I tried chicken tender meals from McDonald's and Chick-fil-A. One chain served up juicier tenders.
McDonald's recently launched chicken strips as part of its McCrispy line of products, which also includes the chain's chicken sandwich.
In a comparison of Chick-fil-A and McDonald's chicken sandwiches, I ranked the McDonald's version higher than Chick-fil-A, so I was eager to see if the burger chain's chicken strips could also beat out the legacy chicken chain.
I ordered a four-piece chicken strip meal, which came with a medium order of fries, a medium drink, and two sauces. I chose the chain's creamy chili sauce, which was launched alongside the chicken strips for pairing.
For my drink, I ordered a Diet Coke from both chains.
The cost of my meal at McDonald's came to $16.59, excluding tax and fees.
The chicken strips came in a cardboard carton.
The chicken strips were large and evenly coated in crispy breading. Unlike other chains' chicken tenders, these ones wouldn't exactly be described as flaky. They're more similar to a very long chicken nugget.
The chicken strips differ slightly from the chain's buttermilk crispy tenders, which were discontinued in 2020 at the start of the pandemic.
Until now, chicken tenders have failed to return to menus, despite fans' pleas to bring them back.
Each bite was evenly coated in well-seasoned, peppery breading. The strips paired excellently with the creamy chili dipping sauce.
The chain's new creamy chili sauce was created to go with the new chicken strips, and they paired well.
The sauce tasted similar to a Sriracha aioli and added just the right amount of spice without being too overwhelming. The creamy dipping sauce clung to every crevice of the chicken strip, ensuring maximum flavor.
The meat inside the tender was a little lacking, however.
In a master ranking of 11 fast-food chicken tenders, I ranked McDonald's chicken tenders higher than Chick-fil-A's. However, upon a second try, I wasn't so sure.
The chicken tenders were slightly thinner and had less shreddable chicken than I remembered from my first taste test, suggesting the quality could be subject to change based on the batch you get. However, I still really enjoyed them.
The meal also came with fries and a drink.
Though some might argue that all Diet Cokes taste the same, I disagree. I'm a huge fan of McDonald's Diet Coke, which comes with just the right amount of ice and is always perfectly refreshing.
The fries also impressed me — they were salty and crispy, and also paired well with the creamy chili dipping sauce.
I also ordered a four-piece chicken tender meal from Chick-fil-A.
Chick-fil-A has been selling its beloved chicken tenders since 1989, though it didn't launch the chain's signature sauce until the early 2000s.
The meal cost $19.89, excluding tax and fees. It came with a medium drink, a medium order of waffle fries, and three sauces.
The chicken tenders were evenly fried, but coated with loose, flaky pieces of breading.
At first glance, these tenders were noticeably thicker than the McDonald's chicken strips.
They also had a lighter, more golden color to them rather than the almost-brown color of the fried chicken strips from McDonald's.
The chicken strips paired well with the chain's signature sauce.
The chicken tenders really impressed me.
They were crunchy yet filled with thick, juicy shreds of chicken meat. I was surprised to find I actually preferred the chicken tenders from Chick-fil-A over the ones from McDonald's.
The seasoning was peppery, like the breading on the McDonald's strips, but it had a slightly briny flavor, adding even more flavor. The chicken tenders were also much thicker, making the meal slightly more filling.
The meal came with crispy waffle fries.
The waffle fries were crispy yet pillowy — the potato inside seemed fluffier than the potato in McDonald's fries, which were more heavily fried.
They were also an ideal vehicle for the Chick-fil-A sauce — I was able to practically scoop it up with the fries, which was mouthwatering.
I had to give the win to Chick-fil-A, though I still thought McDonald's offered excellent value.
I preferred Chick-fil-A's thick and juicy chicken tenders to McDonald's's more heavily fried, crispy tenders.
I also liked the fluffy waffle fries in the Chick-fil-A meal more than the crunchy fries from McDonald's. They were a better vehicle for the chain's signature sauce.
However — shocking, I know — I actually preferred the creamy chili sauce from McDonald's. It packed more flavor than the Chick-fil-A sauce, thanks to the slight kick from the chili peppers, but it was still creamy enough to evenly coat the chicken strips.
