Chicken Express keeps things straightforward: order by the piece, by the tender, or by the family meal, and always grab extra Texas toast. If you are looking for the full Chicken Express Menu with Prices, you have come to the right place. This guide breaks down every item, combo, and family pack so you know exactly what to expect before you pull up to the drive-thru.
Prices can shift a little depending on your location and local franchise owners. The numbers below are based on average national pricing as of late 2024. You should always confirm the final total at your specific store, but this gives you a solid ballpark figure for budgeting your next fried chicken fix.
Chicken Express Menu With Prices
Let’s get right into the core of the menu. Chicken Express is famous for its hand-breaded tenders and crispy fried chicken. They cook everything fresh, so you might wait a few extra minutes, but the crunch is worth it.
Chicken Tender Meals
The tenders are the star of the show. They are all-white meat, marinated, and fried to order. You get your choice of dipping sauce, plus a side and a roll or toast.
- 2 Tender Meal – around $6.99
- 3 Tender Meal – around $8.49
- 4 Tender Meal – around $9.99
- 5 Tender Meal – around $11.49
- 6 Tender Meal – around $12.99
Each meal includes one regular side and one piece of Texas toast or a yeast roll. If you want extra sauce, they usually charge about 30 to 50 cents per cup. The honey mustard and the country gravy are the fan favorites.
Fried Chicken Meals (By The Piece)
You can order the bone-in chicken by the piece or as a meal. The chicken comes in white meat (breast and wing) or dark meat (thigh and leg).
- 2 Piece Dark Meal – around $7.49
- 2 Piece White Meal – around $7.99
- 3 Piece Mixed Meal – around $9.49
- 4 Piece Dark Meal – around $11.99
- 4 Piece White Meal – around $12.49
If you just want the chicken without sides, you can order a la carte. A single breast runs about $3.29, a thigh is $2.49, a leg is $1.79, and a wing is about $1.99. These prices are approximate and can vary.
Chicken Express Family Meals
Family meals are the best value if you are feeding multiple people. They come in big boxes with plenty of food. You can mix and match tenders and fried chicken pieces.
- 8 Piece Family Meal – around $22.99 (includes 3 large sides and 4 rolls)
- 12 Piece Family Meal – around $29.99 (includes 4 large sides and 6 rolls)
- 16 Piece Family Meal – around $36.99 (includes 5 large sides and 8 rolls)
- 20 Tender Family Meal – around $34.99 (includes 4 large sides and 6 rolls)
- 30 Tender Family Meal – around $44.99 (includes 5 large sides and 8 rolls)
These boxes are heavy. Make sure you have a clear spot in your car before you pick them up. The rolls are brushed with butter and honey, which makes them dangerously easy to eat.
Chicken Express Sides
You can order sides individually or upgrade your meal. The portions are generous. A regular side is about 4 ounces, and a large side is about 8 ounces.
- Regular Side – around $1.99
- Large Side – around $3.49
- Side Salad – around $3.29
Here is the list of available sides. Not every store has all of them, so call ahead if you have a specific craving.
- Crinkle Cut Fries
- Fried Okra
- Green Beans
- Corn
- Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
- Cole Slaw
- Mac and Cheese
- Baked Potato Salad
The mashed potatoes are real, not the powdered kind. The gravy is peppery and thick. The fried okra is crispy and not too greasy. The green beans are cooked with bacon bits, which gives them a smoky flavor.
Chicken Express Sauces And Dressings
Sauces are a big part of the experience. You get one sauce with your meal, but you can buy extras. The standard sauce cups are about 1.5 ounces.
- Honey Mustard
- Country Gravy
- Buffalo Sauce
- Ranch
- BBQ Sauce
- Honey
- Ketchup
Extra sauce cups cost between 25 and 60 cents each. If you are ordering a family meal, ask for a handful of honey mustard packets. They usually give them out free if you ask nicely.
Chicken Express Drinks And Desserts
They have a self-serve drink station with all the standard sodas. You also get free refills if you dine in.
- Regular Drink – around $2.29
- Large Drink – around $2.79
- Sweet Tea (Half Gallon) – around $4.99
- Unsweet Tea (Half Gallon) – around $4.99
For dessert, the options are simple but good. The desserts are usually pre-packaged or served in cups.
- Fried Pie (Apple or Peach) – around $2.49
- Chocolate Chip Cookie – around $1.49
- Banana Pudding Cup – around $2.99
The banana pudding is a southern classic. It has vanilla wafers on top and a thick custard base. The fried pies are warm and flaky, but they are often sold out by the evening.
Chicken Express Catering And Bulk Orders
If you have a party or a work event, Chicken Express does catering. You can order trays of tenders, chicken pieces, and sides. They also sell gallon-sized tea jugs.
Here is a rough guide for catering prices. These are estimates and will vary by store.
