Who Has the Best Popcorn Chicken? Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Crispy Chicken Fix

Are you ever in the freezer aisle, looking at dozens of different kinds of popcorn chicken and not sure which one will taste the best? Or maybe you want that perfect bite-sized chicken from a fast food place but don’t know where to go? I’ve been there too, my friend. So, I decided to learn all about popcorn chicken to find out who really does have the best popcorn chicken.

Whether you’re looking for restaurant options, frozen brands for quick home cooking, or even plant-based alternatives, I’ve got you covered! Let’s crunch our way through the ultimate guide to finding your perfect popcorn chicken fix.

Fast Food Champions of Popcorn Chicken

KFC: The Original Popcorn Chicken King

Despite rumors floating around in early 2023, KFC’s beloved popcorn chicken hasn’t completely disappeared from menus! While it’s true that KFC did remove the popcorn chicken combo from their menu during their 2023 shakeup (along with Kentucky fried chicken wings Nashville hot sauce, strawberry lemonade, and chocolate chip cookies) the actual popcorn chicken itself remains available.

You can still enjoy KFC’s famous popcorn chicken in two ways

• As a topping on their popular Famous Bowls
• A la carte at select locations

The confusion came from news stories that didn’t make it clear that only the combo was being taken away, not the popcorn chicken itself. So KFC popcorn chicken fans, don’t worry—your favorite small treats are still available!

Other Fast Food Options

When it comes to getting your popcorn chicken fix, several other chains offer their own versions:

• Popeyes: Known for crispy, well-seasoned popcorn chicken with a distinctive Cajun kick
• Chick-fil-A: Offers nuggets that many consider comparable to popcorn chicken
• Sonic: Their Jumbo Popcorn Chicken has a loyal following
• Dairy Queen: Offers popcorn chicken as both a standalone item and in basket meals
• Jack in the Box: Their version comes with various dipping sauce options

Top 9 Frozen Popcorn Chicken Brands Ranked

There are times when frozen popcorn chicken is the best thing to have when you don’t want to leave the house. But which ones are actually worth buying? After a lot of testing, here is the final list, from worst to best:

9. Great Value (Walmart)

The bottom of the barrel, unfortunately. Even though these are made with chicken breast pattie fritters, they are disappointingly:

• Completely flavorless
• Slimy inside
• Bland breading
• Overall terrible texture

Definitely a hard pass, even for the budget-conscious.

8. Weaver

Weaver’s popcorn chicken is just plain weird. While it does have:

• A decent crispy exterior
• Moist white meat chicken
• Reasonable texture

The flavor is completely baffling – it doesn’t match anything on the ingredient list and leaves you confused rather than satisfied.

7. Pilgrim

Pilgrim’s offering falls squarely in the realm of mediocrity:

• Limp breading without crispiness
• Overwhelmingly salty with no other flavors
• Spongey texture that barely resembles chicken

Not horrible, but definitely not worth buying again.

6. Morning Star (Vegan Option)

The surprise contender! Despite being plant-based, Morning Star managed to rank ahead of several actual chicken options:

• Impressively crispy breading
• Deep-fried texture that satisfies the crunch craving
• Pleasant spicy aftertaste
• Not juicy but avoids being dry

While it’s obviously not chicken, it’s a solid option for vegetarians or those looking to reduce meat consumption.

5. Kirkwood (Aldi)

Kirkwood offers a middle-of-the-road experience:

• Good crunch factor
• Decent flavor with a salty profile
• Authentic chicken taste
• Unfortunately becomes somewhat mushy
• Needs dipping sauces to truly shine

Not bad for the price point, and would work in a pinch.

4. Perdue

Perdue’s all-white meat popcorn chicken looks promising but has some flavor imbalances:

• Thick, crispy breading (a major plus!)
• Strong black pepper flavor
• Lacks salt to balance the spiciness
• Bland chicken inside
• Authentic chicken texture

Good, but requires condiments to balance the flavors.

3. Tyson Any’tizers

Tyson earns a bronze medal with their focus on quality chicken:

• Real chunks of boneless, skinless chicken breast
• Authentic, hand-made feel
• Juicy, large pieces of chicken
• Thin breading that lacks crispiness
• Minimal seasoning

The emphasis on real chicken quality pushes this option into the top three.

2. Good & Gather (Target)

Target’s house brand surprisingly claims second place:

• Crispy, golden batter
• Juicy white meat chicken
• Perfect balance between breading and chicken
• Simple but effective salt-forward flavor
• Authentic fried chicken feel

A solid choice that over-delivers on quality and taste.

1. Koch Foods

The undisputed champion! Koch Foods popcorn chicken won with:

• Perfectly crispy batter
• Moist, boneless skinless chicken breast
• Balanced seasoning with salt, pepper, and paprika
• Ideal texture throughout
• No flaws or weaknesses

Koch Foods offers the complete package that makes it worth seeking out specifically.

Making the Most of Your Popcorn Chicken

Dipping Sauce Pairings

What’s popcorn chicken without great dips? Here are some perfect pairings:

• Classic Ranch: Creamy and cooling, works with everything
• Buffalo Sauce: Adds spicy kick
• Honey Mustard: Sweet-tangy perfection
• BBQ Sauce: Sweet, smoky complement
• Sweet & Sour: For an Asian-inspired twist

DIY Popcorn Chicken Meals

Turn your popcorn chicken into a complete meal with these ideas:

1. Popcorn Chicken Bowl: Layer mashed potatoes, corn, gravy, and popcorn chicken with cheese
2. Popcorn Chicken Tacos: Wrap with lettuce, cheese, and your favorite taco toppings
3. Asian-Style: Toss in sweet chili sauce with sesame seeds
4. Buffalo Chicken Salad: Top a green salad with buffalo-sauce coated popcorn chicken
5. Loaded Fries: Pile on fries with cheese, bacon bits, and popcorn chicken

Nutrition Considerations

Let’s be honest – popcorn chicken isn’t health food, but some options are better than others:

If you’re watching your intake, consider:

• Baking instead of frying frozen options
• Choosing brands with real chicken pieces rather than processed
• Pairing with veggies instead of fries
• Controlling portion sizes

Final Thoughts

After all this popcorn chicken research (it’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it!), I’ve found that the best option really depends on what you’re looking for:

• Restaurant Experience: KFC still holds the crown for widely available popcorn chicken
• Frozen Convenience: Koch Foods is the clear winner, with Good & Gather as a strong runner-up
• Plant-Based Option: Morning Star surprised everyone by beating out several real chicken options
• Budget Pick: Kirkwood from Aldi offers decent quality at a lower price point

At the end of the day, the perfect popcorn chicken comes down to personal preference. Do you prioritize crispy breading? Juicy chicken? Seasoning? Convenience? Whatever your popcorn chicken priorities, there’s definitely an option out there that’ll satisfy your cravings.

So next time you’re standing in that freezer aisle or deciding which drive-thru to hit, you’ll be armed with the knowledge to make the best popcorn chicken decision possible. Your taste buds (and anyone you’re sharing with) will thank you!

What’s your favorite popcorn chicken? Do you agree with our rankings or think we missed something important? I’d love to hear about your popcorn chicken experiences!