If we're to name one universally loved food, it will surely be fried chicken. For most Filipinos, this simple dish is a symbol of celebrations. Perhaps that's one reason we dub it comfort food, as we have always associated it with positive feelings and memories. Its familiar taste, flavorful aroma, and crisp sound are enough to send us into a happy spiral.
Another great thing about fried chicken is that it is readily available. But besides the classic taste that we're all familiar with, many culinary fusions nowadays add a twist to this dish. Now, if you're ready to binge on some tender, crispy, and tasty fried chicken, read on as we provide you with some recommendations and a helpful buying guide fact-checked by nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales.
Quick List - Top Fried Chickens
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
Commonly available fried chickens can differ from one another in terms of presentation and type. While they're all guaranteed to give you a mouthwatering meal experience with their taste, a particular type can be more suited for certain situations.
Among the commonly available fried chicken types, this kind is one you'd love to munch on when you're in the middle of a trip or when you suddenly crave fried chicken. These fried chickens are deboned, so they are less hassle to eat, making them ideal for your quick snacking needs.
However, compared to other types of fried chicken, boneless ones are less common, as not all shops or restaurants offer them. Since they are carefully deboned, they also tend to have a higher price point than bone-in fried chicken variants.
Unlike other types of fried chicken sold, regardless if you buy a dozen of this, it only comes with the wing part. This is perfect for those who are not fond of eating other chicken parts, like the breast. Many people enjoy munching on chicken wings because they have a better meat-to-bone ratio.
They are also a great pick if you need good finger food that you can eat without quickly getting overindulged. Unlike drumsticks and chicken breasts with leaner meat, chicken wings have less meat, but they remain tender and suitable to be eaten as finger food while watching your favorite sports game.
If you’re looking for something ideal for sharing, there are also types of fried chicken sold as a whole. These either come as a literal one whole chicken fried at once or as individually-chopped chicken parts that make up a whole.
Since an order of this type will let you have assorted parts of the chicken, it is suitable for sharing with your family or friends. You can also use it as a handa for celebrations, or if you're simply not in the mood to cook for dinner.
Fried chickens can also be bought in different quantities or serving sizes. Shops and restaurants sell fried chickens per piece, dozen, or bucket. Your purpose of ordering should determine which quantity or serving size you should opt for.
If you just want to satisfy your cravings, there are ones you can buy per piece. These are usually sold at restaurants and paired with a serving of rice or pasta. Although less common, some shops also sell ones in individual packaging, as they are meant to be eaten as a snack.
On the other hand, if you need one that you can share with your partner over dinner, there are fried chickens you can buy per half dozen or as a dozen. Meanwhile, if you're looking for something meant for sharing, or one you can serve at celebrations, some shops sell per bucket of 10 or more.
Aside from the classic fried chicken that we are all familiar with, there are various fried chicken shops and restaurants that add their own spins to the classic dish. If you want to experience a feast on your palate, consider trying out these other flavors that you might enjoy.
Various unique flavors are being offered in known shops and restaurants nowadays. Suppose you want to go on a gastronomic adventure. In that case, some of the flavors you can try for starters are garlic Parmesan, honey, sriracha, salted egg, BBQ, and Yangnyeom.
Before ordering, it is also best to check how a particular restaurant takes orders and delivers its products. Some shops have official websites or own applications where you can place orders. They would usually have an in-house delivery service, too that only ships store-exclusive foods and goods.
On the other hand, there are also restaurants partnered with third-party food delivery services, like Grab and Foodpanda. To order from them, you can simply book through the food delivery applications, and they'll have their riders deliver the food to your doorstep.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jollibee Chickenjoy Bucket | ![]() | Well-Loved Fried Chicken With Signature Crisp and Juiciness | |
2 | 24 Chicken Jack Daniels Chicken | ![]() | Sweet and Savory Taste That Gets You Hooked | |
3 | Frankie's Garlic Parmesan | ![]() | Heavenly Fusion of Crispy Chicken and Garlic Parmesan | |
4 | KFC Bucket of 20 | ![]() | A Big Bucket of Classic Fried Chicken Best for Sharing | |
5 | Hot Star Large Fried Chicken XXL Original Chicken Ala Carte | ![]() | Ease Cravings On-the-Go With This Jumbo Chicken Chop | |
6 | Popeyes 6-PC Chicken Bucket | ![]() | Flavorful Taste That Penetrates the Entire Chicken | |
7 | Blake's Wings & Steaks Buffalo|1/2 kg | ![]() | Excite Your Taste Buds With Spicy Buffalo Wings | |
8 | Max's Whole Fried Chicken|Family Chicken Whole | ![]() | Classic Taste That Will Send You Straight Down Memory Lane | |
9 | 24 Chicken Half-Half Chicken | ![]() | Enjoy Two Kinds of Fried Chicken in One | |
10 | Bonchon K-Chickin Sampler Rack|Rack of 6 | ![]() | Experience the Taste of Authentic Korean Fried Chicken |
What's a fried chicken list without the very well-loved Chickenjoy? Dubbed as one of the best-tasting fried chicken in the country, kids and adults alike have a soft spot for this one. Its "crispylicious, juicylicious" tagline is indeed fitting, as it has a fork-tender and juicy meat coupled with a crunchy breading that may even convince you to save it for later.
It is also an excellent choice for family dinners or at-home celebrations, as it comes in a bucket of 8 pieces of fried chicken. Each piece oozes a combination of salty and savory flavor derived from the secret recipe they use to marinate their chicken. Although tasty on its own, it is also served with a side of gravy that levels up the whole experience!
