There is no shortage of fried chicken options in Portland, with offerings spanning a wide range of styles from around the world: In one day, a visitor could eat Southern Thai fried chicken, Korean fried chicken, Malaysian fried chicken, fried chicken and jojos (a local specialty), soul food fried chicken, and more, all within city limits. Some of the fried wings and thighs on this map come in a sticky glaze; others are simply brined and fried. However, they all hit hot oil at some point, providing a satisfying crunch.
This map shows carefully breaded or battered chicken from markets, food carts, dive bars, and restaurants in Portland to honor the city’s best fried chicken spots. For more fried chicken, check out our Korean-style fried chicken or fried chicken sandwich maps.
There is no shortage of fried chicken options in Portland, with offerings spanning a wide range of styles from around the world: In one day, a visitor could eat Southern Thai fried chicken, Korean fried chicken, Malaysian fried chicken, fried chicken and jojos (a local specialty), soul food fried chicken, and more, all within city limits. Some of the fried wings and thighs on this map come in a sticky glaze; others are simply brined and fried. However, they all hit hot oil at some point, providing a satisfying crunch.
To celebrate Portland’s standout fried chicken spots, this map features carefully battered or breaded birds from markets, food carts, dive bars, and restaurants. For more fried chicken, check out our Korean-style fried chicken or fried chicken sandwich maps.
A favorite of Portland hotshots like Nikeisah Newton, this Northeast Sandy food cart sort of came out of nowhere, but owner Darrell Preston has been blowing away the competition when it comes to standout fried chicken wings. These are hearty, breaded chicken wings, unapologetically crunchy, dusted with a satisfyingly tangy seasoning blend and a drizzle of sweet-spicy sauce reminiscent of hot honey. Those intimidated by bones can opt for tenders instead.
Rangoon Bistro, which started out as a pop-up, combines flavors from the Pacific Northwest and Burmese cuisine. Its salads (called thokes) and noodle dishes are made with Oregon-grown vegetables. Still, its standout item might just be the Malaysian-inspired fried chicken. After being ordered from the counter, it soon arrives tableside crispy and succulent with a side of coconut rice, having been marinated prior in curry leaves, chilies, and lemongrass. It’s available as a quarter or half bird.
A Korean portmanteau and street food phenomenon called chimaek (chicken and beer) is the raison d’etre for this chain from Daegu, South Korea’s third-largest city. It continues to fill the demand for chicken chunks tossed in spicy and sticky-sweet gochujang and speckled with sesame seeds, having recently opened its third location at the Park The Carts pod on MLK. The compact menu features fried chicken in the form of traditional wings and their boneless counterparts, along with a whole bird option where the wings, thighs, drums, and so on, are chopped up into more finger-food-friendly forms.
In 2019, restaurateur Micah Camden expanded his local fast-casual empire with this fried chicken chain, opened with NFL defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Chicken at Baes is juicy and lightly breaded. It can be served traditional, Nashville hot, or honey butter-flavored; as sandwiches, wings, tenders, quarter-, half-, or whole birds; on top of waffles, with waffle fries or buttered corn; and dressed up with spicy peach, comeback, or cheese sauce. Mix and match to your heart’s content at one of four locations.
This unfussy neighborhood bar in a hotspot area of Northeast Killingsworth is known for its specialty cocktails and cozy wood-and-brick vibes. But its self-proclaimed “secret weapon” is the fried chicken: golden brown fried, always gluten-free, and given a flavor boost from a honey dijon glaze, served with herbed Yukon gold mashed potatoes and sautéed greens.
Located on Southeast 28th in Pod 28, FOMO Chicken offers its rendition of both Korean-style and Southern-style fried chicken. The sesame-covered Korean variant verges into boneless wing territory, dripping in sweet or spicy garlic sauce and served with pickled radish and rice. For a more classic route, the Southern version is gluten-free and arrives alongside mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and corn.
There’s a reason this old-school dive bar is nationally renowned for its fried chicken: It’s super crispy, super juicy, and — perhaps most importantly — unfussy. Some people say the secret is that the chicken sits in its dredge, which helps the coating adhere to the skin; some say it’s the fryer. Whatever it is, it’s best enjoyed in the Christmas-light-adorned bar, with a pile of jojos and a pint of beer.
The only thing better than ordering Hat Yai’s fried shallot-topped, Thai herb-spiced birds — they come whole, halved, by leg, or by wing — is ordering them in the combo, complete with sticky rice, roti, and creamy curry, a rich dipping sauce for the roti and the chicken. The combo is, in a word, iconic. Hat Yai’s chicken pairs well with cocktails such as the cooling coconut mango horchata or tamarind whiskey smash. Hat Yai has locations on both Killingsworth and Belmont.
