Before the chicken tender became the hottest fast-food must-have, there was the humble and hearty chicken nugget.
Because it was small, it was great as a side dish, a snack after work, or, as millennials will remember, the perfect “drunchie.”
One way that fast-food brands can capitalize on chickens current popularity, especially among Gen Z diners, is by starting small and introducing nuggets to their menus.
Taco Bell is famous for its Mexican-style burritos and tacos. On April 24, they brought back their chicken nuggets for a short time. The company plans to make crispy chicken permanent by 2026.
To test the brands latest menu drop and see how its nuggets compare to chains that have been serving them for decades, we tried and compared chicken nuggets from six popular chains.
Heres how the six fast-food chain chicken nuggets ranked, from our least favorite to most favorite.
Cost: $3. 89, not including tax and tip, for an eight-piece pack at a New York City Burger King
People who love fast food all over the world have a soft spot for chicken nuggets. Quick and easy, these little pieces of breaded and fried chicken are the perfect fast food to dip in sauce or just eat on the go. But not all chicken nuggets are created equal. Since so many fast food chains make their own version of this classic dish, the question still stands: who makes the best chicken nuggets? I decided to find out by trying nuggets from 8 major fast food chains and rating them on taste, texture, and overall enjoyment. Here’s how they stacked up from worst to best.
8. Burger King
The chicken nuggets from Burger King landed firmly at the bottom of my rankings They had a decent flavor, but the texture was severely lacking The breading had minimal crunch and tended to fall off easily. The chicken itself was fairly juicy, but had an almost spongy texture that was unappealing. Overall, these nuggets were forgettable at best. With better options widely available, I don’t foresee myself ordering Burger King nuggets again anytime soon.
7. Wendy’s
Wendy’s chicken nuggets were a slight step up from Burger King, but still left much to be desired. As with Burger King, the chicken itself was fairly juicy but didn’t have much chicken flavor. The breading had a bit more crunch than Burger King, but was quite salty without much other seasoning. While not terrible, these nuggets were still pretty mediocre in both taste and texture.
6. McDonald’s
The OG chicken McNugget from McDonald’s was decent, but didn’t particularly stand out. They had a classic chicken nugget flavor that was mildly appealing in a nostalgic way. The exterior breading had a satisfying crunch, but the chicken itself was a bit rubbery Overall, they tasted like chicken nuggets I ate growing up, but compared to today’s competition they’re nothing exceptional.
5. KFC
The chicken nuggets from KFC were a pleasant surprise. I liked the peppery breading. The nuggets were plump and had juicy, tender chicken inside. The breading provided a nice crunch without being overdone. The pepper taste was sometimes too strong, which was my main complaint. Overall, though, these nuggets are better than the old-school chains because they taste better and have a better texture.
4. Popeyes
Moving up to number five, Popeyes chicken nuggets were tasty and juicy. The white meat chicken had great flavor. The breading was also tasty, but I would have liked it to be thinner and less mealy. But when combined with the good chicken, Popeyes nuggets were well above average. The taste and juicy texture made up for the thick breading.
3. Chick-fil-A
It’s no surprise that Chick-fil-A, the fried chicken specialists, produces some exemplary nuggets. Their signature seasoned breading works just as well in nugget form, coating juicy chunks of chicken breast. The nuggets had a satisfying crunch and delicious flavors. My only complaint was they were slightly less crisp than others. But overall, you can’t go wrong getting a box of these nuggets with Chick-fil-A sauce.
2. Shake Shack
I had high hopes for Shake Shack’s chicken nuggets and they did not disappoint, earning the number two slot. They looked perfectly fried with a light, crisp breading that contrasted nicely with the tender, juicy meat. The chicken itself had great flavor and wasn’t overwhelmed by breading. My only issue was a slightly bitter aftertaste, likely from older frying oil. But set that aside and these were near perfect nuggets.
1. Zaxby’s
The winner of my chicken nugget tournament was Zaxby’s, which absolutely nailed texture, flavor and enjoyment. Their nuggets, or “chicken fingers” as they call them, were phenomenal. The juicy white meat chicken shone through with just enough crispy breading and light seasoning. Every bite was tender and packed a flavor punch. Zaxby’s knocked it out of the park on all fronts, cementing themselves as the undisputed fast food chicken nugget champions.
So there you have it – Zaxby’s comes out on top for best fast food chicken nuggets, with Shake Shack a close second. While many chains offer decent nuggets, none matched the flavor and texture perfection of Zaxby’s. So next time you get a nugget craving, head to Zaxby’s for fried chicken bliss. Just be prepared to be thoroughly impressed.
The nuggets were flavorful and juicy, with just the right amount of seasoning in the breading.
Erin: Some of the other nuggets were a bit dry, but these were juicy and would probably go well with just about any dipping sauce. Each nugget was on the smaller side but packed a lot of flavor into a small bite.
Priyanka: Until I tried Taco Bells chicken nuggets, Chick-fil-As bite-sized chunks were my go-to. Ive had them on multiple occasions, and theyve always tasted consistently good. When eaten fresh out of the box, theyre satisfyingly crunchy, and the chicken is perfectly juicy.
While theyre bite-sized and often thought of as a side dish, I recommend sizing up — I usually opt for the 12-piece pack with a side of waffle fries and Chick-fil-A sauce — and giving them a chance as a main meal.
Cost: $3.99 — excluding tax and tip — for a five-piece order and one dipping sauce.
On the other hand, Taco Bell hosted an early preview of the new chicken nuggets in New York City in December, where we were able to try them for free.
The breading was thick and a little bland.
Erin: I thought the nuggets coating was well-seasoned, but the breading was slightly on the thicker side. Even though they went well with one of the chain’s dipping sauces—my personal favorite is the Zesty sauce—these nuggets are better as an appetizer to one of the chain’s burgers than as a main dish on their own. Burger King is known for its burgers, after all.
If youre craving chicken the next time you visit a Burger King, I suggest opting for the chains chicken sandwich or one of its chicken-tender wraps.
Priyanka: When I held the chicken nugget in my hand, I could feel its crisp texture and was excited to try it. However, upon taking my first bite, I found the bread coating, although crunchy, was too thick and overpowered the chicken, leaving a slightly salty aftertaste.
I agree with Erin that the chains nuggets are a side order, best enjoyed when dipped in some sweet-and-sour sauce.
Business Insider reached out to Burger King for comment but did not receive a response.
Cost: $3.36 — excluding tax and tip — for a four-piece pack at a Wendys in New York City.
Who Has the Best Chicken Nuggets
FAQ
Which fast food restaurant has the healthiest chicken nuggets?
Chick-fil-A’s Grilled Nuggets are generally considered the healthiest option among fast food chicken nuggets. They are made with real chicken breast and grilled, rather than fried, significantly reducing calories and fat compared to other options.
What brand of chicken nuggets is closest to McDonald’s?
People often say that Pilgrim’s Pride’s Country Pride Tempura Chicken Nuggets are the best store-bought alternative to McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets.
Which chicken nuggets taste like Chick-fil-A?
People often say that Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks from Costco are a great alternative to Chick-fil-A nuggets. Many online reviewers say the Just Bare nuggets have a similar flavor and texture, with a crispy exterior and juicy interior. They are also found at Sam’s Club.