When it comes to fast-food fried chicken and biscuits, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is the clear winner, professional chefs say.Allrecipes asked five chefs to judge fast-food restaurants on their fried chicken and biscuits.They based their votes on the chicken's crispiness, long-lasting crunch, minimal greasiness and ample seasoning.For the biscuits, the chefs looked for a rich buttery flavor, flaky layers and a tender texture.POPEYES BRINGS CHICKEN TENDER TOWER TO MONTAUK'S SURF LODGE THIS SUMMER"I'm always looking for a crispy, craggy coating that stays crunchy even after sitting for a few minutes," New Jersey-based recipe developer Jeanette Donnarumma told Allrecipes.
"It shouldn't immediately turn soggy in the box."Flour, rather than batter, is key to achieving more crunch, added Iowa-based chef Dominic Iannarelli.Popeyes' fried chicken and biscuits recently took top acclaim by professional chefs among its fast-food competitors.(Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images)"It is fried chicken, so some grease is expected," Texas-based cookbook author Kelly Jaggers said.
"But if it runs down my hands, that's a miss."The chefs agreed that good fried chicken should stand on its own, rather than relying on dipping sauces.Instead, the seasoning should be the star.TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ"I want juicy meat with actual seasoning throughout, not chicken that leans entirely on dipping sauce for flavor," Donnarumma said.
"The best fast-food fried chicken is well-seasoned and salty enough to make you immediately reach for another piece."Dry biscuits can ruin an otherwise great meal, Donnarumma said, calling them "one of the biggest disappointments at a restaurant.""[Popeyes'] chicken still has one of the crispiest coatings in fast food, the seasoning is bold, and the biscuits have that rich, buttery quality people crave."Biscuits should be sturdy enough to hold up to honey, butter and sauces, she said, but tender enough to "melt" into the chicken.Po...