Located within the increasingly popular Lil’ America pod on Southeast Stark, this Korea-meets-Kentucky fried chicken cart started its run with some of the city’s crunchiest, juiciest wings in town. A blend of rice, potato, and tapioca flour in the dredge, as well as a splash of vodka in the batter, helps the skin achieve that hardcore crispness; a little hit of makgeolli, a Korean rice spirit with a flavor almost akin to yogurt, behaves sort of like a buttermilk in the batter. The chicken comes in a variety of glazes and dusts, like snow cheese or gochujang, but the chicken is also great “naked,” without glaze or seasoning powder. When it comes to side, opt for mashed potatoes and curry gravy or kimchi mac and cheese, if available.
Ask any local about Jack’s wings and you’ll get the lowdown on a Portland tradition. Tucked inside this unostentatious convenience store are some gently spiced fried chicken wings, paired with the market’s deep-fried jojos. Chicken and jojos can be found across the city, but Alberta Market’s take may be Portland’s most popular.
Portland soul food magnate Kiauna Nelson’s bright red food cart slings everything from ribs to oxtail to brisket, depending on the day, but a few items are always on the daily menu, including her fried chicken. Kee’s “gold duss” seasoning — akin to a Buffalo Bleu potato chip, with a touch of sweetness and spice — hits the chicken immediately after leaving the fryer, served with hot sauce and sides. Fans of classic Southern fried comfort chicken will be elated.
While Water Ave’s Boke Bowl is better known for its bountiful bowls and bao sliders, it also features some of the best fried chicken in town once a week. Thursday nights, the Boke Bird takes center stage, inviting larger audiences to enjoy the show, family-style. For $45, party of four (or more) can enjoy a whole chicken that’s been brined for a full 48 hours, cold-smoked, chilled overnight, and then deep fried to a delightfully elegant, golden crunch sans dredging that’s finally costumed in a Tamari ginger vinaigrette with fried shallots and green onions. A supporting cast of banchan-like accoutrements, steamed buns, and rice join the main act, with a tight lineup of beer, wine, and cocktails rounding out the performance.
This brick-and-mortar outpost of one of Portland’s hottest food carts, Jojo is the spot for giant slabs of boneless fried chicken. While Instagram-worthy chicken sandwiches and burgers are standouts at this spot, the fried chicken itself is spectacular in its own right, juicy with a reliable, shatteringly crunchy exterior. Available as tenders, popcorn, or boneless thighs, the crisp batter and juicy chicken pairs extremely well with the cart’s namesake jojo potatoes and a date milkshake.
Fried chicken is an iconic comfort food loved by people across the country. The crunchy juicy chicken covered in a seasoned breading is hard to resist. When you get a craving for this southern classic, you want to know where to find the best fried chicken restaurants near you.
I’ve researched and compiled this guide to help you locate the top spots for fried chicken in your neighborhood. Whether you prefer traditional Southern-style fried chicken, Nashville hot chicken, Korean-style fried chicken, or tenders and sandwiches, this guide will point you to the nearest places cooking up the good stuff.
How to Find Good Fried Chicken Near Me
There are a lot of restaurants in your area, so how do you know which ones serve good fried chicken? Here are some tips to help you find the best ones in your area.
Check Online Review Sites
Sites like Yelp Google Reviews and Facebook are great resources to get a feel for people’s experiences at local restaurants. Look for places with high ratings and positive reviews mentioning moist, juicy chicken with a perfectly crispy coating. This helps narrow down spots cooking up the best fried chicken in your zone.
Check out Howlin’ Ray’s, which is famous for its Nashville hot chicken, and Monorom Cambodian Restaurant, which is praised for its tasty, crispy fried chicken, when you search “best fried chicken Los Angeles” on Yelp.
Check Local Food Blog & Media Lists
Major metropolitan areas often have local food blogs and news outlets that compile lists of the best fried chicken in the city. These lists can give you a great starting point of vetted restaurants to try in your search for tasty fried chicken.
For Los Angeles, Eater LA’s map of best fried chicken restaurants highlights top picks like Honey’s Kettle and Gol Tong Chicken.
Ask Locals
Don’t underestimate the power of word-of-mouth. Asking coworkers, friends, neighbors, and even social media networks for fried chicken recommendations near you can surface hidden gems you may not find on review sites and media lists. Locals will know about their neighborhood go-to spots for fried chicken.
Drive or Walk Around Your Area
Sometimes just getting out and exploring your own neighborhood is the best way to discover restaurants. Look for places advertising fried chicken on menus and signs. Be on the lookout for spots with long lines or busy dining rooms, which can indicate good food.
Use Apps to Search Nearby
Apps like Yelp, Google Maps, and TripAdvisor have features to search for specific cuisines and dishes near a given location. Enter terms like “fried chicken” or “Nashville hot chicken” and filter the results by distance to pinpoint fried chicken joints nearby.
The KFC restaurant finder at locations.kfc.com allows you to search for your nearest location as well.
What Makes Fried Chicken Good?
