The Truth About Chick-fil-A’s Chicken Strips
I’ve tried pretty much everything on the Chick-fil-A menu, and I have to be honest – the chicken strips aren’t their strongest offering. When compared to other items on their menu they fall short in several areas that might surprise you.
What You Get
For around $7 (prices vary by location), you’ll receive either a 3 or 4-piece order of chicken strips. These are Chick-fil-A’s version of the classic chicken tender that you’d find at most fast food restaurants.
The Disappointing Reality
Here’s what I’ve found disappointing about Chick-fil-A’s chicken strips
- Thinner chicken portions – The actual meat inside is noticeably thinner than what you get in their sandwiches or nuggets
- Less juicy – That signature Chick-fil-A tenderness and juiciness is somewhat missing
- Greasier breading – The coating feels and tastes a bit more greasy than their other breaded items
- Value concerns – Three strips for around $7 isn’t exactly a bargain in the fast food world
That said, these strips aren’t terrible. They’re about on par with chicken tenders you might get at an average bar or diner. The problem is that they just don’t live up to the high standard Chick-fil-A has set with their other menu items.
How They Rank Among Other Chick-fil-A Chicken Items
In a comprehensive ranking of Chick-fil-A’s chicken offerings, the chicken strips landed at position #14 out of 15 items. Only the Hash Brown Scramble Burrito ranked lower! This is pretty telling about where these strips stand in the Chick-fil-A universe.
For context, here’s how some of the top chicken items at Chick-fil-A ranked:
- Nuggets – The undisputed champion
- Deluxe Chicken Sandwich – A close second
- Original Chicken Sandwich – The classic that started it all
- Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich – A surprisingly strong contender
- Cobb Salad – Yes, even their salad ranks higher than the strips!
Why Chick-fil-A’s Nuggets Are Superior
If you’re looking for that signature Chick-fil-A chicken experience in a dippable format, the nuggets are a far better choice. Here’s why they earned the #1 spot:
- Made from real chunks of chicken breast (not reformed meat)
- Perfect size – small enough to dip but thick enough to stay juicy
- High-quality meat with no fat or connective tissue
- Well-seasoned with a mild salty kick
- Perfect breading that complements rather than overwhelms
- Great value at under $7 for an 8-count (in most locations)
The nuggets simply deliver on everything that makes Chick-fil-A special, while the strips fall short of the mark.
Better Alternatives on the Menu
If you’re craving Chick-fil-A but want something better than the strips, here are some alternatives to consider:
For Chicken You Can Dip
Obviously, the nuggets are your best bet. They ranked #1 overall for good reason! If you want something healthier, the grilled nuggets (#10 on the ranking) are a decent alternative, though they’re essentially just sliced-up grilled filet.
For Sandwich Lovers
The Original Chicken Sandwich (#3) and Deluxe Chicken Sandwich (#2) are both excellent choices. The Deluxe adds lettuce, tomato, and cheese to the original, which many find elevates the experience.
If You Want Something Spicy
The Spicy Deluxe (#6) is your best bet. While the regular Spicy Chicken Sandwich (#12) was criticized for lacking real heat and being dry, the Deluxe version with its added toppings fixes many of these issues.
When Might You Still Want to Order the Strips?
Despite their lower ranking, there are a few scenarios where the strips might still make sense:
- For kids – Children sometimes prefer the straightforward shape and texture of strips
- When sharing – They’re easy to divvy up among friends
- For dipping enthusiasts – If you mainly care about having a vehicle for Chick-fil-A’s excellent sauces
- When you want something familiar – If you always order strips elsewhere and want to stick with what you know
Are They Really That Bad?
I wouldn’t say they’re “bad” – they’re just not as good as almost everything else on the Chick-fil-A menu. The chain has set such a high standard with their other chicken items that the strips feel like a letdown by comparison.
In fact, the official ranking noted that “lower on the list doesn’t necessarily mean ‘bad'” and that “it’s impossible to make a bad choice” at Chick-fil-A. Even at their worst, their food is generally better than standard fast food.
The Bottom Line
If you’re wondering “are Chick-fil-A chicken strips good?”, the answer is: they’re okay, but there are much better options on the menu. For the same price or less, you could be enjoying their top-ranked nuggets or one of their excellent sandwiches.
My recommendation? Skip the strips and go for the nuggets if you want that dippable Chick-fil-A experience. Your taste buds (and wallet) will thank you!
FAQ About Chick-fil-A Chicken Strips
Why are Chick-fil-A’s chicken strips ranked so low?
The strips are thinner, less juicy, and have greasier breading compared to other menu items. They also don’t offer great value for the price.
Are they worth trying at least once?
Sure, if you’re curious! But don’t make them your first Chick-fil-A experience if you’ve never eaten there before.
What sauces go best with the strips?
Despite their flaws, the strips still work well with Chick-fil-A’s signature sauces. The Chick-fil-A sauce, Polynesian sauce, and honey mustard are all popular options.
Are the grilled strips any better?
Chick-fil-A doesn’t actually offer traditional grilled strips – they have grilled nuggets, which are essentially just cut-up pieces of their grilled chicken filet. These ranked #10, making them a better option than the regular strips.
How do they compare to other fast food chicken strips?
They’re better than some competitors but not as standout as you might expect given Chick-fil-A’s reputation. They’re more on par with average chicken strips you’d get elsewhere, while other Chick-fil-A items truly stand out in their categories.
So there you have it – the honest truth about Chick-fil-A’s chicken strips. They’re not terrible, but with so many amazing options on the menu, why settle for just okay?
Zaxby’s tenders were salty but flavorful.
When I took a bite, I thought these chicken tenders tasted salty. This made sense because after looking at each restaurants nutrition information online, it seemed as though the Zaxbys chicken contained the most sodium.
Despite that, though, they were pretty flavorful. Although they appeared to have less seasoning on them than the ones I got at PDQ, I still tasted a hint of pepper. They were cooked perfectly too, and very tender.
However, because of the salty flavor, these tenders were my least favorite of the three I tried.
I really enjoyed the chicken tenders from Chick-fil-A.
I enjoyed the Chick-Fil-A chicken tenders because they were crispy and had the right amount of seasoning.
They were also reasonably priced for such a decent portion size.