If you wish to try something new, consider this flavored fried chicken by 24 Chicken. With a name as intimidating as "Jack Daniels," you might think this one will be heavy and overwhelming, but it's actually the opposite. It is one of the store's best-selling variants, as many people love its sweet and savory taste that tugs at your tastebuds.
Each chicken part is also very moist and tender, so even if you are not a big fan of white meat, you may not have to skip those parts. Although generously drizzled with the special Jack Daniels sauce, it still has a crunchy skin that you'll enjoy munching on even more as this particular fried chicken is also boneless!
Best known for their chicken wings, Frankie's offers some of the tastiest chicken wings flavors, and one best example is their Garlic Parmesan. It is the perfect pick for those who want to enjoy their chicken wings without the spice. It is generously slathered with parmesan cheese mixed with garlic and basil.
The overall taste features a heavenly combination of a herby and rich flavor that goes exceptionally well with the chicken wing's crunchy exterior. This particular serving size comes with half a dozen chicken wings that you can choose to enjoy alone or share over dinner with your family.
KFC is another name that can't be possibly forgotten when talking about the best fried chicken. Their original recipe fried chicken consisting of a blend of 11 secret herbs and spices is a true classic that is universally loved. Its deep herby flavor with peppery notes sets it apart from others.
It also has a unique texture that differs from most chicken nowadays, as its smooth breading possesses a distinct crisp that does not come with a pronounceable crunch. If you're looking for one you can serve at celebrations, this particular bucket is also a great pick, as it comes with 20 pieces of fried chicken.
Although guaranteed to initially catch anyone's attention with its larger-than-your-face size, this fried chicken chop is more than that. It might look a little intimidating to eat, but your first bite will surely greet you with juicy and tender chicken meat that is also packed with flavor!
Each chop is meticulously deep-fried to possess that irresistible crunch in every bite. Aside from being thick and lean, it is also around 30cm long, making it big enough for sharing. However, you can also eat it as a solo snack, as it comes in an individual packaging that allows you to consume it on the go.
For your party or handaan needs, this fried chicken bucket by Popeyes is another no-fail choice. It comes with six pieces of their signature fried chicken known for their tender and juicy meat, coupled with a super crunchy skin that is not overly greasy.
Suppose you've had your fair share of eating fried chickens with flavors that you can only taste from the exterior. In that case, you'll also love this one, as it has that distinct smoky flavor that penetrates the entire chicken, allowing you to eat it on its own with no fancy sauces needed.
For those who always have an appetite for spicy food, this one is straight up your alley. The universally-loved buffalo wings inspired this fried chicken by Blake's. It is battered, deep-fried, and tossed in their signature tangy, buttery, and medium spicy buffalo sauce.
This serving size comes with 10-12 pieces of chicken that are perfect as appetizers for the whole family or as a main course that you can devour in no time. To complete the chicken wings experience, it also comes with a dip, you can pick between bleu cheese, garlic ranch, and honey mustard.
Max's has always been the go-to restaurant for many Filipino families, may it be for after-church lunch outs or family dinners. And like most dishes they serve, their fried chicken also reminds you of these warm memories that can send you on a nostalgic trip. It has a classic look and taste that sets it apart from most fried chickens sold in chains.
It does not come with fancy and crunchy breading, but they always ensure to fry the chicken's skin so well that you'll still have a crispy exterior. Apart from that, it has very moist and juicy meat that is seasoned with various spices. It also goes very well with their banana ketchup, so make sure to drizzle some on it!
If you're craving flavored chicken but couldn't also give up the regular fried ones, 24 Chicken has got you covered, so you won't have to choose between two great things. This serving allows you to get two kinds of fried chicken in one!
With this, your options are limitless. You can get half a portion of the Yangnyeom or spicy fried chicken, then balance it by getting half a portion of the original one. Whatever combo you end up choosing, you're sure to have a tasty and hassle-free mealtime as the chickens are also boneless and tender.
If you're craving the crisp and crunch of Korean fried chickens, you'll surely love this one from Bonchon. It is coated with a special batter and brushed with sauce, giving it a crispy and perfectly glazed exterior that produces a loud crunch with every bite.
This particular serving comes with six pieces of fried chicken that you can choose to come in Korean-inspired flavors, like K-Classic Buffalo, Soy Garlic, Crunchy Garlic, Honey Citrus, and Hot & Spicy. It is good for sharing, whether over dinner or while you watch your favorite KDramas.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Yes. The amount of protein in a chicken remains, whether it's fried or not. In fact, fried chickens can even have more protein because of the batter used to cook them, which is typically composed of eggs.
Most fried foods, including fried chicken, are high in carbohydrates and fat, which tends to slow down digestion. Hence, they can affect and raise blood sugar. Worse, they can even keep it high for an extended period.
Although chicken can be part of a healthy diet, fried chickens tend to be loaded with extra calories, carbs, fat, and even sodium. Thus, they're not the most nutritious food to eat. However, should your diet allows it, you can enjoy them moderately once in a while.
With the current situation, it is still better to dine at home than go to your favorite restaurant or pastry shop. Maximize online food delivery services and have your favorite food delivered to your doorstep. Check out these articles featuring various food you can order online.
Author: R. Victoriano
Editor: Justine Cuizon
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Jollibee|Chickenjoy Bucket
No. 2: 24 Chicken|Jack Daniels Chicken
No. 3: Frankie's|Garlic Parmesan
No. 4: KFC|Bucket of 20
No. 5: Hot Star Large Fried Chicken |XXL Original Chicken Ala Carte
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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