Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. That's it! This sandwich wasn't at all overhyped. But it was absolutely one of the best chicken sandwiches ever made. Return to the pot. The sheer variety of tenders, as well as how delicious they are, put KFC in the top spot for the tenders category. Unless Boston Market revamps their menu, upgrades their chicken quality, and launches an impossible-to-ignore advertising blitz, you'd have to imagine more and more locations will be shuttered in the months and years to come. The recipe has changed several times over the years, so we tried out a few copycat recipes before settling on a final version. So, next time you are in a gas station or convenience store, make sure to look around to see if they have a KKC counter. When you're finished, the roux should be thick but smooth. However, Popeyes has become ever more popular in recent years, with long lines of people waiting to eat the chain's chicken. KFC's mac and cheese is thinner and more saucy, like the childhood stovetop favorite, while Popeyes was clearly going for a more solid, baked style of mac and cheese. But it's not just the quality of the chicken that seems to be causing the demise of Boston Market, it's the fact that you can find rotisserie chicken in almost every grocery store these days. And there was one category in which the two restaurants tied price. Fried chicken is complicated. The instant flakes are easy to incorporate into our hot liquid, so they turn out perfect every time. If you're not into spiced food (not exactly spicy, but just loaded with various spices), then maybe Popeyes won't get your vote. If you can get past the texture, though, the flavor isn't all that bad. Both KFC and Popeyes have very good coleslaw offerings. These biscuits are buttery and flaky, and glazed in sticky honey butter heaven. The smooth, thin potatoes and gravy tasted almost like what your grandma would serve at Thanksgiving. $20.00. Of course, there's always the possibility of one having a special deal allowing you to make your $10 go further. Popeyes doesn't have quite as far of a reach and is in only 30 countries worldwide. While both places offer mashed potatoes, the consistency of KFC's version is bland. However, instead of getting two legs and a thigh like at Popeyes, we got two thighs and a leg, which gave us slightly more meat. The peppers are the perfect complement to their crispy chicken. If you like spicy, flavorful chicken, you'll love Krispy Krunchy Chicken (KKC). Pasta has the same carb content as a serving of cheese, but it is nearly as fat as cheese. Popeyes wins. At KFC, a 12-piece tenders meal, with 3 large sides, 6 sauces and 6 biscuits is $34.99, while the equivalent at Popeyes 12 tenders with 2 large sides and 6 biscuits will cost you $32.99. KFC's Secret Recipe fries have a nice spice blend on them, but the fries need some salt, desperately. Drain the potatoes and garlic. They're also flaky, and retain just the right amount of moistness, so they're not drying in the mouth, like KFC's. All that's left to do to make our gravy is to add the liquid to the hot roux. As a bonus, instant potato flakes have a long expiration date, and you can feel pretty secure about keeping a box on-hand for last-minute or emergency situations. It's the sort of place that you'd try for the novelty of the KFC comparison, and find yourself pleasantly surprised with the flavor to the point of frequenting again. If there were 11 herbs and spices mixed in with the salt, we couldn't detect them. Even if their parking lots are terribly designed, that doesnt take away from the fast food joints success, running more than 2,200 locations worldwide. There's also a pretty straightforward pot pie, with chicken, peas, carrots, potatoes swimming in sauce and topped with a crust. The skin is never rubbery or burnt. We were able to make this dish with a stick of butter, flour, milk, salt, pepper, beef and chicken bouillon cubes, and a packet of instant mashed potato flakes. The chicken is meaty, never stringy or dry, and the crispy Cajun coating is what you'd expect to find in a Southern food joint. You wouldn't think that mashed potatoes made from powdered potato flakes could be so good, but they really are. Overall, we were impressed with the quality and flavor of what we ate at Popeye's. Start by making the gravy. Their perfectly seasoned chicken is deep fried twice to deliver crunchy, juicy wings that are some of the best you'll ever have. Does the bliss of these biscuits make up for their iffy chicken? At KFC, a 3-piece meal with 1 side, 1 biscuit and 1 drink is $8.99, while the same meal at Popeyes is $9.89. Sandwich Only: $3.29. They were flakey outside and soft inside. To get to the bottom of which is best, we tried mashed