When it came down to value, I thought McDonald's won. The Chick-fil-A meal was over $3 more expensive than the McDonald's meal. In terms of value, it had the chicken chain beat.
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Installation takes 10 minutes and requires no electricity or additional plumbing. Some peel-and-stick floor tiles if you're unhappy with the way your current bathroom or kitchen floors look. These are half an inch thick and made of vinyl, so they can withstand a lot of foot traffic. They're also water-resistant and washable. Each box has 10 12" x 12" tiles. Promising review: "Best purchase ever, love that it brightened and give my bathroom a new fresh look. Easy to put together and only took about two hours." —BillyGet it from Amazon for $15.50. A plug-in wall sconce that's powered by an electrical outlet, because not all of us can or want to hire an electrician to install a more permanent light fixture. It's also got a dimmer. Promising review: "These lamps are perfect for over the bed. They have two switches. One is on the base to dim them, and then a lower switch is needed for when you are tired and don't want to reach that high! Perfect!" —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in black or gold, and in packs of one or two). Or a plug-in wall sconce with a fabric lampshade if you're looking for something with a softer aesthetic. Promising review: "We wanted to get rid of the large lamps we were using because the bedroom is small, and we didn't want to spend a lot of money. These are very easy to install and the price is great. Everything arrived in perfect shape and we love that the switch is on the base and not on the cord, that way we can use decorative cord covers. The swivel makes it nice to move into the perfect position. I might purchase another set for our guest room." —VWBugGeekGet a pack of two from Amazon for $49.99 (available in three colors). A set of removable tile decals that are specifically designed for stairs. They come in a roll just like tape, so you slap them on your risers and — boom! — you're done. Quadrostyle is a woman-founded small business from Aussie designer Gabrielle Morabia. With operations based in Bali and an HQ in the south of France, Quadrostyle embraces all corners of the globe and takes inspiration from the traditional tiles found in the Mediterranean, Latin America, and review: "It turned out amazing! And completely easy to install. It totally changed our space. We love it!" —jaclynnancekivell Get it from Quadrostyle on Etsy for $17.49+ (available in six heights and matte or gloss finishes). A pair of LED stained glass bulbs if you want your ceiling and walls to erupt with rainbows every time you turn on the light. If you don't have the option to paint your walls but love color, this is the product for you. A set of NoNo Brackets that cleverly snap onto your existing vertical blinds so you can hang your own curtains. This is crucial if you're a renter who can't remove your blinds but still want to have your own window treatments up. An expandable shelf for under your sink that adjusts itself around your awkwardly shaped pipe. You will be able to fit so much more stuff under your sink when you use this! Measures 15 inches long x 11.25 inches wide x 15 inches high and can expand to 25 inches review: "I'm so glad I bought this. I have a 24-inch vanity in my bathroom and this fit perfectly. I have it extended to about 23-inch and it holds sturdy, though I can see if you were to extend it to its full length it gets weak in the middle. I liked it so much that I ordered another one for the kitchen. I got some clear bins to help organize bottles and other goodies I keep in the bath." —Marlene it from Amazon for $24.87 (available in three finishes). A pack of 16 solar-powered outdoor lights that clip right onto your balcony's ledge. Warm nights spent out on your balcony will be so much nicer when you have proper mood lighting. Promising review: "Developed a garden on the apartment patio, and wanted to add some lights along the railing to give it some character. These solar lights are not too bright and were easy to install. All the lights work, which is great. Better than I could have hoped for. 👍" —KMFGet it from Amazon for $25.49+ (available in two colors and also a set of 20). An ultra-thin socket cover to tame the mess of plugs and cords behind your furniture without sticking out (literally). It sits flat against the wall and runs the cord neatly along the baseboard, so your outlets stay functional *and* visually unoffensive. Some motion-activated, battery-powered night-lights to illuminate dark areas in your home. I use these in closets, deep cabinets, and my bathroom that has a really loud fan that turns on every time I switch the light on. A pair of crystal drawer knobs if you want to feel like you live in an opulent mansion instead of a one-bedroom apartment. These antique-inspired knobs will dress up doors and furniture alike. Satin nickel switch plates because good design is in the details. Walls can be so drab, and this is basically a snazzy accessory to jazz yours up.
