Six chicken tenders and toast in Main Terminal
Slim Chickens sits past security in XNA’s Main Terminal, right in the small food court near the main gates. It’s one of the few full meals available airside, so if you want something more substantial than a snack pack, this is where you end up. Expect fast-casual counter service, plastic cutlery, and food handed over in baskets or to-go bags that are easy to take to the gate.
The menu centers on fried chicken tenders and wings, usually sold in 3-, 5-, and 6-piece combos with fries and a drink. Texas toast, coleslaw, and mac and cheese typically show up as sides. Portions run larger than what you’d get from a typical airport grab-and-go sandwich, and you’re looking at around $10–$15 for a basic meal. This is standard Slim Chickens fare, not an airport-only menu.
Orders usually come with a choice of dipping sauces, and Slim Chickens is known for having several, including house ranch and buffalo-style options. Combos often pair six tenders with one or two sauces and fries, which is enough to count as a full pre-flight dinner. Drinks skew toward fountain sodas and bottled water; don’t expect a bar program or specialty coffee here.
Hours track with flight schedules, with the counter generally open from early morning departures through the last evening banks. Since XNA is small, lines stack up quickly during 6:00–8:00 a.m. and late-afternoon peaks when several gates board at once. Seating in the food court is limited, so grabbing your food and walking a minute or two toward your gate can be more comfortable.
Tip: If your connection at XNA is under 40 minutes, order tenders and fries to go and eat at the gate instead of waiting for a table near Slim Chickens.