There are perfect snacks, and then there’s the chicken nugget. If you asked 100 people off the street to describe the perfect snack, it’s fair to assume you’d end up with something resembling the humble chicken nugget once you put all the responses together.
There’s not one meal of the day where the chicken nugget can’t slide in without fanfare, and sure, it would have its detractors when it comes to breakfast, but all of that would be quick to subside once the box is lifted out of the paper bag.
The chicken nugget was apparently invented in the 1950s, and called a ‘Chicken Crispie’ to help solve a few issues in the meat industry about ‘being able to clump ground meat without a skin’ which makes it all sound delightful. The chicken nugget really came into its own however when McDonald’s introduced the ‘Chicken McNugget’ to their menu in the late 1970s.
Most people would take a chicken nugget over a chicken tender any day, but where does the popcorn chicken land? Is it a nugget? That’s one for the chicken nugget boffins to work out.
Everyone has their favourite fast food chicken nugget, but we’ve put our heads together and ranked the best chicken nuggets you can get your hands on in Australia. So, here they are.
They say the burgers are better at Hungry Jack’s, but unfortunately, that isn’t the case when it comes to chicken nuggets. Yes, they’re still chicken nuggets, and they’re still delicious, but the team had them last on the list—which in a list of 5 isn’t too bad when you think about it.
Hungry Jack’s deliver their nuggets to you in packs of 3, 6, or 12. And you can make them a combo too if you like.
Sauces: BBQ, Spicy, Honey Mustard, and Sweet ‘n Sour
Grill’d’s chicken nuggets come in options of 6, or 9 bites, and you can get them with a sticky honey soy flavouring, or tossed in Grill’d’s own ‘Hawthorn Hot Sauce’.
Sauces: Herbed Mayo, Sweet Chilli Mayo, Tomato Relish, and Chipotle
The home of chicken polarises the general public, but you can’t deny KFC’s chops when it comes to preparing chicken nuggets. KFC’s legendary chicken nuggets are available in options starting at 6 (for just $10, bargain), 10, or 24—and you can of course put those in a combo.
KFC also has the best array of sauces available of any fast food outlet peddling chicken nuggets. Has to be a big consideration when you’re deciding where to order your nuggets of gold.
The iconic Australian chicken-focussed fast food outlet has been dishing up delicious chicken nuggets since the early days.
Red Rooster has something in their back pocket when it comes to competing with other fast food outlets in Australia—their ‘Cheesy Nuggets’. It’s a big advantage, chicken nuggets that are also filled with cheese and coated in sesame seeds, they deserve more recognition.
Red Rooster serves up chicken nuggets, and cheesy nuggets in packs of 6, or 10.
After much discussion, McDonald’s ‘Chicken McNuggets’ landed in the number 1 spot in our ranking of Australia’s best fast food chicken nuggets. They are an icon, so it’s not surprising that they’re top of the table.
McDonald’s also serve ‘Chicken McPieces’, and ‘Chicken McBites’, so they’re going with every angle when it comes to bite-sized pieces of crumbed chicken.
McDonald’s serve up their ‘McNuggets’ in packs of 3, 6, 10, or 20.
Sauces: Aoili, Sweet ‘n Sour, Big Mac Special Sauce, BBQ, Mustard, Tomato, Sriracha
The cold weather in most parts of Australia coinciding with EOFY celebrations is the closest thing that we’ll get to snowy Christmas vibes. And if you’re in dire need of some festive cheer after the first six months of 2023, grab your ugly sweater and head to your nearest Red Rooster for Xmas in July deals.
From June 29 – July 31, 2023, Red Rooster is serving up free food items, a chance to win $10,000 or one of 10 merch packs valued at $400 and other fun prizes. All you have to do is sign up as a Red Royalty member and spend $5 on at a location near you or online.
Each week there’ll be new delicious deals and prizes to win. The week one deals have already dropped and they’re looking pretty tasty. You can get access to them via your Red Royalty account. The more you purchase, the more chances you have to win.
Spoiler alert: you can get 10 chicken nuggets for free, right now. Brb running to Red Rooster.