potato sides from six fast-food chains. And with "meatless Mondays" gaining traction and vegetarianism continuing to be a talking point, fast food restaurants have realized they need vegetarian options. The Idahoan brand we picked up uses 100 percent Idaho potatoes, and they really do taste just like mashed potatoes made from scratch. We found nobody standing in line and nobody at the drive-through when we got to KFC during the noon rush hour, so we had no wait to make our order with the cashier. Another Redditor claims the gravy is just a packet of seasonings and powder, mixed into water no fryer drippings required. Just one: chicken fingers. As at Popeyes, the only other menu item we could afford with our $10 was an extra biscuit for $1.19. While they didn't have spicy chicken available, they did have extra crispy chicken. 2 piece Combo Meal (1 Breast, 1 Wing, Individual Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Biscuit, Medium Drink): $5 Fill up (Chicken Breast, Larger Mashed Potatoes, Biscuit, Cookie, Medium Drink): Extra Crispy Strips The chicken tenders you can eat as a kid or an adult, with no shame. However, Popeyes was the clear winner when it came to food quality. Add the bouillon-infused water to the pan, whisking constantly to prevent any clumps from forming. Popeyes, on the other hand, offers mashed potatoes that have no pork in them, which is a big plus for vegetarians. The spice level was just right without being too fiery for those unaccustomed to spicy food. If it's chicken wings you crave, look for the nearest Bonchon. KFC has restaurants around the world and has been in the chicken business for over seven decades, making it a clear option. Now that KFC has reported they're serving sides by the scoop instead of by the container, you can really hack the menu to make some creative dishes. According to FastFood Geek, "The bun was large and pillowy, yet sturdy enough to handle the large breast of chicken and super schmear of mayo without any noticeable sog.". Overworking the potatoes turns them gummy and starchy, but under-mashing them creates unseasoned lumps. It's also perfect for those who just want a little variety. Let's take a closer look at some of the key factors to help us decide. But we had high hopes for the macaroni and cheese offerings at KFC and Popeyes, and both leave the consumer longing for a lot more. Fancy or fast? You use your hands, you expect to get a little messy, but when it's good fried chicken, nothing else matters. And compared to the rest of their chicken offerings, it's a surprising letdown. As a carrier of Pepsi products, the closest choice to the Sprite we ordered at Popeyes was Sierra Mist. It's either Soy Garlic, Spicy, or Half N' Half. Where Church's redeems themselves is with their biscuits. The gravy was tasty and contained meat, green peppers, and pepper, but the potatoes themselves were the fakest of fake. Combo (8 or 12 piece, Waffle Fries, and Drink). They also craft all their sauces and salad dressings every day. But unlike Champs, KKC is scrumptious. If you're watching your fat and sodium, you may want to be mindful of eating this full meal. It delivered on your standard mashed potatoes KFC mashed potatoes are classic. It's a great bite and it really helps the meal to flow and get your palate ready for that next bite of chicken. We weren't even finished paying yet before it was waiting for us. While some of these other restaurants' potatoes tasted fake or instant, Boston Market's tasted like they used real potatoes. Or at least something very similar. Today choose joy and go get some.". By clicking Sign Up, you also agree to marketing emails from both Insider and Morning Brew; and you accept Insiders. If you live in Florida, then you know PDQ is where you can find some of the best fast food chicken in the country. Don't worry, Chick-fil-A fans, there's no need for angry letters. KFC takes the Chicken Nuggets round, fair and square. Copyright 2023 Fast Food Menu Prices. Offering drumsticks and thighs to fried chicken lovers all over the world, KFC is all about promotions and special meal deals, but their full-priced combos are also a great option for an affordable, filling, and beautifully greasy meal. They lacked the lumpiness of real, homemade potatoes, but they'll hit your nostalgia spot straight-on. 8 Pieces Extr Crispy Chicken with 2 Large Mashed Potatoes, Large Gravy, Large Coleslaw & 4 Biscuits. The breading really shines on the breast strips. You are here: The Sprite also has more sugar in it than the Sierra Mist we got at KFC. This Louisiana-style kitchen adds a flare to its chicken and sides that KFC has never quite been able to outdo. KFC's non-chicken piece mains are a bowl or a pot pie. Overall, two restaurants are similarly priced and you can expect the same value from both, so we're calling this one a tie. People are serious about their drumsticks and nuggets, so please, do tell: which chain is your king on your list? Add prepared potatoes, garlic and salt. It truly depends on the location and the time of day. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, partially covered, for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes and garlic are fork-tender. Yes, and we actually thought it was better than the original (more like the KFC of our childhood). We know it's good, but it's not to die for. However, the wait for the food was a minute and 12 seconds. They're certainly not bad, because it's hard to make bad fried chicken, but they're just not that exciting. Combo (2 Pieces, Side, Biscuit, and Drink): Family Meal (8, 12, or 16 pieces with Sides and Biscuits): Spicy Chicken Tenders If youre not in the mood to bite off the bone, youll love these tenders with a kick. It was the talk of the town or at least, it was the talk of social media. They were fluffy and just the right amount of lumpy, which made the $2.59 "regular" size pretty hearty. TKK offers three fried chicken flavors: Original, Crispy Mild, and Crispy Spicy. Employee Video Shows How KFC Mashed Potatoes Are Really Made Mashed 1.26M subscribers Subscribe 8.7K 878K views 1 year ago #KFC #Food #MashedPotatoes Watch this video to see how KFC. Redditors who have worked at Popeye's say that it's a solid shortening, and an announcement from Popeyes indicates that it contains palm oil or palm kernel oil. Don't worry; we won't judge you if you turn a few scoops of mashed potatoes and gravy into your main meal instead of enjoying it as a side. On the bone or in a bun? The point is that this dish has been on the KFC menus for many years. When you can get a perfectly cooked bird at Costco for $4.99, why would you venture to Boston Market for a more expensive and less appetizing meal? We like to make a little indentation in the mashed potatoes with the back of a spoon to give the gravy a place to pool. Prices and selections offered may vary by location. But I had a KFC biscuit recently and it was way better than I remembered. Popeyes does offer delivery through their app or website, making it convenient for everyone to get their hands on that spicy chicken sandwich. Of course, many surmise that Lee's Famous Recipe is the famous recipe the 11 herbs and spices one. And don't forget to add their salsa to kick things up a notch. We're not talking about fresh potatoes out of the ground. KFC may remind you more of the mashed potatoes you make for yourself at home. Popeyes tenders are moist and flavorful, leveraging that custom blend of Cajun spices. KFC relied on potato wedges for many years, but in 2020, they released their Secret Recipe fries, vying for a chance to win over fry lovers' hearts. While Popeyes does consistently delivery stronger flavors, if you prefer the simpler flavors of KFC, there isn't too much difference in price. That and the KFC dryness boosted Popeyes to a 7.8-7 W. Mashed potatoes. To make it even more decadent, the bowl is drizzled with KFC's homestyle gravy. Popeye's mac and cheese has a thinner, more saucy texture, whereas KFC's mac and cheese has a more solid, baked texture. In total, we spent $9.88. You'll want to whisk the entire time to prevent any dry clumps from forming, and to keep the flour from accidentally burning to the bottom of the pan. However, don't expect to find traditional wings when you peruse their menu. For Popeyes' non-chicken piece mains, you can choose between a flounder sandwich or popcorn shrimp. These booming franchises have competed against each other for years, fighting tooth and nail to remain the provider of the worlds favorite fast food chicken. If you end up having to spend valuable time and extra money on gas to get a good deal, it's no longer a good deal. It might seem like cheating to make such a flavorful side dish with a handful of ingredients that come out of pouches or bags. Then, we learned from Popsugar that KFC mashed potatoes and gravy is made from powder packets, and we felt a little better. A fried chicken dinner is a hard hitter when it comes to calories, fat, cholesterol, carbs, and sodium. If you want to bring on the heat, their Atomic wings deliver. Luckily, we don't have that problem here. We figured out how to make a copycat version of their mashed potatoes and gravy, and it's easier that you might think. Plus, they couldn't be easier to make; just heat up some water or milk, stir in the flakes, and top it off with butter. Each chain's fries had a distinct flavor, texture, and shape. (Yes, Popeyes makes the best fried chicken sandwich, but that's . Bonchon is very different, but very good. There comes a time