The Ultimate Guide to the Popular Chicken Dishes at Restaurants in America
Over 10 million menu items in the US include chicken, accounting for nearly 13% of all restaurant dishes nationwide. In this article, we explore the most popular chicken dishes at restaurants right now, based on delivery and on-premise menus and consumer conversations on social media.
Today’s Top 5 Trending Popular Chicken Dishes at Restaurants
Chicken Pot Pie (+31% YoY)
Comfort food that warms the soul, with tender chunks of chicken and vegetables baked in a creamy sauce and topped with a flaky pastry crust. Perfect for a cozy night in or a family dinner, chicken pot pie is seeing a 31% increase in consumer interest nationwide in restaurant contexts, making it one of the most popular chicken dishes at restaurants.
Chicken Wrap (+26% YoY)
A popular choice for a quick and satisfying meal. With a flour tortilla wrapped around grilled or fried chicken, fresh veggies, and a flavorful sauce, this dish is a hit with health-conscious diners who want something easy to eat on the go. Despite consumer interest growing 26% YoY in chicken wraps in restaurants, only 7.3% of restaurants offer it on their delivery menus in the United States, missing an opportunity to cater to demands for popular chicken dishes at restaurants.
Chicken Parmesan (+19% YoY)
An Italian-American dish that never goes out of style. Tender chicken breast is breaded and fried, then topped with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. Served with a side of pasta or garlic bread, this meal is a generational favorite, with 19% YoY growth in interest. This longstanding favorite is among the most popular chicken dishes at restaurants.
Orange Chicken (+16% YoY)
This popular Chinese-American dish features crispy fried chicken coated in a sweet and tangy orange sauce, bringing a hint of sweetness to savory meals. Interest in orange chicken continues to grow at a rate of 16% YoY, making it one of the top chicken dishes in US restaurants right now.
Chicken Tikka Masala (+16% YoY)
Loved by spice enthusiasts, tender chicken is marinated in a blend of spices, then grilled and served in a creamy tomato-based sauce. Served with rice and naan bread, this Indian classic is seeing a 16% YoY increase in interest in restaurant contexts, placing it among the popular chicken dishes at restaurants that cater to adventurous palates.
The above reflect some of the best-selling chicken dishes on delivery menus.
Today’s Top 5 Most Popular Chicken Dishes in US Foodservice
With so much talk about chicken, it’s worthwhile knowing what share of the market is focused on these juicy favorites. As an established product in the restaurant industry, the following options reflect the current popularity of chicken, measured by share (not growth!) of social conversation. These established “rulers” of the chicken scene are seeing declines in popularity, indicating a consumer need for fresh innovation in popular chicken dishes at restaurants.
What About Delivery Platforms and Popular Chicken Dishes at Restaurants?
According to our data, the delivery platform offering the most popular chicken dishes at restaurants in the US is DoorDash, with 83% of restaurants on the platform featuring chicken dishes; Grubhub and UberEats follow closely behind.
Grubhub, however, is the most popular platform for ordering chicken wraps and chicken parmesan, both trending chicken dishes in foodservice. Specifically, 8.4% of Grubhub’s restaurants offer chicken wraps for delivery, closely followed by chicken parmesan. In contrast, UberEats offers chicken pot pie at 1.7%, while DoorDash has 4.8% of restaurants offering orange chicken. Chicken tikka masala, another trending chicken dish, is also popular on Grubhub, with 2.5% of restaurants featuring it on their menu. If you’re a restaurateur with one of these trending dishes on your menu, make sure to list it on your delivery menu to capture consumer interest in an under-saturated space for popular chicken dishes at restaurants.
American Cuisine Dominates Popular Chicken Dishes at Restaurants
As for the cuisine with the most chicken dishes on delivery in the US, American cuisine takes the top spot. With classic dishes like fried chicken and chicken tenders, American cuisine offers a wide range of popular chicken dishes at restaurants. Mexican and Italian cuisines also bring chicken variety, from chicken fajitas to chicken parmesan, adding international appeal to the most popular chicken dishes at restaurants.
What is The Average Price of Popular Chicken Dishes at Restaurants on Delivery?
The average price of popular chicken dishes at restaurants on delivery in the US varies depending on the cuisine and the specific dish. On average, these dishes cost around $10-$15, with some higher-end items priced upwards of $20.
By collecting and analyzing the data behind millions of moments of consumption, we provide real-time insights on food and beverage trends and consumer behavior across the landscape of food and beverage innovation. We analyze data from over 830K restaurants, 10M dishes, 9M consumers, and 71M social media posts to bring the freshest data on the pulse of foodservice, home cooking, and more.
FAQs
How can restaurants identify trending and popular chicken dishes to add to their menu?
To stay competitive and meet consumer demand, restaurants need real-time insights into trending and popular chicken dishes. Tastewise’s AI-powered platform analyzes millions of data points from social media, menus, and consumer conversations, highlighting which chicken dishes are gaining popularity and why. By using Tastewise, restaurants can make informed decisions on which dishes to feature, ensuring they align with current trends and consumer tastes.
What tools are available to help CPG brands and restaurants optimize their delivery menu for popular chicken dishes?
With Tastewise, CPG brands and restaurants can quickly pinpoint which popular chicken dishes are in demand on delivery platforms like DoorDash, UberEats, and Grubhub. Our platform provides actionable insights on consumer preferences and the frequency of specific dishes across regions, enabling brands and restaurants to strategically update their delivery offerings to capture more of the market.