- Tender Tray (50 pieces) – around $79.99
- Chicken Tray (24 pieces) – around $59.99
- Side Tray (serves 10-12) – around $24.99
- Gallon Sweet Tea – around $8.99
You should order catering at least 24 hours in advance. They can sometimes do same-day if you call early in the morning, but it is not guaranteed.
Chicken Express Daily Specials And Deals
Many locations run daily specials to bring in the lunch crowd. These deals are not on the official menu board, so you have to ask or check the local signs.
Common specials include:
- Monday: 99 cent fried pies with any meal purchase
- Tuesday: 2 for $20 on 6 tender meals
- Wednesday: Free drink with any family meal
- Thursday: $5.99 3 tender lunch box (after 2 PM)
- Friday: Free cookie with any 4 piece meal
These deals change frequently. The best way to find out is to follow your local Chicken Express on Facebook or just ask the cashier when you order. They are usually happy to tell you about current promotions.
How To Order At Chicken Express Like A Pro
Ordering is simple, but there are a few tips to make your experience smoother.
- Decide if you want tenders or bone-in chicken before you get to the speaker.
- Choose your spice level. The regular chicken is mild. You can ask for “spicy” on the bone-in chicken at some locations, but not all.
- Pick your side. Do not say “whatever” because they will choose for you, and you might get cole slaw when you wanted fries.
- Select your sauce. If you do not pick, they give you honey mustard by default.
- Ask for extra Texas toast. It costs about 50 cents per slice, but it is worth it.
The drive-thru can get busy during lunch rush (11:30 AM to 1:00 PM). If you are in a hurry, order ahead using their app or call the store directly. This saves you from sitting in the line.
Nutritional Information And Allergens
If you are watching your calories, you need to know what you are getting. The fried chicken is not light. A single breast has about 380 calories and 21 grams of fat. A 3 tender meal with fries and a roll is around 900 calories.
Common allergens include wheat, dairy, eggs, and soy. The fryer oil is shared, so there is cross-contamination risk for people with severe allergies. If you have celiac disease, this is not the place for you. There are no gluten-free options on the fryer menu.
Here is a quick breakdown of the healthier options:
- Grilled chicken is not available. Everything is fried.
- Green beans and cole slaw are the lowest calorie sides.
- Skip the Texas toast if you are cutting carbs.
- Unsweet tea has zero calories, but the sweet tea has about 120 calories per 8 ounces.
Comparing Chicken Express To Other Chains
Chicken Express sits in a competitive space. You have Raising Cane’s, Zaxby’s, and Chick-fil-A all fighting for your chicken budget. Here is how they compare.
Raising Cane’s only sells tenders. They have a limited menu, but their sauce is legendary. Chicken Express has more variety with bone-in chicken and multiple sides.
Zaxby’s has a bigger menu with sandwiches and salads. However, Zaxby’s tends to be more expensive. Chicken Express gives you more food for the same price point.
Chick-fil-A has great chicken sandwiches, but they are closed on Sundays. Chicken Express is open seven days a week. If you need chicken on a Sunday afternoon, Chicken Express is your best bet.
In terms of value, Chicken Express wins on the family meals. The 12 piece meal at $29.99 feeds four people easily. The equivalent at other chains would cost you over $40.
Chicken Express Hours And Locations
Most Chicken Express locations are open from 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week. Some stores open earlier for breakfast, but not all of them. The breakfast menu is limited to biscuits and gravy, and it is only served until 10:30 AM.
You can find Chicken Express primarily in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. They have over 200 locations, mostly in the South. If you are outside the South, you might have to drive a while to find one. They do not have a strong national presence yet.
Use the store locator on their official website to find the nearest location. You can also order online for pickup at participating stores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions people ask about the Chicken Express menu and prices.
Does Chicken Express have a dollar menu?
No, they do not have a permanent dollar menu. However, they often run specials where individual items like fried pies or cookies are priced at 99 cents. Check your local store for current deals.
What is the cheapest thing on the Chicken Express menu?
The cheapest item is usually the individual side order at around $1.99. A single chicken leg is also affordable at about $1.79. If you want a full meal, the 2 tender meal is the lowest priced combo.
Can I order Chicken Express online?
Yes, you can order online through their official website or mobile app. You can select your items, pay in advance, and pick them up at the drive-thru window. This is the best way to skip the line.
Does Chicken Express offer a senior discount?
Some franchise locations offer a 10% senior discount for customers over 65. This is not a corporate policy, so you need to ask at your local store. It never hurts to ask politely.
Are the prices on the Chicken Express menu with prices the same everywhere?
No, prices vary by location. Franchise owners set their own prices based on local costs. A store in a big city will charge more than a rural location. The prices in this article are averages, not guarantees.
Now you have the full picture. You know what to order, what it costs, and how to get the best deal. Next time you are hungry for crispy chicken, you can walk in with confidence and order without hesitation. Just remember the Texas toast.