Fried Chicken pepper vs. Carolina Reaper: which tested hotter
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We have lab-tested two harvests of the Fried Chicken pepper, and both came in above our pure Carolina Reaper, though not by much. The 2026 harvest tested at 1,035,308 Scoville units and the 2025 harvest at 1,000,542, against 975,612 for the SpiceQuest chili grinder no. 9 Reaper X.
A close result
| Grinder | Tested Scoville units | Above no. 9 Reaper X by |
|---|---|---|
| Fried Chicken, 2026 harvest | 1,035,308 | 59,696 units, about 6 percent |
| Fried Chicken, 2025 harvest | 1,000,542 | 24,930 units, about 2.6 percent |
| No. 9 Reaper X | 975,612 |
The two Fried Chicken harvests are 34,766 units apart. That is more than the 24,930 units between the 2025 harvest and the Reaper. So we call this close, with Fried Chicken slightly ahead in both tests. Why one pepper gives two numbers is covered in Why two peppers of the same variety test differently.
The 1,000,000 line happens to fall between them. Both Fried Chicken results are in the tier we call Ultrahot, 1,000,000 to 2,999,999. Reaper X is near the top of Superhot, the tier below it.
All three are pure pepper. Our other Reaper grinder, no. 10 Carolina Reaper, tested at 2,235,842, but it may contain some natural capsaicin extract, so we leave it out of this comparison. All of our results are in the Scoville chart.
Grapefruit and flowers, or pepper and citrus
The heat numbers are close. The taste is where they differ.
Fried Chicken opens with citrus, mostly grapefruit. A strong floral note follows, with a sweet, earthy taste under both. The heat builds over several minutes. It coats the whole mouth first, then gathers into a sharp sting on the front of the tongue. Try it on fried chicken while it is still hot, on scrambled eggs or on buttered popcorn.
With Reaper X there is no build. The heat is instant and long, and it covers the whole palate. The taste is peppery and sharp, with a little citrus. Try it on pho or noodle soup.
Where each comes from
The Carolina Reaper was bred by Ed Currie of PuckerButt Pepper Company in South Carolina. Fried Chicken is credited to Rocco Maltesi, an independent breeder in Italy, as a cross of 7 Pot Bubblegum Orange and Jay's Peach Ghost Scorpion. It was first called BubbleSkin.
Each has a profile: Fried Chicken pepper and Carolina Reaper.
Buying one
Reaper X is a numbered grinder and the pick for someone who wants the pure Reaper.
Fried Chicken is a limited release. The product pages for the 2026 harvest and the 2025 harvest show whether each is available. It suits someone who already cooks with Reaper-level heat and wants a citrus taste with it.
Fried Chicken tested over 1,000,000 Scoville units. Start with one press and read our ultra-hot safety page first.
Questions people ask
Is the Fried Chicken pepper hotter than a Carolina Reaper? In our tests, slightly. The two harvests tested at 1,035,308 and 1,000,542 Scoville units, and our pure Reaper, no. 9 Reaper X, at 975,612.
Does the Fried Chicken pepper taste like fried chicken? No. The name comes from the bumpy, blistered skin of the pod. The taste is grapefruit and flowers, with a sweet, earthy note under them.