during every fried chicken meal when your palate calls out for something tangy, sweet and cold to help break up the grease and weight of fried chicken and biscuits. Lee's is good. KFC is certainly good. So whats a guy or gal to order when youre in the mood for a little Louisiana flare? We decided we'd embark on a journey of discovery to both KFC and Popeyes to determine which one you should go to with your $10. We thought the gravy was tasty enough to stand on its own, too; it would be great served over pot roast or as the sauce for Swedish meatballs. Tenders Meal (12 Tenders, 2 Large Sides, 4 Biscuits, 6 sauces): Tenders and Popcorn Big Box Meal (3 Tenders, Popcorn, Individual Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Cole Slaw, Biscuit, Medium Drink): Go Cup (2 Extra Crispy Tenders and Wedges): Extra Crispy Chicken The only complaint KFC ever received about the Original Recipe was that it wasnt crispy enough for some folks, thus the birth of the Extra Crispy option. Fried potatoes with salt and ketchup makes for a tasty snack any day. Despite the pieces of chicken being smaller at Popeyes and containing two legs and a thigh (instead of two thighs and a leg), Popeyes' meal is higher in calories and fat. So, whats their secret sauce? Boston Market has been known for their homestyle meals and amazing rotisserie chicken for decades. It deserved every ounce of praise it got. It was so good, we're considering using this recipe to make mashed potatoes and gravy as a Thanksgiving side dish this year. Whereas KFC uses a straightforward, homestyle type of gravy,Popeyes relies on their Cajun roots and tops their mashed potatoes in a perfectly spiced gravy. If you're looking for traditional mashed potatoes you might want to skip Popeyes, since it breaks the mold with its Cajun gravy. You might expect most of that sodium to come from the gravy but it's actually the potatoes that are the culprit. If any of this makes your tummy turn, skip KFC's mashed potatoes for good and just opt for the coleslaw. Chick-Fil-A Grilled Chicken Cool Wrap Review, Best Fast Food Options For Fried Chicken Meals, The Best Rooftop Bars in Chicago Our Guide and Recommendations, Nice Restaurants in Houston 8 Best Places to Eat With a View, Ranked: The Top 10 Most Popular Fast Food Chains in USA, Practical Tips: How To Find Good Places To Eat When Traveling, What Time Does Zaxbys Close Operation Info & Guide, Original Recipe Chicken The classic fried chicken offered at KFC is the Original Recipe and is often ordered in a bucket meal, combo, or. BHT is generally recognized as safe by the FDA but if you're leery about chemicals in your food, maybe consider scratching KFC's mashed potatoes from your next order. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium-high and cook it until it starts to bubble and turn a light tan color. Like Champs, KKC is often found in convenience stores and gas stations. The sandwich was nearly impossible to get, selling out everywhere. Even the Sprite was good. But you pretty much just got one scoop of potatoes for that, and the least amount of gravy from all the places we visited. In the past, we've found Popeyes' oil to taste odd. The only other item we could purchase with our remaining funds was another biscuit for $1.29. After making the test batch, we completely understand why KFC doesn't take the time to boil and mash real potatoes, so we didn't feel the need to do so, either. The ingredients list is actually pretty simple when you get down to it. Add a little bit of your own seasoning if you want to make it a little less bland. Our feelings about our KFC order weren't as nice as our feelings about our Popeyes order. However, Popeyes also has nuggets and some seafood options like a cajun flounder sandwich and popcorn shrimp meal that Church's doesn't offer. The spicy chicken sandwich at Popeyes costs about $3.99, whereas the chicken sandwich at KFC costs about $4.99. Combo (Sandwich, Hash Browns, and Drink): $4.49. KFC tries to pass its seasoned potato wedges off as french fries, but we don't think that counts. Then, venture out to one of the other restaurants further down on this list to get your chicken. What used to be a dependable spot to find juicy, tender chicken and other delicious offerings is now an inconsistent eatery where the chicken is often more rubbery than juicy, and the seasoning is more bland than ever. While both options are rich, at least the Popeyes options offer non-chicken lovers a slight departure from Popeyes' main menu. Its gravy is almost the consistency of potato. Chick-Fil-A Nutrition (Updated: May 2023), Fast Food Chicken Prices from KFC, Popeyes, and Chick-fil-A, Popeyes Announces New Chocolate Beignets and Raspberry. Only the true connoisseurs can distinguish KFCs homestyle