10 Chains Known For Great Fried Chicken Buckets

There’s something satisfying about cracking open a steaming bucket of fried chicken and letting that golden aroma fill the air. These shareable feasts bring families and friends together over crisp, seasoned pieces that balance juiciness with crunch. Across America and beyond, restaurant chains have turned the chicken bucket into a comfort classic. Some rely on secret spice blends, while others perfect the frying technique for ultimate crispness. Here are ten chains that truly know how to fill a bucket worth savoring.

1. KFC

KFC’s iconic chicken bucket has defined what fast-food fried chicken means for generations. First introduced in 1957, the meal quickly became a global standard for group dining. The chain’s “11 herbs and spices” remain one of food’s most famous secrets, creating a flavor that’s both peppery and deeply savory. Whether you order an 8, 12, or 16-piece meal, the crisp coating and tender meat stay consistent worldwide. For millions, that white-and-red bucket means shared comfort and tradition on any table.

2. Popeyes

Popeyes brings Louisiana soul to every bucket with its signature spice profile and deeply marinated chicken. Each piece is soaked in a seasoned blend before being fried to a crisp, ensuring bold flavor from crust to bone. The chain’s family meals are generous, offering up to 16 spicy or mild pieces with biscuits and sides like red beans and rice. Popeyes buckets are prized for their punchy seasoning, crisp coating, and the unmistakable southern character that sets them apart from competitors.

3. Church’s Texas Chicken

Church’s Texas Chicken is known for buckets that balance size, flavor, and crunch. Each portion of chicken is hand-battered and fried to a deep golden color, giving it a rustic homemade feel. The flavor leans slightly peppery, paired perfectly with honey-butter biscuits that have become as popular as the chicken itself. Its buckets come in multiple sizes, ideal for gatherings or big appetites. Church keeps things simple but memorable, making it a go-to for hearty southern-style fried chicken.

4. Jollibee

Jollibee, the Filipino fast-food phenomenon, has turned its Chickenjoy buckets into a global favorite. Each piece offers ultra-crisp skin with juicy, mildly sweet meat underneath, served with the brand’s signature brown gravy. The texture balance makes it stand out among major chains, and the flavor feels both familiar and fresh. Families around the world order Jollibee buckets for casual dinners and celebrations alike. Its cheerful branding and consistent quality make Chickenjoy a symbol of joy in every bite.

5. Bojangles

Bojangles’ buckets celebrate Southern heritage through its seasoned, crispy chicken and classic sides like dirty rice and biscuits. The chicken is marinated overnight for deep flavor, then fried until the crust shatters lightly when bitten. Its Cajun seasoning mix adds a gentle kick that keeps fans loyal. Whether served spicy or mild, Bojangles’ buckets carry a comfort-food warmth that feels like home. For many in the American South, it’s not just fried chicken, it’s a piece of culture in a bucket.

6. Raising Cane’s

Raising Cane’s keeps things simple yet addictive with its focus on fresh chicken tenders served in family-size boxes and buckets. Each piece is hand-dipped and fried to a light golden crisp, paired with crinkle fries, coleslaw, and Cane’s Sauce. The flavor relies on quality and technique rather than heavy spice. While it doesn’t use bone-in pieces, its bucket-style combos have a cult following. Cane’s proves that minimal seasoning and perfect frying can win hearts nationwide.

7. Bonchon

Bonchon brings a Korean twist to fried chicken buckets with double-fried pieces coated in soy garlic or spicy glaze. The result is a glossy, ultra-crisp exterior and moist, flavorful meat that stays crunchy for hours. Each bucket mixes drumsticks, wings, and thighs for variety. Bonchon’s buckets have become global hits, blending East Asian flavor with Western comfort. The combination of crunch, sweetness, and heat offers something unique for anyone craving fried chicken with a twist.

8. Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken

Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken offers buckets that highlight a homestyle touch with pressure-cooked pieces coated in a seasoned flour blend. The chicken remains juicy and tender while the crust stays crunchy even after cooling. Lee’s recipe uses mild spices to appeal to all ages, often paired with mashed potatoes, gravy, and coleslaw. Each bucket feels like something straight from a family kitchen. For those seeking classic comfort rather than spice-heavy flavor, Lee’s delivers every time.

9. Krispy Krunchy Chicken

Krispy Krunchy Chicken, often found in gas stations and small convenience stores, surprises many with its quality and bold taste. The chain’s signature Cajun-style breading gives each bucket a satisfying crunch and gentle heat. Despite its humble setting, the chicken rivals major brands for flavor and texture. Customers often grab full family buckets on the go, drawn by the aroma and freshness. Krispy Krunchy proves that great fried chicken can come from the most unexpected places.

10. Wingstop

Wingstop may focus on wings, but its large combo buckets deserve a mention for variety and punchy flavors. Each piece, whether traditional or boneless, is fried to crisp perfection and tossed in sauces ranging from lemon pepper to atomic heat. The brand offers customizable mixes for families or gatherings. Though not classic bone-in fried chicken, its bucket offerings capture the same shareable joy. For spice lovers and sauce seekers, Wingstop buckets are a flavor-packed feast worth craving.