Born in 1930 in Kentucky USA, KFC is the granddaddy of fastfood fried chicken. In the 90+ years since, hundreds of other fastfood chains have joined the flock specializing in chicken, mostly fried chicken. I’m not sure of these rankings are the same in Germany but in the US, here’s the list to refer to:
#12 Bojangles
Bojangles chicken is very greasy and the coating is also not crunchy, plus the meat is very dry. Really, this one’s forgettable and you might as well order their sandwich or salad bowls.
#11 KFC
KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) used to be very good as far as fried chicken is concerned but they’ve had inconsistencies over the years. The breading on their Original Recipe is usually flavorful, but the meat can be quite greasy. And if you opt for the Extra Crispy, it is too crispy sadly. Sometimes the meat is overcooked. We still love their mashed potatoes and gravy though.
#10 Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken
Many might surmise that Lee’s Famous Recipe is the KFC recipe. Truth is, Lee’s is definitely in the range of flavors of KFC but it has a bit more pepper and the quality of the chicken is much more consistent compared to the latter.
#9 Zaxby’s
Zaxby’s always ranks in the middle when it comes to chicken dishes. If you’re in the mood for a sandwich, the Kickin’ Chicken on Texas Toast is great. It’s this along with their bone-in wings that are worthy of ordering though.
#8 Church’s Chicken
Church’s Chicken delivers one of the best breading on fried chicken. But that’s really all there is. The chicken quality isn’t so good. Although there is the biscuits – Church’s biscuits are out of this world and a must try.
#7 TKK Fried Chicken
TKK started in Taiwan and it offers 3 flavors of fried chicken – Original, Crispy Mild, and Crispy Spicy. Their chicken is always fresh-tasting, and you can choose from fried chicken, tenders, wings or sandwiches.
#6 Krispy Krunchy Chicken
If you like spicy chicken that is packed with flavors, you’ll love Krispy Krunchy Chicken (KKC). You get crispy bone-in chicken that is meaty, never dry, plus just the right crispness in their Cajun coating.
El Pollo Loco does not specialize in fried chicken but instead citrus-marinated chicken that is fire-grilled. You can get whole pieces with tortillas or burritos. But go for their 2, 3 or 5-piece meals with chicken and you’re assured of very tender and juicy chicken, that is never slimy or rubbery.
#3 PDQ
PDQ is serious about the quality of their chicken. PDQ stands for People Dedicated to Quality, and their 100% natural chicken is steroid-free, hormone-free and never frozen. They focus on nuggets, tenders, sandwiches and salads. A must try is the Honey Butter Chicken Sandwich which features crispy chicken dipped in honey butter homemade sauce and served on brioche buns.
#2 Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A chicken is fried to perfection. The nuggets are also a tasty particularly when dipped into their Polynesian sauce. It’s also worth mentioning that the service and cleanliness of this restaurant is empeccable.
#1 Popeyes
If you are hankering for some spicy fried chicken, then there’s only Popeyes to satisfy your craving. Their chicken is deliciously crunchy on the outside and unbelievably juice inside. Plus the quality is always consistent. For the longest time they’ve been known for their bone-in fried chicken. But a few years ago they released the Popeyes Chicken Sandwich and it quickly became a nationwide sensation.
