Fast-food alternative to a nugget

CHICKENTENDER

This crispy, strip-shaped piece is often served with dipping sauces and is made from a more tender part of the bird than wings. You might find it in a basket or as part of a combo meal.

This clue plays on the idea of a fast-food menu staple. A "nugget" is a bite-sized piece of chicken, and the "alternative" here is another popular chicken item—"tender," which is a larger, strip-shaped piece. The answer combines "chicken" with "tender" to form "CHICKENTENDER," a straightforward term for the dish. No wordplay is involved; it’s a direct comparison between two common fast-food options.