The Most Delicious Chicken in the World, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the chicken you think is the most delicious!

Updated on Apr 6, 2024 06:35

In a bustling market filled with the aromatic scents of herbs and spices, the quest for the most delicious chicken dish can be as engaging as it is savory. People from different corners of the world claim their local recipe holds the crown for flavor and finesse. Such a universal love for this dish merits a space where culinary enthusiasts can rally and rate, ensuring that the best recipes receive the recognition they deserve. By casting your vote on these mouthwatering chicken dishes, you contribute to a culinary leaderboard that helps others find top-tier meals while supporting passionate cooks and chefs behind these recipes. This dynamic tally not only guides newcomers to exceptional flavors but also stimulates a spirited dialogue among global food lovers, fostering a community bound by the love of great chicken.

What Is the Most Delicious Chicken in the World?

1

88
votes
happy o'ne · CC BY 2.0 kr

Korean Fried Chicken

Korean Fried Chicken crispy and juicy chicken, coated in a sweet and spicy sauce.
Korean Fried Chicken, also known as KFC, is a highly popular dish in South Korea. It is a type of fried chicken that stands out for its crispy and flavorful coating, paired with a variety of tasty sauces. The chicken is typically double-fried to achieve an extra crispy exterior while maintaining a juicy and tender interior.

Chicken Cuts: Commonly made with bone-in chicken pieces such as wings, drumsticks, and boneless chicken.

Double-Frying Technique: The chicken is fried twice to achieve an incredibly crispy texture.

Coating: The chicken is coated with a thin layer of potato starch or wheat flour for a light and crisp crust.

Variety of Flavors: Some popular flavors include soy garlic, spicy, honey butter, and sweet and spicy.

Sauce Application: The sauce is applied either by tossing the fried chicken in the sauce or by serving it on the side for dipping.
2

40
votes
stevendepolo · CC BY 2.0

Coq au Vin

Julia Child

Coq au Vin a French classic, chicken stewed in red wine with bacon, mushrooms, and onions.
Coq au Vin is a classic French dish that is considered one of the most delicious chicken dishes in the world. It is a slow-cooked chicken stew where chicken pieces are braised in red wine, typically Burgundy, along with bacon, mushrooms, onions, and various herbs and spices. The dish has a rich and robust flavor with tender chicken and a thick, flavorful sauce. Coq au Vin is often served with crusty bread or buttery mashed potatoes.

Main Ingredients: Chicken, red wine, bacon, mushrooms, onions

Origin: France

Cooking Time: Around 2-3 hours

Serving Temperature: Hot

Flavor Profile: Rich, savory, and earthy
Coq au Vin in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most difficult dish to cook
3

23
votes
Michael Hays · CC BY 2.0

Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala a British Indian dish, marinated chicken cooked in a creamy tomato sauce.
Chicken Tikka Masala is a popular dish originating from the Indian subcontinent. It consists of grilled chicken tikka (marinated chicken chunks) cooked in a creamy and aromatic tomato-based curry sauce. The dish offers a perfect blend of smoky flavors from the grilled chicken and rich flavors from the spiced tomato sauce. It is typically served with fragrant basmati rice or freshly baked naan bread.

Main Ingredients: Chicken, yogurt, tomato, cream, spices (such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala)

Preparation: Marinating the chicken in a seasoned yogurt mixture, grilling or baking the marinated chicken, preparing the tomato-based curry sauce, simmering the chicken in the sauce until cooked through and flavors meld together

Flavor Profile: Savory, rich, creamy, mildly spicy

Texture: Tender, juicy chicken chunks in a silky smooth curry sauce

Serving Temperature: Hot
Chicken Tikka Masala in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular chicken dish
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular Pot Noodle
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular flavor of Walker's Crisps
4

19
votes
Misaochan · CC BY 4.0

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Wenchang Chicken Rice

Hainanese Chicken Rice a Singaporean dish, poached chicken with fragrant rice and chili sauce.
Hainanese Chicken Rice is a popular dish originating from Hainan, China. It is a simple yet flavorful meal consisting of fragrant steamed chicken served on a bed of fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth. The dish is often accompanied by a trio of dipping sauces: chili sauce, ginger paste, and dark soy sauce. The combination of tender and succulent chicken with aromatic rice and flavorful sauces makes it a truly satisfying and delicious culinary experience.

