Finger-lickin’ chicken
Sometimes, a big plate of chicken that's been dipped in batter and fried until it's juicy, crispy, and golden, just can't be beaten. Chicken is delicious, satisfying, and frankly downright tasty. Whether it comes in a bun with fries, or as whole pieces alongside a classic side, we've found the best fried chicken in every state throughout America.
Iowa: Sneaky's Chicken, Sioux City
Sneaky’s Chicken was founded in 1979 by brothers Dave and Rick Ferris, who aimed to provide high-quality food at a fair price. More than 30 years later, the business is still going strong, receiving high praise from customers. The casual restaurant’s menu includes chicken buckets with as many as 300 pieces (yes, 300!), plus hot wings, buffalo chicken sandwiches, and breaded gizzards.
Illinois: Honey Butter Fried Chicken, Chicago
For crispy, juicy, flavorsome chicken and show-stopping sandwiches, head to Honey Butter Fried Chicken. The diner serves up a wide range of sandwiches as well as mains like buffalo mac 'n' cheese and fried chicken with French toast. But the main attraction here is the signature fried chicken meal served with honey butter and corn muffins. Pair it with a selection of dipping sauces and sides.
Kansas: Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken, Kansas City
Just a couple of blocks from the Missouri state border, this Kansas City outpost of Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken is one of several locations the small chain has across the country. Based on the Bonner family recipe from 1953, the chicken is slightly spicy with a thick layer of seasoned crispy breading hugging various cuts of chicken, from breast and thigh to leg and wing. The traditional sides, like baked beans and potato salad, also come from family recipes that have stood the test of time.
Georgia: Busy Bee Cafe, Atlanta
A real Atlanta institution, this old-timer has been around since 1947, serving excellent fried chicken that customers keep coming back for. The recipe to success here is simple – the chicken is brined for 12 hours, hand-breaded and freshly fried. The smothered version, with the chicken served on rice with generous lashings of pan gravy, is equally good. There are sides like candied yams, fried okra, and collard greens to complete the meal.
Florida: Yardbird, Miami
One of the hottest spots in Miami Beach, James Beard–nominated Yardbird serves unbelievably tasty fried chicken. While other menu items at this upscale restaurant, such as lemon basil pasta and lobster mac 'n' cheese, might distract you, it's the chicken that steals the show. Lewellyn’s Fine Fried Chicken, served with homemade honey hot sauce, was inspired by owner John Kunkel's grandmother’s recipe and takes 27 hours to prepare. It's not surprising it's become the stuff of legends. Other menu highlights include chicken and waffles and whole fried chicken (served as pieces).
Missouri: Southern, St Louis
Inspired by Nashville hot chicken, the poultry at Southern is juicy, crispy and perfectly spiced. Choose the pieces you want (nuggets, tenders, legs, and thighs are all on offer), pair it with a couple of sides – think classics like mac 'n' cheese and coleslaw – and decide your level of heat. It ranges from original with a hint of spice to hot that'll burn your lips. There are also options to go sweet and spicy by picking General Tso's seasoning, or opt for a hot honey glaze.
Nebraska: Dirty Birds, Omaha
Located in Omaha's Switch Beer and Food Hall, Dirty Birds does something incredible to its chicken. The meat is brined for two days in leftover liquid from pickling green beans and cucumbers. It's then coated in batter and fried to a perfect golden brown, and finished with your choice of sauce, from Nashville hot to garlic honey. This process achieves a crispy, salty exterior with moist, tender meat that customers love. The chicken is served with pickles, sauce, a side, and a biscuit, or you can order it in a brioche sandwich.
Louisiana: Willie Mae's Scotch House, New Orleans
Willie Mae established Scotch House in 1957, when it started life as a bar, barbershop, and beauty salon. By the early 1970s, demand for her food grew so much that the other parts of the business closed. In 2005, Willie Mae's was even awarded a prestigious James Beard Award, but that same year the diner was sadly struck by Hurricane Katrina. After reopening, it was more popular than ever, with customers traveling from across the country and beyond to taste the legendary fried chicken.
Minnesota: Revival, various locations
There are four Revival restaurants in Minnesota, all serving an incredible array of Southern dishes from shrimp 'n' grits to mac ‘n’ cheese. But the fried chicken – whether Southern-fried or Tennessee hot – is really the star of the show. Available in pieces, or as a whole or half bird, it's also stuffed in sandwiches and served with waffles, honey butter, and maple syrup.
