In a definitive taste test that has captured the attention of fast food fans across the nation, popular YouTuber Ciaran Carlin has put the humble chicken tender under the microscope. With the dish enjoying a major surge in popularity on British menus, Carlin set out to crown a champion, sampling offerings from major chains including McDonald's, KFC, and the rapidly expanding Popeyes.
The Methodology: A Saucy Decision
For his experiment, conducted and shared in early January 2026, Carlin established clear ground rules. He decided to judge each chicken tender, or 'goujon' as he prefers, purely on its own merits, ruling out any dips or sauces that could sway the vote. However, he did allow for spicy variants where available, aiming to test the core product from each restaurant.
The contenders in this crunchy clash included McDonald's Chicken Selects, KFC, Popeyes, Butchies, Taco Bell, Wingstop, Honest Burgers, Greggs, Jollibee, and Slim Chickens.
The Verdicts: From 'Cardboard' to Unbeatable
The first to face judgement were the McDonald's Chicken Selects, and the review was brutally frank. Ciaran Carlin did not hold back, scoring them a mere 1.5 out of five. He described the experience as 'like eating cardboard' and labelled the offering 'embarrassing' for a brand he considered a fast-food pinnacle.
In stark contrast, the KFC strip made an immediate impression with its size and flavour. Carlin was effusive, declaring it 'absolutely unbeatable' and awarding it a near-perfect 4.9 out of five. He praised its standalone quality, stating it was exceptionally good without any accompaniment.
Expectations were high for American import Popeyes, which launched its first UK store in 2021 and has since expanded to over 100 branches in England, plus locations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Carlin tried a spicy strip, finding it 'fantastic' while eating but noting it was quite oily and might lead to regret afterwards.
The Final Ranking and Surprise Contenders
Other notable entries included London-based Butchies, which received a 'good' rating for its coating, and Wingstop, whose 'sad' looking fingers won on taste. Greggs goujons were deemed 'decent', while Honest Burgers impressed but still ranked below KFC.
However, the race for the top was fiercely contested. Slim Chickens, a chain that first arrived in the UK in 2020, was a standout. Carlin praised its perfect texture, saying it was 'soft in the right places, tender in the right places, and have that little crunch in the right places'. He placed it easily in his top two.
After sampling all ten, Ciaran Carlin delivered his final ranking. KFC claimed the top spot, narrowly beating Slim Chickens into second place. Filipino chain Jollibee secured a respectable third, proving the chicken tender crown is hotly disputed across the UK's diverse fast-food landscape.