recipe from Popeyes. The 3-Piece Chicken Combo was the KFC menu item most similar in price and content to the 3-piece combo from Popeyes. For consistency's sake, we ordered the smallest option at every restaurant (called "small," "individual," or "regular") and tried the potatoes and gravy separately and together to grade both parts. Fortunately, KFC does offer gluten . Popeyes has plenty on its menu, offers nuggets, tender, fried chicken, fries, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, biscuits, red beans and rice and mac and cheese, along with three different types of desserts blackberry cheesecake fried pie, cinnamon apple pie and a chocolate chip cookie. ), their traditional bone-in wings are their only other chicken offering worthy of a hearty recommendation. There are more than 16,000,000 vegetarians living in the United States, according to a 2018 Gallup poll. According to KFC's ingredients list, their mashed potatoes contain an array of additives such as maltodextrine, mono- and diglycerides, sodium bisulphite, and BHT. And it's also a great palate cleanser before moving onto other sides! When visiting, your best bet is to keep things simple and load up on the chicken and biscuits, as none of the sides are a true standout. When asked for the best way to reheat a KFC biscuit, one Redditor replied, "Throw away the KFC biscuit, drive to Popeyes and order biscuits. They're called Kentucky Fried Chicken for a reason, but there are some other solid options. We wanted to like Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits just because of its catchy name. But if we're going off of texture and consistency, Popeyes takes this. Calling KFC's mashed potatoes with gravy a meal would be pretty accurate, considering an individual side portion packs in an alarming 530 milligrams of sodium. They also contain plenty of salt, so you don't have to add any salt or seasonings (although, you can also seek out low-sodium options, if you prefer). From the Mild flavor (a toned-down version of their Original Hot), to their amazingly buttery Garlic Parmesan, to their sweet yet tangy Hawaiian, there's something for everyone at Wingstop. And what about the side dish options? In fact, it might be blasphemous to say, but it may actually be better. Popeye's is fully dependent on their sauces, and Chick-fil-A isn't even fried chicken. In other words, they're a one-trick pony with a trick that isn't even that impressive. Unfortunately, if you eat everything in this chicken dinner, you will have consumed more fat and sodium than the recommended daily amount (via the Food and Drug Administration). In the 90 years since, hundreds of other chicken chains have joined the flock. Each restaurant we tried was ranked in Restaurant Business's top-100 chain restaurants of 2017. There's a difference between tasting better and having better texture. But, in the end, quality may make you happier than quantity. If you want to stop by a Popeyes chain expecting a non-meat bite, you're left with sides or a bun with fixins, but no protein. Overall, we weren't impressed with the quality or flavor of the meal at KFC. Throw Chick-fil-As nuggets into the mix, however, and its a whole different story. If PDQ begins expanding across the country, they'll give the top chains a run for their money. What makes El Pollo Loco chicken special is it is extremely tender and juicy, but never too soft or slimy. They said, "KFC chicken tenders are absolutely amazing. We're not talking about fresh potatoes out of the ground. Redditors, too, have found KFC's chicken to be in deep decline over the past few years. So, for $0.10 less than at Popeyes ($9.78), we could get mainly the same items but slightly more meat. With over 50 locations in the Sunshine State, and more than a dozen more across New Jersey, New York, and the Carolinas, PDQ is serious about their chicken quality. Keep in mind that Popeyes takes pride in its Southern food so the menu also features po'boy sandwiches and jambalaya. But aside from the chicken, Popeyes wins over hearts with its signature southern sides, offering rice, red beans, jambalaya, and spicy French fries unlike any other fast food fried chicken joint around. To date, Bonchon has over 300 locations and they are gaining quite a following of fans around the globe and rightfully so. Oh, and we found a chicken feather sticking up from the chicken skin, which wasn't terribly appetizing. It has also been shown to disrupt the endocrine system of animals, resulting in developmental effects and changes in thyroid activity. There are a lot of theories that KFC uses the drippings at the bottom of the pressure fryer to add flavor to their gravy. where does sarah lancashire live now,
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