When you find a promising spot, what qualities should you look for in your fried chicken? Here are the keys to identifying restaurants that serve up tasty fried chicken:
Juicy, Moist Chicken
The chicken meat itself should be juicy and moist. If the chicken is dry or stringy, that is a sign of overcooking or low-quality preparation. Well-made fried chicken starts with fresh, never frozen chicken brined or marinated to keep the meat tender and flavorful.
Crispy, Seasoned Breading
The best coating for fried chicken is one that is very crispy on the outside and has seasonings that make it taste good. Try to find a light, crunchy breading that gives the chicken texture without taking away from its natural flavor. The coating should stick to the meat well without being too oily.
Consistent Results
A mark of a great fried chicken spot is the ability to execute high-quality fried chicken consistently, so every bite tastes just as good as the last. This comes down to using proper frying techniques and cooking the chicken properly every time.
Made to Order
Fried chicken is best enjoyed fresh, right after frying. Restaurants that fry chicken to order when you place it, rather than keeping batches sitting under heat lamps, will deliver superior taste and texture.
Reasonable Prices
Fried chicken is a budget-friendly food. Places that charge too much for basic fried chicken are relying more on marketing than quality. You can get tasty, filling fried chicken without spending a lot of money.
Fried Chicken Styles to Try Near You
One of the great things about fried chicken is the variety of styles and preparations. Here are some of the most popular fried chicken versions to sample from restaurants near you:
Southern Fried Chicken
This traditional style features chicken pieces like breasts, thighs, legs and wings coated in seasoned flour and fried until crispy. Look for versions that brine or marinate the chicken first for added moisture. Served with biscuits and sides like mashed potatoes or collard greens.
Nashville Hot Chicken
Originating in Nashville, this spicy fried chicken is coated in a cayenne pepper paste mixture while hot from the fryer. Flavors range from mild to extra hot. Typically served on white bread with pickles to cool the heat.
Korean Fried Chicken
Korean-style fried chicken features a thin, ultra-crispy breading with flavors like soy garlic and spicy chili. It is often fried twice for extra crunch. Korean chicken places offer boneless fried chicken and wings.
Chicken Tenders & Sandwiches
Restaurants offering fried chicken tenders and sandwiches allow you to enjoy this food in handy, on-the-go portions. Breaded tenders with dipping sauces and fried chicken sandwiches are convenient weekday meals.
Chicken & Waffles
This soul food favorite combines crispy fried chicken with waffles topped with butter and syrup for a sweet and savory treat. Keep an eye out for chicken and waffles specials at brunch spots.
Ready to Find Amazing Fried Chicken Near You?
Focus on spots that serve juicy, moist chicken with a light yet ultra-crispy coating made fresh to order. Fried chicken has so many delicious regional twists to try, from Southern-style to hot chicken and Korean versions.
With this handy guide, you can satisfy your fried chicken craving and discover new favorite local restaurants for this American classic comfort food. Now get out there and find some finger lickin’ good fried chicken near you!
Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar
One might expect to find a restaurant called Lighthouse in the other Portland, on the opposite coast, yet this off-the-beaten-track, old-school Linnton classic is a favorite among Portland chefs, especially for its fried chicken. Serious chicken heads should start with the dry-spiced, Louisiana-style chicken wings, served with classic blue cheese dressing and celery, before moving on to the hearty fried chicken dinner — boneless, buttermilk-brined fried chicken stacked on top of mashed potatoes, gravy, and braised greens.
I Tried The Best Fried Chicken In America
FAQ
Where’s a good place to get fried chicken?
Top 10 Best Fried Chicken Near Los Angeles, CaliforniaHowlin’ Ray’s. 4. 7 (8k reviews) . Gol Tong Chicken. 4. 8 (2. 5k reviews) . Fat Daddy. 4. 4 (67 reviews) . Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken. 4. 2 (1. 8k reviews) . Rice Chicken. 4. 7 (190 reviews) . Humble Bird. 4. 8 (396 reviews) . Tenkatori. 4. 8 (332 reviews) . Dinah’s Chicken.
What fast food has the best quality chicken?
Several fast-food chains are known for high-quality chicken, but Popeyes and Chick-fil-A are frequently cited as top contenders. Popeyes is praised for its flavorful, crispy, and well-seasoned chicken. Chick-fil-A is also highly regarded for its juicy and flavorful chicken, particularly in its chicken sandwich.
Which fast food sells real chicken?
7 Fast Food Chains That Use Real, High-Quality ChickenChick-fil-A. Chicken plays a central role at Chick-fil-A, so the chain is dedicated to ensuring the quality of its meat. BurgerFi. El Pollo Loco. Culver’s. Chipotle. Elevation Burger. Panera Bread.
What is the best fried chicken franchise?
People have different opinions about which fried chicken chain is the best, but KFC, Popeyes, and Chick-fil-A are always ranked as top contenders. KFC’s “Original Recipe” fried chicken is made with a secret mix of 11 herbs and spices. Popeyes’ New Orleans-style fried chicken is known for having strong flavors and a spicy kick.