I Ordered Chicken Tenders From 9 Fast-Food Chains and Ranked Them From Worst to Best

People really love chicken tacos from fast food restaurants. The crispy crust and the delicious sauce are to die for. People often choose chicken tacos as a fast food or regular meal. Some fast food restaurants have great chicken wraps, but some are not so good.

We researched nine popular chains’ chicken tenders to find the best of the best. In our tests, there were both tough ones and very crispy, golden ones. Let’s take a look at which ones are still good.

1. **Zaxby’s**: There were a few things that disappointed us about the chicken tacos at Zaxby’s. While known for their sauce, the chicken tacos needed more of the juicy flavor one would expect. They felt very dry and covered in too many breadcrumbs, which masked the flavor of the chicken itself. Even with the many sauces they offered, they couldn’t save the dining experience. Only one of the buffalo sauces was decent, the rest felt disappointing overall. This chain talks a big game about chicken, but the tenderloin was underwhelming.

2. **Bojangles**: Bojangles is known for its cookies, but unfortunately, its tender meatloaf is not good. These tenders felt bland and didn’t have the spice flavor that Southern food should have. Their ranch dip was a bright spot, though it couldn’t fix the whole meal. The chicken wasn’t crispy or juicy enough to ever be truly delicious fried chicken.

3. **Wingstop**: Wingstop has a lot of sauces, but for me, the chicken tenders weren’t surprisingly good. They weren’t exactly bad, they just weren’t amazing like their very famous chicken wings. The texture was okay, but the inside needed more juice to make it worth eating again. Even with a lot of dipping in the sauce, the tenders still felt like they had just been added.

4. **Chicken Guy**: Expectations were high for Chicken Guy because of Guy Fieri’s great name. But unfortunately, the Chicken Wrap did not live up to everyone’s expectations. There were 22 sauces to try, which was interesting, but the flavor of the chicken wrap was okay. The chicken inside wasn’t very juicy and the breading didn’t taste great. None of the many sauces really made the chicken wrap special, unfortunately.

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5. **Dairy Queen**: Dairy Queen is known for their ice cream, but their chicken tacos are not good. The crust on the outside was crispy, but the chicken inside felt dry and very much in need of spice. Due to the lack of flavor, the chicken wrap felt like a side dish rather than the main course you ordered. The addition of Texas toast and gravy helped add some much needed flavor to the food. However, the chicken tacos themselves didn’t impress much.

6. **El Pollo Loco**: El Pollo Loco’s tender meatloaf is different because they are not fried per se. They’ve experimented with healthier cooking methods, which is a good thing, but the flavor and texture are underwhelming. Lacking the crispy outside and tender inside texture that many expect, these wraps look more like baked strips. As a lighter option, they may be okay, but they don’t satisfy the craving for crispy chicken.

7. **Chick-fil-A**: Chick-fil-A is highly acclaimed for its other chicken items, but the tenderloin isn’t quite as good. The feel is okay, but the flavor isn’t as intense as other famous dishes.Chick-fil-A’s name-brand sauce makes most things tasty, but it doesn’t quite save these chicken tacos. They weren’t bad, they just didn’t live up to the brand’s high expectations.

8. **Raising Cane’s**: Everyone knows that Raising Cane’s has a loyal following. Their chicken wrap says it all. One bite and you’ll notice the crispy outer skin. The chicken inside is tender and juicy. Their focus is on simple, high-quality chicken tenderloins. This part of the chicken breast is the most tender.Cane’s Sauce sets their dishes apart. The tangy, creamy dipping sauce enhances the flavor of the chicken. It perfectly balances taste and texture. Served with fresh fries and Texas toast, Cane’s chicken tenders are like the ultimate in fast food. Looking for a simple chicken meal? Definitely come here.

9. **Culver’s**: Culver’s may be known for their ButterBurgers. However, they also deserve praise for their chicken tacos. These aren’t your average fast food chicken tacos. They are made fresh right after you order. Each piece is hot and crispy.Culver’s has a thinner, crisper coating. This allows the quality of the chicken to really shine through. Dipping sauces are a highlight at Culver’s. Everything from honey mustard to ranch dressing. The buffalo tacos have a spicy kick that spice lovers love.Culver’s focuses on freshness and flavor. Their tender meatloaf is one of the best in upscale fast food.

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