Fast food chains across the country are getting a lot more business than usual, I’m sure. Because of this sudden influx of customers, I would like to present you a comprehensive list of the best and worst chicken tenders in fast food.
Now I know what you’re thinking:
“Alexander, what the actual hell?”
Well, dear reader,
Cabin Fever is one helluva thing.
Last Place: Popeye’s
I hate Popeye’s with a passion. Their chicken has ALWAYS been dry whenever I ordered it back home. Now mind you, it was founded in New Orleans (hence the cringey slogan “Louisiana Fast”), but it was absolutely awful in the state it was made. How is this possible??? I am not sure, but I can assure you one thing: Popeye’s has never done well in either customer care or food tastiness.
On the tasty meter, I will give Popeyes 1/5 Yums.
KFC
I haven’t had too much experience with KFC, so I have to put it near the bottom of the list (or top, depending on your perspective). I’ve had it before like twice and it was pretty decent. A lot of my friends back home testify that it’s probably one of the best—if not the king—of fried chicken. That being said, this blog is about chicken tenders and the time I had a KFC chicken tender it was pretty okay. That’s all I’ve got to say about KFC to be honest. I’ll give it 3/5 Yums mostly due to friend acclaim.
McDonalds
I didn’t even know they served tenders.
?/5 Yums
Raising Canes
Another Louisiana-founded chain (see? I told you Louisiana was known for food), but this one doesn’t suck. The Cane’s here in town is pretty good, but the ones back home are probably the best in the country. The tenders are treated with such care and are cooked to absolute perfection. The tenders are pretty bland without some salt, but overall their tenderness (semi-pun intended) is perfect, making each bite satisfying, nearly justifying the $15 price tag for a Box Combo.
Cane’s used to be a sign of status in high school. If somebody bought Canes, they were the BMOC.
Canes is nearly perfect. Earning a 4/5 Yums only because it isn’t heavenly at every chain.
Sonic Drive-Thru
While I had no clue they made chicken tenders, Sonic makes a clear competitor for 1st place among the higher-ranked tenders. While not as tender as Canes, Sonic delivers some pretty solid, warm, and comfy chicken (in fried variety). While I would easily rate their slushes a 5/5 Yums, I’m not in the Slushie business, my job lies within chicken. Their chicken is pretty decent, though my only complaint, once again, is the seasoning. That being said, I would never decline some Sonic if a buddy offered.
Also, if you guys know the bellhop named Sheldon, make sure to thank him for working so hard. That guy’s always there when I go and manages to keep a upbeat and friendly attitude. I respect his hustle.
Anyways Sonic Drive-Thru gets a solid 3.5/5 on the Yums scale.
Dairy Queen
Now HERE is a king of fried chicken tenders. Tender, crisp, seasoned—it’s ALL THERE! DQ chicken tenders manage to remain super tasty without sacrificing tenderness or the breading used to fry it. The tenders come as a full meal even, fries and a drink (optional) included. DQ knows what the people want, and what they want is good tenders. I have had DQ for three nights in a row now. Mostly out of desperation and avoidance of big stores like Hy-Vee and Walmart, but also because chicken tenders from DQ are so comforting after working hard or just relaxing.
Dairy Queen earns a well-deserved 5/5 Yums.
If Chick-Fil-A’s chicken were tenders they’d also make a 5/5 but alas.
A Royale With Cheese 
Alex,
I have to agree that Popeyes chicken is dry and I am not much of a fan myself. I haven’t had KFC since I was a kid.. probably for obvious reasons and I try to stay away from McDonald as much as I can, anymore. Yes, when I was a wonder in my college years I, unfortunately, ate McDonalds probably once a week. Mostly because of all my drinking shenanigans, because we all know how good a McChicken is right before you pass out from a night out.
Anyways, I agree Dairy Queen has some of the best fast-food chicken strips. But in all honesty, have you tired Culver’s chicken strips? They are so good! The breading is light but very favorable. The meat is juicy and always cooked fresh. A basket runs at about $10 for 4 strips, some crinkle fries, and a drink. But sometimes just the four strips are enough to keep me full because they are pretty massive. And that’s about $5. I suggest honey mustard for your dipping sauce, but that’s your choice! Culver’s chick strips are definitely saved for special occasions when I’m running errands by myself.
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Culver’s makes chicken tenders?!? Well if their tenders are just as good as their burgers, I may have to revise my list. I think I know what I’m getting for dinner tonight.
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You are right, Jasmine, dipping sauces are an important part of the equation.
When my kids were younger and we lived in West Virginia, we would sometimes get uncooked chicken tenders from a frozen food delivery service. They were a lot more work than standard tenders because they still need to be fried, you couldn’t just stick them in the oven to cook. But our eldest’s friends came to love these and called them Super Chicken, a name that has stuck even though our former teen is now married and living in Canada with his wife.
It’s always interesting when we write about food to include the context about why these foods matter to us and when we eat them. It’s always the story that goes with the food that makes it interesting.
If you haven’t watched Anthony Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown” on Netflix, there has never been anyone better at combining storytelling and food.
Jasmine, this comment is for you, too.
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