The Best Places to Buy Grilled Chicken Near You

You can eat grilled chicken anywhere because it’s quick, easy, and healthy. Whether you want a filling protein to put in a salad, make a sandwich, or eat by itself, grilled chicken has everything you need. But where can you get the best grilled chicken when you go out to eat or order takeout? Here are some of the best places near you to buy delicious grilled chicken.

Grocery Stores and Supermarkets

Go to the prepared foods section or deli counter at your nearby grocery store. Many of them have grilled chicken breasts, tenders, and wings that are ready to go and can be taken home. For a healthier option, choose grilled chicken over fried chicken. You can find grilled chicken every day at stores like Kroger, Safeway, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s. Some even let you pick your favorite marinades and seasonings. This is often one of the most budget-friendly options.

Fast Food Restaurants

It might surprise you, but a lot of fast food places now serve grilled chicken. Menus still have a lot of fried food, but places like McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Chick-fil-A, and KFC have a lot of healthier grilled options. There’s the Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich at McDonald’s, grilled chicken wraps at Wendy’s, and grilled chicken sandwiches and nuggets at Chick-fil-A. When you need to grab food quickly, check out the grilled chicken options.

Casual Dining Restaurants

Chain restaurants like Applebee’s Chili’s Outback Steakhouse, and Buffalo Wild Wings all have grilled chicken dishes. The grilled chicken options are usually healthier than fried chicken tenders or chicken smothered in heavy sauces. Look for simple grilled chicken breast or grilled chicken caesar salads. You can also often find grilled chicken sandwiches and wraps on these casual dining menus.

Chicken-Focused Restaurants

Restaurants centered around chicken naturally have great grilled chicken options Places like Boston Market, El Pollo Loco, Raising Cane’s, and Chicken Salad Chick all specialize in chicken dishes. You’ll find juicy grilled chicken sandwiches, salads topped with grilled chicken, and grilled chicken plates with savory sides. The chicken quality is often higher at these spots focused on preparing chicken dishes

Barbecue Restaurants

Swing by your local BBQ joint for tender, smoky grilled chicken. Barbecue restaurants pride themselves on their specialty smokers that infuse chicken and other meats with rich flavor. Try wood-smoked grilled chicken at chains like City Barbeque, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Smokey Bones, and Mission BBQ. Or visit local and regional barbecue spots for their take on grilled chicken and signature barbecue sauces.

Pizza Places

Even though it might not be the first place that comes to mind, a lot of pizza chains actually serve grilled chicken on top of pizza or in salads and subs. You can get grilled chicken at Domino’s, Pizza Hut, Papa John’s, and Little Caesars. For a quick dinner, put chicken on a grilled sub or pile up a pizza. You can also often find grilled chicken salads.

Mediterranean Restaurants

Mediterranean spots like Naya Express, Cava, and Zoes Kitchen incorporate lots of bright, fresh flavors that pair perfectly with grilled chicken. Look for grain bowls, salads, pitas, and plates that allow you to add grilled chicken. The spices and seasonings give the grilled chicken an extra kick. The tzatziki sauce served alongside is also a terrific grilled chicken accompaniment.

Family-Style Chains

Head to family-friendly chains like Applebee’s, Chili’s, Ruby Tuesday’s, TGI Friday’s, and Olive Garden for simple but tasty grilled chicken dishes. They’ll have grilled chicken sandwiches, salads, pasta dishes, and entrees featuring juicy grilled chicken breast or tenders. The variety of menu items makes it easy to find a grilled chicken meal the whole family will enjoy.

Delivery and Takeout

If you prefer to order in, most major delivery services like Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub, and Postmates allow you to filter by grilled chicken offerings. Or you can directly order takeout grilled chicken dishes from many local restaurants that focus on quick takeout and delivery. Look for grilled chicken rice bowls, sandwiches, salads, and Mediterranean plates featuring grilled chicken.

Meal Kit Delivery Services

For homemade grilled chicken meals without a trip to the grocery store, try a meal kit delivery service. Blue Apron, HelloFresh, and EveryPlate all regularly offer recipes with grilled chicken. The kits provide pre-portioned fresh ingredients and seasonings to prepare grilled chicken breasts, grilled chicken tacos, grilled chicken fajitas, and more at home.

Tips for Buying Grilled Chicken

• Opt for restaurants focused on fresh preparation rather than packaged, processed grilled chicken.

• Watch out for grilled chicken dishes with heavy sauces or cheese to keep it lighter.

• For takeout, go for grilled chicken options from restaurants within 10-15 minutes for optimal freshness and temperature.

• See if the restaurant can flavor the grilled chicken with dry rubs or marinades over heavy, creamy sauces.

• For meal kits, pick simpler grilled chicken recipes over complicated ones so it’s easy to recreate restaurant-quality.

Finding juicy, flavorful grilled chicken near you is easy with this list of go-to spots. From the prepared foods section at the grocery store to quick service outlets to family-style chains, you have endless options to get your grilled chicken fix. Keep these spots in mind next time grilled chicken sounds good for a satisfying healthy meal.