Sometimes, a big plate of chicken that's been dipped in batter and fried until it's juicy, crispy, and golden, just can't be beaten. Chicken is delicious, satisfying, and frankly downright tasty. Whether it comes in a bun with fries, or as whole pieces alongside a classic side, we've found the best fried chicken in every state throughout America.
Iowa: Sneaky's Chicken, Sioux City
Sneaky’s Chicken was founded in 1979 by brothers Dave and Rick Ferris, who aimed to provide high-quality food at a fair price. More than 30 years later, the business is still going strong, receiving high praise from customers. The casual restaurant’s menu includes chicken buckets with as many as 300 pieces (yes, 300!), plus hot wings, buffalo chicken sandwiches, and breaded gizzards.
Illinois: Honey Butter Fried Chicken, Chicago
For crispy, juicy, flavorsome chicken and show-stopping sandwiches, head to Honey Butter Fried Chicken. The diner serves up a wide range of sandwiches as well as mains like buffalo mac 'n' cheese and fried chicken with French toast. But the main attraction here is the signature fried chicken meal served with honey butter and corn muffins. Pair it with a selection of dipping sauces and sides.
Kansas: Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken, Kansas City
Just a couple of blocks from the Missouri state border, this Kansas City outpost of Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken is one of several locations the small chain has across the country. Based on the Bonner family recipe from 1953, the chicken is slightly spicy with a thick layer of seasoned crispy breading hugging various cuts of chicken, from breast and thigh to leg and wing. The traditional sides, like baked beans and potato salad, also come from family recipes that have stood the test of time.
Georgia: Busy Bee Cafe, Atlanta
A real Atlanta institution, this old-timer has been around since 1947, serving excellent fried chicken that customers keep coming back for. The recipe to success here is simple – the chicken is brined for 12 hours, hand-breaded and freshly fried. The smothered version, with the chicken served on rice with generous lashings of pan gravy, is equally good. There are sides like candied yams, fried okra, and collard greens to complete the meal.
Florida: Yardbird, Miami
One of the hottest spots in Miami Beach, James Beard–nominated Yardbird serves unbelievably tasty fried chicken. While other menu items at this upscale restaurant, such as lemon basil pasta and lobster mac 'n' cheese, might distract you, it's the chicken that steals the show. Lewellyn’s Fine Fried Chicken, served with homemade honey hot sauce, was inspired by owner John Kunkel's grandmother’s recipe and takes 27 hours to prepare. It's not surprising it's become the stuff of legends. Other menu highlights include chicken and waffles and whole fried chicken (served as pieces).
Missouri: Southern, St Louis
Inspired by Nashville hot chicken, the poultry at Southern is juicy, crispy and perfectly spiced. Choose the pieces you want (nuggets, tenders, legs, and thighs are all on offer), pair it with a couple of sides – think classics like mac 'n' cheese and coleslaw – and decide your level of heat. It ranges from original with a hint of spice to hot that'll burn your lips. There are also options to go sweet and spicy by picking General Tso's seasoning, or opt for a hot honey glaze.
Nebraska: Dirty Birds, Omaha
Located in Omaha's Switch Beer and Food Hall, Dirty Birds does something incredible to its chicken. The meat is brined for two days in leftover liquid from pickling green beans and cucumbers. It's then coated in batter and fried to a perfect golden brown, and finished with your choice of sauce, from Nashville hot to garlic honey. This process achieves a crispy, salty exterior with moist, tender meat that customers love. The chicken is served with pickles, sauce, a side, and a biscuit, or you can order it in a brioche sandwich.
Louisiana: Willie Mae's Scotch House, New Orleans
Willie Mae established Scotch House in 1957, when it started life as a bar, barbershop, and beauty salon. By the early 1970s, demand for her food grew so much that the other parts of the business closed. In 2005, Willie Mae's was even awarded a prestigious James Beard Award, but that same year the diner was sadly struck by Hurricane Katrina. After reopening, it was more popular than ever, with customers traveling from across the country and beyond to taste the legendary fried chicken.
Minnesota: Revival, various locations
There are four Revival restaurants in Minnesota, all serving an incredible array of Southern dishes from shrimp 'n' grits to mac ‘n’ cheese. But the fried chicken – whether Southern-fried or Tennessee hot – is really the star of the show. Available in pieces, or as a whole or half bird, it's also stuffed in sandwiches and served with waffles, honey butter, and maple syrup.
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