Barred Plymouth Rock, hands down. I've owned quite a few breeds. They are curious, intelligent, friendly, sweet, silly, attractive, entertaining and consistently good layers of extra large to jumbo eggs. They are good in cold and heat, too, plus are a bit camouflaged for freeranging. And the further you get from hatchery stock, IMO, the more likely you are to get an occasional broody, even though the breed isn't known for that.
I love my Delawares, but the only thing that knocks them from the top spot is that white chickens aren't generally my favorite color. Yep, if I have to pick only one, Barred Rocks.
