Who Has the Best Chicken Tenders? The Ultimate Fast Food Showdown in 2024

Are you craving some crispy juicy chicken tenders but don’t know where to go? You’re not alone! I’ve been on a finger-lickin’ mission to find out exactly who has good chicken tenders in the fast food world. And let me tell ya not all tenders are created equal!

After hitting up drive-thrus across the country and consuming way more chicken than my doctor would probably recommend, I’ve put together this definitive guide to the best (and worst) chicken tenders out there right now. So grab some dipping sauce and let’s dive in!

The Cream of the Crop: Top-Tier Tenders

Raising Cane’s: The Undisputed Champion

If you’re looking for chicken tender perfection, Raising Cane’s is where it’s at. This Southern belle has been making its way north for good reason – these tenders are absolutely worth the hype!

What makes Raising Cane’s so special:

• Never-frozen breast meat marinated for a full 24 hours
• Hand-battered in restaurant and fried to order
• Perfectly juicy interior with a light, crispy exterior
• Simple but effective seasoning with hints of salt, garlic and onion powder
• A slight buttery aftertaste with a hint of lemon on the backend

The best part? Raising Cane’s only does chicken tenders (plus sides like fries, slaw and that heavenly Texas toast). When you only make one main item, you better do it right – and boy, do they ever!

Their famous Cane’s Sauce deserves a special mention too. This magical mix of mayo, ketchup, Worcestershire and spices adds the perfect umami punch to every bite.

Bojangles: The Surprising Contender

Coming in hot is Bojangles with their perfectly seasoned tenders. These bad boys sport a light-orange tinted, Corn Flake-like crust that delivers big on flavor.

What stands out:

• Bold blend of Cajun-inspired seasonings
• Perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and buttery notes
• Thick breading that stays crispy without being overwhelming
• Substantial chunks of white meat chicken

If you want tenders with a bit more personality and spice than the average offering, Bojangles brings serious flavor to the table.

Chick-fil-A: The Reliable Classic

Chick-fil-A’s Chick-n-Strips continue to be a fan favorite, and for good reason. They’re consistently delicious with that distinctive Chick-fil-A flavor we’ve all come to love.

Why they’re great:

• Tender, juicy white meat chicken that practically melts in your mouth
• Breading with rich floral black pepper notes and a hint of sweetness
• Simple but effective marinade that gives them a unique appeal
• Quality control is usually on point (though occasionally inconsistent)

Many Chick-fil-A lovers actually prefer the nuggets, but don’t sleep on these strips – they’re bigger, juicier, and offer more chicken per bite!

Solid Contenders: Worth Your Money

Dave’s Hot Chicken: The Spice King

Dave’s Hot Chicken is relatively new to the chicken scene but making major waves. Their tenders come in seven different spice levels, but “Hot” hits that perfect sweet spot.

What makes them special:

• MASSIVE size (sometimes as big as a small foot!)
• Incredible flavor journey: initial heat kick → sweet notes → smoky finish
• Perfectly crispy exterior with juicy interior
• Addictive spice blend that keeps you coming back for more

The only downside? These things are almost TOO big. But is that really a problem? I think not!

KFC: The Colonel’s Pride

KFC’s Extra Crispy Tenders might not be revolutionary, but they deliver a solid chicken tender experience that satisfies that classic craving.

What works:

• Well-seasoned with earthy black pepper, salt, and garlic
• Addictive sweet aftertaste
• Audibly crunchy breading with a light airiness
• Substantial size for the price

Many chicken tender lovers wish KFC would offer their Original Recipe blend as tenders instead of just the Extra Crispy variety. Still, these are reliable and tasty enough to earn their spot.

Popeyes: The Divisive Option

Popeyes is a bit of a mixed bag in the tender department. Their Spicy Tenders rank considerably higher than their Mild version, with a significant difference in flavor profile.

The spicy version offers:

• Bold cayenne kick on the backend
• Great blend of garlic and onion notes
• Buttery elements throughout
• Substantial crunch factor

The mild version, however, tends to fall flat for many taster testers. Their newly released Chicken Dippers (thin strips designed for dipping) are an interesting addition but can be mostly breading with little meat.

Skip These: The Bottom Tier

Sonic: The Disappointment

Oh, Sonic. We love your drinks, your unique drive-in experience, and even your fries… but your chicken tenders? Not so much.

The issues:

• Bland, under-seasoned flavor
• Texture reminiscent of frozen grocery store options
• Small size compared to competitors
• Lacking in crisp factor

If you’re at Sonic, stick to what they do best – the drinks and sides. The tenders are passable for picky kids but won’t satisfy a true chicken tender enthusiast.

Arby’s: The Peppery Puzzler

Arby’s chicken tenders (or “fingers” as they insistently call them) present a paradox. They’re decent in size and shape, but there’s one major issue: they’re aggressively peppered.

The problems:

• Overwhelmingly peppery for “plain” tenders
• Often greasy and over-fried
• Inconsistent quality between locations
• Strange burnt aftertaste in some batches

As one taster put it, “I’d rather have a mouthful of pepper with Arby’s chicken tenders than whatever Popeyes made.” Damning with faint praise indeed!

Others Worth Mentioning

Several other chains have tenders worth noting:

• Culver’s: Great quality chicken but bland execution
• Dairy Queen: Better when sauced (try the Honey BBQ Sauced & Tossed)
• Long John Silver’s: Unique airy batter but with a slight fishy taste
• Rally’s/Checkers: Flavorful fry seasoning but extremely greasy
• Jollibee: Unique sweet-sour profile with light, crispy breading

What Makes a Great Chicken Tender?

After sampling countless tenders, I’ve identified the key factors that separate the good from the truly great:

1. Quality of chicken: Real, juicy breast meat is non-negotiable
2. Breading texture: Should be crispy without overwhelming the chicken
3. Seasoning balance: Flavorful without being too aggressive
4. Freshness: Made to order vs. sitting under a heat lamp
5. Dipping sauce game: Great sauces can elevate even decent tenders

The Bottom Line

If you’re serious about chicken tenders, Raising Cane’s and Bojangles should be your top priorities. Their commitment to quality, freshness, and flavor puts them ahead of the competition. Chick-fil-A and Dave’s Hot Chicken follow closely behind with their distinctive offerings.

When you’re craving chicken tenders but don’t have access to the top-tier options, KFC and Popeyes (specifically the spicy version) will satisfy your craving. Just steer clear of Sonic and Arby’s unless you’re truly desperate!

What’s your favorite fast food chicken tender? Do you agree with my rankings? I’m always up for a chicken tender debate – these are opinions I take very seriously!

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go run a few miles to work off all this chicken I’ve consumed in the name of research. The things I do for my readers!