The best grocery store fried chicken isn’t far off from that crispy, juicy, fall-off-the-bone-tender bird you order at a soul food restaurant. I know—that’s a bold statement, and if you’re skeptical, we understand. But fried chicken (from chicken wings to fried chicken fixins) is an art form we take very seriously here at Sporked. You’ll just have to trust us when we say the best supermarket fried chicken is cluckin’ delicious.
And hey, big news: We finally got our hands on Publix fried chicken—something we weren’t able to try for our first taste test. The fried chicken at Publix is rumored to be some of the best grocery store fried chicken in the country, but how did it rank among its competition? Keep reading to find out. And the next time you have a hankering for some fried chicken but don’t have time to sit down at a restaurant (or fry your own), mosey on over to one of these three grocery stores. Their fried chicken is a cluck above the rest.
- Stater Bros Fried Chicken
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I was really impressed with Stater Bros. grocery store fried chicken! I don’t think about Stater Bros. often (it’s a relatively small grocery chain that only has locations in Southern California), but now I will, especially when I’m in the mood for a fast, fried dinner. Their fried chicken is meaty, moist, and well-seasoned. The crust is not too thin but not too thick, and it’s plenty crunchy. Plus, an eight-piece box is super affordable. This is a great option if you want to have a fried chicken dinner at home and don’t feel like cooking or dishing out a bunch of cash. You could even tell your family you made this. They won’t know the difference! It tastes like it could be homemade in the best way possible. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Merc / Stater Bros
- Publix Fried Chicken
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It’s the man, the myth, the legend: Publix fried chicken. As a Floridian, I grew up on this stuff, but trying it as a professional taste tester is a whole new experience. The fried chicken at Publix is iconic for a reason. Its double breading is super thick, crunchy, crispy, and peppery—it’s really a meal of its own. Fried in both corn and cottonseed oil, anyone who’s had Publix fried chicken before would be able to recognize its distinct, extra savory taste in a lineup. I’ve seen some people online complain that the fried chicken at Publix can be dry, and maybe that depends on the Publix deli you visit, but in my taste test, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The juicy, tender chicken flaked right off the bone. In my opinion, this is the best grocery store fried chicken you can buy—but the thick breading might not be for everyone, and I get that. So with a heavy heart, I have to relegate it to runner-up status. (Still getting a perfect score, though!) —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Publix
- Home Chef Fried Chicken
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Home Chef provides the fried chicken for Ralphs and other Kroger-owned grocery stores, and it is so damn good. I was in disbelief when I tried it. It tastes like fried chicken from a restaurant. It’s so moist and juicy. The flavor and seasoning is through the roof. The crust is crunchy and is the perfect thickness. Everyone at Sporked has been fantasizing about this fried chicken since we tasted it. I will never debate where to buy fried chicken again. Go buy this ASAP because it is easily some of the best grocery store fried chicken to ever exist. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Merc / Ralphs
Best of the Best Runner-Up
Runner Up
Best of the Best
Other Products We Tried: Albertsons, Pavilions