Ingredient(s): Chicken, rice, chicken broth, ginger, garlic

Cooking Method: Steaming

Flavor Profile: Savory, fragrant

Dipping Sauces: Chili sauce, ginger paste, dark soy sauce

Origin: Hainan, China
Hainanese Chicken Rice in other rankings
- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular food in Southeast Asia
5

11
votes
stef yau · CC BY 2.0

Buffalo Wings

Teressa Bellissimo

Buffalo Wings a popular American snack, deep-fried chicken wings coated in spicy sauce.
Buffalo Wings are a popular American dish made from chicken wings that are deep-fried and then coated in a spicy sauce. They are typically served with celery and blue cheese dressing on the side, and are known for their tangy and fiery flavor.

Origin: Buffalo, New York

Preparation: Deep-fried

Sauce: Spicy and tangy

Accompaniments: Celery and blue cheese dressing

Popular Variation: Buffalo-style chicken tenders
6

7
votes
Rainer Zenz · GPL

Cordon Bleu

Cordon Bleu a Swiss dish, chicken breast stuffed with ham and cheese, breaded and fried.
Cordon Bleu is a classic dish made with thin chicken or veal cutlets stuffed with ham and Swiss cheese, then breaded and fried until golden brown. The name 'Cordon Bleu' is derived from the French term meaning 'blue ribbon', which historically represented excellence in culinary arts.

Main Ingredients: Chicken or veal cutlets, ham, Swiss cheese, breadcrumbs

Cooking Method: Breaded and fried

Flavor Profile: Savory, rich, and melty

Texture: Crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside

Serving Options: Can be served as a main course or sliced as an appetizer
7

9
votes
kspoddar · CC BY-SA 2.0

Tandoori Chicken

Kundan Lal Gujral

Indian marinated chicken grilled in a tandoor oven, served with naan bread.
Tandoori Chicken is a popular Indian dish known for its vibrant flavors and succulent taste. It is made by marinating chicken pieces in a mixture of yogurt and a variety of spices, which infuses the meat with a rich and aromatic flavor. The marinated chicken is then traditionally cooked in a tandoor, a clay oven, resulting in a charred and smoky exterior while keeping the meat juicy and tender inside.

Popular Variations: Butter chicken, chicken tikka masala

Origin: India

Primary Ingredients: Chicken, yogurt, spices

Marination Time: 4-6 hours

Cooking Method: Tandoor (clay oven)
8

9
votes
Tristan Kenney · CC BY 2.0

Chicken Parmigiana

Chicken Parmigiana an Italian-American dish, breaded chicken cutlets topped with tomato sauce and cheese.
Chicken Parmigiana is a classic Italian-American dish that consists of breaded chicken cutlets topped with tomato sauce and melted cheese. It is often served over pasta or accompanied by a side of vegetables. The dish is known for its rich and flavorful combination of crispy chicken, tangy tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese.

Breading: The chicken is typically coated in a mixture of breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese, which adds a crispy and savory crust.

Chicken Cutlets: Thinly pounded chicken breast is used to create tender and juicy cutlets.

Tomato Sauce: The chicken is topped with tomato sauce, usually made with tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and sometimes red wine for added depth of flavor.

Cheese: Mozzarella cheese is most commonly used to cover the chicken, but other varieties like Parmesan, provolone, or a combination of cheeses can also be used.

Cooking Method: The chicken is typically pan-fried or baked until the breading is golden and crispy.
9

10
votes
Yakitori

Japanese grilled chicken skewers, often served with soy sauce and green onions.
Yakitori is a popular Japanese grilled chicken dish that is renowned for its delicious flavor and tender texture. It consists of skewered bite-sized pieces of chicken, usually served with a savory sauce or seasoned with salt. The chicken is grilled over charcoal, which imparts a smoky and slightly charred taste to the meat.

