KFC Vs Popeyes: Who Has The Best Gravy For Fried Chicken And Mashed Potatoes?

The chicken chain debate tends to ruffle some feathers. And I'm not just talking about the fallout from the Chicken Sandwich Wars, circa 2019. People were squabbling about their poultry preferences long before that iconic fast-food feud.

More often than not, customers have strong allegiances to one chain or another, whether it's KFC, Chick-fil-A, Popeyes, Church's, or Raising Cane's. Some think KFC's chicken, with its 11 herbs and spices, rules the roost. Others flock to the fries at Chick-fil-A or the signature sauce at Raising Cane's. But what's the deal when it comes to a different kind of fried chicken accompaniment: the gravy? It may not be as glamorous as the chicken itself. But a good gravy makes a crispy breast or thigh feel complete, and let's not forget about the mashed potatoes that obviously need a savory buddy.

It's all gravy. But not every gravy is created equal. So, to settle this side debate, we're taking a closer look at two major players in the fried chicken game: KFC and Popeyes. Both offer gravy on their menus, though they approach it very differently. While KFC opts for a tried-and-true brown gravy, Popeyes sticks to its Louisiana roots with a spiced Cajun Gravy. Both recipes are made for smothering on chicken and spuds, but which one tastes best and ultimately wins the gravy battle? There's only one way to find out ...

Prices are as of the date of publication and may vary based on location.

One can't just roll up to a chicken chain and order only gravy. I mean, you could. But I think you'd be put on some kind of fast-food watch list. So, to avoid that scrutiny, I decided to make it part of a small meal at both joints. And it also gave me something to eat the gravy with. 

At KFC, I got in on the Taste of KFC Deal, which includes two pieces of fried chicken, a side of mashed potatoes with gravy, and a biscuit all for just $5. I also tacked on an additional side of the signature brown gravy for $1.99 just to be safe. I aimed to order something similar at Popeyes. I went with the 2-Piece Classic Signature Chicken, which automatically comes with a biscuit and costs $5. Then, I added on a side of mashed potatoes and Cajun gravy separately for $3.29 and finished it off again with an extra order of gravy for $0.99.

As I tried all of said items, all eyes and taste buds were on the gravy itself. How was the flavor? What was the consistency? What ingredients could I detect? Then, of course, I also took note of how each chain's recipe jived with their respective chicken and mashed potato offerings. I later put it all together to decide which restaurant is running the better gravy train.

KFC's gravy tastes familiar — and not just because I've had it on previous KFC trips. It's very similar to a store-bought gravy, which our taster tried and ranked, or the one you would find on a boat on your Thanksgiving table or paired with meatloaf at grandma's house. 

After the onslaught of herbs and spices used on its chicken, it seems KFC decided to rein it in and not overcomplicate its gravy. It's smooth and glossy with no floating chunks whatsoever. The flavor doesn't reveal any kind of surprise ingredients either. It's essentially just a creamy au jus or stock with a savory, mildly beefy taste. Salt is definitely in play, but it was missing the stronger peppery kick I was expecting.

It's nothing particularly groundbreaking, but it has a habit of elevating whatever it's buddied up next to. It soaks a cup of mashed potatoes, and the buttery richness pairs well with the umami. If that's not comfort food, I don't know what is. The gravy's impact on the chicken wasn't quite as significant. It was hard to pick out its flavor when it was competing with all that greasy, spice-covered breading. But the silky gravy did soften the crunch without making it too soggy.

Be aware that when you order extra gravy at Popeyes, you're not really getting that much extra. It came in a tiny ramekin, maybe one-third the size of what I received from KFC. I was rather huffy that I even paid $0.99 for this sad little sample.

Luckily, the chain packs a lot of flavor into that tiny portion. Forget everything you know about gravy, because this stands in a league of its own. It's not a smooth and uniform down-home blend. Instead, it's thick and seems to be a combination of roux, chicken broth, ample spices, and what looks and tastes like minced meat. It almost feels like it could stand by itself as some kind of spoonable soup. The main flavor notes are grease and salty richness. But it also has a bit of a rusty smokiness, paired with a peppery burn — I would venture to guess that both cayenne pepper and simple black pepper are to thank for that.

The mound of mashed potatoes mellows the gravy's spice. But the side dish feels just a little bit disjointed, like this isn't the kind of gravy that was meant to pair with a serving of spuds. The extra crunchy chicken, on the other hand, benefited from the added kick and extra moisture from the thick gravy. I just wish there was enough of it to coat both the thigh and the wing.

It's difficult to compare two gravies because they are so different. KFC's home-cookin'-style recipe is in a completely separate category from Popeyes' thick, seasoning-heavy take. But if I were forced to choose just one based on taste alone, I would have to side with Popeyes. It just feels like more thought and culinary know-how went into its gravy. It fits in perfectly with that bolder Cajun theme but also surprised me with its deep flavors. Once I adjusted to it, I found that it did make a really good match for mashed potatoes and that famously crispy chicken. I would just make sure to order two extra cups next time to get a more respectable amount. And at just $0.99 each, it shouldn't break the bank.

That said, I'm not here to bash KFC's gravy either. I think there's a time, place, and certainly an audience for its more traditional approach. Despite its simplicity and lack of flair, the brown mixture wraps spuds and chicken in a warm, savory hug, giving you a meal just like Mama used to make.

So, ultimately, which one you choose is going to depend on what you're looking to get out of your chicken dinner. If you want personality and punch from your gravy, go with Popeyes. If you want a warm, nostalgic taste, then KFC it is.