very Southern brand of creepiness the brand imbues.

3. Hattie B’s Hot Chicken

I love fried chicken in all its forms, but it’s at its best when it’s so spicy that you start sweating in between bites. Hattie B’s is one of the best chains for fiery fried bird, whether you opt for a sandwich or bone-in chicken. Many fast food chicken joints have a “spicy” option, but it’s rarely actually that spicy at all. Hattie B’s offers a range of heat levels so that even the most spice-inclined amongst us doesn’t have to suffer through mouthful after mouthful of under-seasoned poultry.

2. KFC

It may not be a popular take, folks, but it’s the truth: KFC’s chicken is delicious. I’ve written before about the KFC Famous Bowl, which I still believe is fast food’s greatest achievement, but you don’t have to be a bowl food person to get on board with the brand’s chicken offerings. Honestly, anywhere you can order an entire bucket of fried chicken is a place that understands me and my needs, and the bone-in chicken’s ratio of crispy breading to juicy meat is a testament to modern-day food engineering.

1. Popeyes

During my last year of college, I lived 0.3 miles from the nearest Popeyes, and when my boyfriend at the time broke up with me, I survived off of a daily two-piece chicken meal for about a week and a half before I returned to my regularly scheduled food programming of Little Caesar’s and Trader Joe’s sriracha baked tofu. That week and a half was a particularly delicious one, partially because I regained the freedom I’d lost in a mildly toxic relationship, but mostly because of Popeyes’ chicken recipe, which I’ve tried and failed to replicate. If your health insurance doesn’t cover therapy, Popeyes’ chicken may be worth looking into in the wake of your next tragic life event.

Samantha Maxwell is a food writer and editor based in Boston. Follow her on Twitter at @samseating.