Battle of the Birds: Which Chicken Sandwich Rules Your State?

There is really only one big question that has plagued the nation for decades (besides whether the dress was blue or gold): What is the best fast food fried chicken? Chick-fil-A? Popeyes? KFC?

We're taking a look at the culinary rivalry among fast food giants as we answer which chicken sandwich – from classic to spicy and everything in between – reigns supreme in each state, examining flavor preferences, brand loyalty, and how regional cuisine influences fast food choices.

So, which chicken sandwich ruffles your state's feathers? You may (not?) be surprised.

Key Takeaways:

• Chick-fil-A is the clear favorite, with 53% of respondents choosing it as their preferred chicken sandwich restaurant.

• A significant portion of respondents (43%) eat a fast food chicken sandwich monthly, with only 14% consuming them weekly and less than 1% daily.

• Classic and Spicy flavors are almost equally popular, with 33% and 35% respectively, indicating a strong preference for traditional and mildly adventurous flavors.

• Most respondents (60%) are somewhat loyal to their favorite chicken sandwich brand, occasionally trying others, while 32% frequently try different brands.

• Social media hype has an influence, with 46% of respondents being somewhat influenced and 5% being very much influenced by it.

Finger-Lickin' Favorites: States' Top Fried Chicken Spots

Every state has its go-to spot for this beloved American classic, from good old fast-food giants to regional favorites (those small local shops are almost always unbeatable!), but only one can take home the title of top bird – even beyond the sandwich!

Before we get into the details of the best bird sammies themselves, here's a breakdown of America's top fried chicken restaurants spots overall:

Chick-fil-A: Eat Mor Chikin

Chick-fil-A is the clear favorite across the nation, winning in a vast majority of states. Are you shocked? Even though they are open one day less a week than their competitors, it seems they don't need to worry about profit and pleasing their customers.

Known for its tender chikin' (and their cow's bad spelling), savory sauce, and kind service, Chick-fil-A rules in:

• Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and New Hampshire

Popeyes: A Flavorful Contender

With its Cajun flair and famous jingle, Popeyes is a strong competitor – and wins the savory craving battle in several states. Their juicy, flavorful chicken and mouth watering biscuits are loved in:

• Arizona, Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Montana, and Rhode Island

KFC: Colonel's Classic

KFC, the original fried chicken chain known for its secret blend of 11 herbs and spices, remains a beloved favorite. States that can't resist a bucket of crispy chicken and their classic sides are:

• Kansas, Kentucky, and North Dakota

Wendy's: A Surprising Favorite

Wendy's might be more known for its burgers and Frostys, but in a few states, it's the go-to for fried chicken. Those nugs? And that club sandwich? They've found a special place in:

• Alaska, Maine, and Wyoming

Raising Cane's: The Chicken Finger Specialist

Raising Cane's is famous for its chicken fingers and special Cane's Sauce – both of which are top tier. This fast-growing, Louisiana-originated chain is the top choice in:

• Hawaii

Right? We thought it was funny, too.

Jack in the Box: An Unexpected Winner

Their eclectic menu (which includes tacos and burgers alongside chicken) has a following for its fried chicken in one state:

• Idaho

Fried, Spicy, or Classic: Which States Are Most Obsessed With Fried Chicken Sandwiches?

So when it comes to the frequency of enjoying fried chicken sandwiches, which state wins? Believe it or not, it's Florida, where nearly half (44%) of residents indulge in a chicken sandwich weekly. Texas follows closely with 41%, and Tennessee takes third place with 36%. North Carolina and Virginia also show a love for these sandwiches, with over a quarter of respondents (29% and 28%, respectively) eating them each week.

While weekly eaters make up 14% of the national average, the majority of Americans enjoy a chicken sandwich on a monthly basis – 43% to be exact. Interestingly, 42% of people eat them rarely, and only 1% claim they never partake. This data highlights a trend towards balance, with people making indulgent (worthy) choices on a basis they feel comfortable with.

In the battle of the brands, one name obviously dominates: Chick-fil-A. With 53% of respondents favoring their chicken sandwich over others, it's clear that marketing's cheeky cow encouraging the world to eat more chicken captured the hearts (and stomachs) of Americans. Popeyes, known for its spicy version and viral chicken sandwich wars, still holds a modest second place with 21%, and other choices not yet mentioned include McDonald's (4%), Burger King (4%), and Culver's (3%).

Cluck Yeah: Crispy Classic Wins

Although the spicy chicken sandwich is preferred by 35% of respondents and wins the flavor category, classic variants are not far behind at 33%. Other popular styles include extra crispy (15%), honey mustard (6%), Cajun (4%), Buffalo (4%), Nashville hot (2%), and barbecue (1%).

Of course, no fried chicken sandwich experience is complete without one – or four – tasty sides. French fries are the top accompaniment (a mild "duh"), ordered by an insanely high 71% of respondents. Mac and cheese comes in second (6%), with coleslaw (5%), onion rings (5%), and potato wedges rounding out the top five (3%).

When it comes to loyalty to their favorite chicken sandwich brands, 60% of Americans say they have a favorite, but are open to trying other brands occasionally. About 32% experiment with different offerings, and the remaining 8% rarely stray from their preferred cluck choice.

Reel Influence

Social media hype plays a varying role in influencing people's decisions to try new fried chicken sandwiches. For 49% of respondents, social media does not influence their choices at all (again, we know it's the Chick-Fil-A cow's billboard charm), but a close behind 46% are somewhat influenced by online buzz, ads, and other social marketing tactics.

While only 5% say they are very swayed by social media trends and recommendations, there's no question that the power of digital marketing and viral food trends shape consumer behavior in massive ways across the U.S. Whether it's a catchy ad, a funny reel, or a viral video showing how to hack fast food apps to get meal deals for cheap, social media helps customers fork over their cash – period.

Let's be honest: America's ongoing love affair with fried chicken sandwiches will likely never end. Whether you're a fan of one of the fast food giants' approach to fried chicken or take a smaller chain approach, there's a uniquely original and beloved fried chicken spot in every corner of the country.

No matter what each state's preference is, the truth is that perfectly golden and battered fried chicken can bring people together, one crispy bite at a time – except on Sundays.

Methodology

This survey was conducted in June 2024 among a survey pool of 2,000 Americans, with 66% identifying as women, 31% as men, and 3% as non-binary. The median age of respondents was 36 years.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.