With the understanding that this discussion is highly controversial, I recently enjoyed a deliciously greasy buffet of Bojangles' and Popeyes to once and for all answer which one reigns supreme. In a thorough taste testing of Bojangles' vs Popeyes, I believe I have come to the correct answer. In a competition of the South's best fast food fried chicken, are there really any losers, though?
Bojangles Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits
The Bojangles' franchise is particularly popular in the Carolinas, with 448 locations between the two. The chicken 'n biscuits fast food restaurant has a cult following in that region of the South East, but is relatively famous throughout the entire East Coast. To acquire a complete flavor profile for Bojangles', I ordered a four piece dinner, which includes a leg, two thighs, and a biscuit. While the actual fried chicken was my intention for testing, the sides, or fixins, offered include Bo-Tato rounds, Bojangles' cajun pintos, Bojangles' dirty rice, coleslaw, green beans, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes 'n gravy, and seasoned fries.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
Popeyes is considerably more widespread across the US. It was once famously seen being eaten by the Kardashians on a private plane. With over 2,200 locations spread from coast to coast, the Louisiana style cookin' is no stranger to any true fan of fried chicken. To resemble a similar order at Bojangles', I ordered the $5 four piece mixed box with a biscuit. Again, this is not the only option at either franchise because both have options for chicken tenders, biscuits, sandwiches, sides, desserts, and more. However, this is a true test of fried chicken taste, and I would not be distracted.
Fried Chicken Taste & Texture
The chicken in the mixed box from Popeyes included a leg, breast, wing, and thigh. My favorite pieces are typically the leg and thigh, but I found each piece to be deeply juicy and moist. The mild pieces, pictured, did not come off as any level of cajun or spicy. Potentially the best part of fried chicken, Popeyes certainly delivers in its crisp, crunchy skin. The skin is flavorful and thankfully not soggy, but might be overly breaded considering the shape of the piece of chicken is slightly undefinable.
I was excited to try Bojangles' as it is commonly seen on the Instagrams of preppy bloggers on summer days, and has recently opened at a location near me within the last year. Immediately as I opened the box, the sight was somewhat disappointing. The breading appeared to be adhered to the skin, and somewhat soggy. But as a lover of fried chicken, I let the taste do the talking. Equally moist as the Popeyes chicken, I did not think that there was much differentiating the two in that sense. Although the skin's soggy and bland skin proved disappointing, the chicken seemed to have more of a cajun kick than the former. The flesh tasted as if it was injected with a spiced marinade that added a spicier flavor combination. While skin is a major aspect of fried chicken, the flavor definitely held up to keep it in the competition.
Biscuits & Sides
Now, biscuits and fixins might not technically qualify in the competition for best fried chicken, but it ultimately completes the meal and provides the meal and combo aspect that these restaurants need to draw in customers. At first glance, I thought the Bojangles' biscuit would be the clear winner with its height of fluffiness and buttery smell, as Popeyes has a smaller biscuit that sinfully contains the butter and grease in a compact package. However, Bojangles' biscuit had an intense buttery exterior which I nibbled, but found dry by the center. Really, neither restaurant brought the fire for fixins for me. Having macaroni and cheese from both and an additional Bojangles' dirty rice, I could go without either in the future.
The Winner...
Seriously, I "Love That Chicken from Popeyes!" I was genuinely expecting to prefer Bojangles', but Popeyes was ready to prove me otherwise. The combination of juicy meat, crunchy skin, my favorite pieces, and a buttery biscuit was by far the winner. While Bojangles' was still tasty and has great service every time I go, the battle of the best fried chicken in Bojangles' vs Popeyes is resulting in a resounding Popeyes.