Chicken Type: Typically made with bite-sized pieces of chicken thigh, although other cuts like breast or wings can be used as well.

Skewers: The chicken pieces are skewered on small bamboo or metal skewers, allowing for easy grilling and serving.

Sauce Varieties: Yakitori can be enjoyed with various sauces, including tare (a sweet and savory soy-based sauce), shio (salt), or shichimi (Japanese seven spice).

Grilling Method: Traditionally, yakitori is grilled over charcoal, which gives it a unique smoky flavor. However, modern variations may use gas grills or even ovens.

Cooking Techniques: Yakitori can be cooked in different ways such as teppanyaki (grilled on a flat iron griddle), robatayaki (grilled over an open charcoal pit), or hibachi (grilled on a portable barbecue).
10

7
votes
Kobako · CC BY-SA 2.5

Arroz con Pollo

Arroz con Pollo a Latin American dish, chicken and rice cooked with vegetables and spices.
Arroz con Pollo is a traditional and flavorful dish that originated in Spain and is popular across Latin America. It is a one-pot meal featuring tender chicken pieces cooked with aromatic rice and a variety of vegetables and spices. The name literally translates to 'rice with chicken' in English.

Main Ingredients: Chicken, rice, vegetables (such as bell peppers, tomatoes, peas), spices (such as garlic, saffron, paprika)

Cooking Method: Braising or simmering the chicken with the rice and other ingredients in a flavorful broth or sauce

Texture: Tender and moist chicken, perfectly cooked rice

Flavor Profile: Rich, savory, and aromatic with hints of garlic, saffron, and other spices

Variations: Different countries and regions have their own versions of Arroz con Pollo, incorporating local ingredients and spices
Arroz con Pollo in other rankings
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular food in Costa Rica
- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular Honduran food

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Ranking factors for delicious chicken

Flavor

The taste of the chicken itself is crucial in determining its deliciousness. The combination of seasonings and marinades used should enhance the natural flavor of the chicken without overpowering it.
Juiciness

A juicy chicken is always more desirable than a dry one. The cooking method should ensure that the chicken retains moisture, creating a tender and juicy bite.
Texture

The chicken should have a good mouthfeel, with tender and succulent meat that is easy to chew and enjoy.
Crispiness (if applicable)

If the chicken is fried or has a skin, it should be crispy and crunchy without being greasy. This adds an extra layer of texture and satisfaction.
Aroma

The smell of the chicken is just as important as its taste. A delicious chicken will have an appetizing aroma that is pleasing and enticing, making you want to dig in.
Freshness

The chicken should be fresh and of high quality, ensuring that it has the best possible flavor and texture.
Cooking technique

The method of cooking should bring out the best in the chicken, whether it's grilled, fried, roasted, or cooked in another way.
Presentation

While not a direct factor in taste, the presentation can impact the overall experience of eating the chicken. A well-plated, visually appealing dish can make the chicken taste even better.
Balance of flavors

The dish should have a balance of complementary flavors that work well together, without any one element overpowering the others.
Cultural and regional authenticity

As chicken dishes vary greatly across different regions and cultures, it's essential to consider the authenticity of the preparation and ingredients, as well as how well the dish represents its cultural origins.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most delicious chicken in the world. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or chicken is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1885 views
223 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each chicken once every 24 hours. The rank of each chicken is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most delicious chicken in the world

When it comes to meat, chicken is one of the most popular choices around the world. Whether grilled, fried, or roasted, chicken is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a wide range of dishes. But with so many varieties of chicken out there, it can be tough to determine which one is the most delicious. From free-range organic chicken to fast-food fried chicken, there are countless options to choose from. Some people swear by the tender and juicy flavor of rotisserie chicken, while others can't resist the crispy skin of fried chicken. Different cultures also have their own take on chicken, with dishes like chicken tikka masala and jerk chicken gaining popularity in recent years. Ultimately, the most delicious chicken in the world is a matter of personal preference. What one person loves, another might not enjoy as much. But one thing is for sure – no matter how it's prepared, chicken remains a favorite meat for millions of people around the globe.