Estimated read time: 8-9 minutes
Drive by many Utah fast food restaurants selling fried chicken and you are likely to see long lines at the drive thru and inside. One of the more popular is Chic-fil-A, which has 36 Utah locations, including one in the Delta Center.
Chicken lovers can find a plethora of places serving tasty takes on fried and marinated classics throughout the state. From crispy Southern-style fare to cultural fusions, the Beehive State offers a variety of spots sure to satisfy anyone looking for a finger-licking-good plate of chicken.
Though this list doesn't include all the great places to grab some chicken in Utah, here are several to start.
Mr. Charlie's Chicken Fingers
Someone once said that beige foods are the best, and nobody does beige food better than Mr. Charlie's Chicken Fingers. The owner said he moved to Utah after college for "high-altitude adventures" but missed the homestyle food of the South where he grew up. Taking some skills he learned at another chicken place in the South, he opened Mr. Charlie's.
Get your fix of buttered Texas toast, crinkle fries, house sauce, and golden brown chicken tenders or wings at both their Draper and Murray locations.
One Google reviewer wrote, "The chicken strips were absolutely unreal. Super crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside, and seasoned perfectly. You can tell they take serious pride in what they're making."
Stop in at their Draper or Murray location from 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. a.m.-7 p.m. on Sundays.
Pretty Bird Hot Chicken
Ask anyone who lives close to the downtown/Sugarhouse area of Salt Lake and they'll recommend Pretty Bird for a chicken meal that hits the spot. Known for their hot chicken, Pretty Bird brings the heat with their sandwiches, tenders, and nugget meals.
The chef, Viet Pham, has a history of making good food. In 2011, Food & Wine Magazine named him one of "America's Best New Chefs," according to an AARP article. He also won Iron Chef America.
There are five different spice levels to choose from when you order Pretty Bird chicken, including a zero-spice option for those with delicate pallets.
There are locations in Salt Lake, Park City, and Midvale. Each has different hours, so check their website before you order.
Maddox Ranch House
A staple of northern Utah fare is Perry's Maddox Ranch House. For the last 75 years, Utahns and visitors have flocked to the restaurant for their famous fried chicken (and raspberry butter). The old fashioned-style restaurant is always busy — as evidenced by the nearly constant line to be seated. But once you're at a table, you won't have to wait long for your food to come out.
When you order the "Famous Fried Chicken," you'll get a sizeable portion: Each plate comes with a breast, thigh, leg and wing served with a homemade chicken gravy for dipping.
One diner described the fried chicken as "tender and succulent" and another mentioned how juicy it is. To see all of the reasons why people love Maddox and their fried chicken, check out their Google reviews.
The main ranch house as well as the drive-thru are open Tuesday-Saturday from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Curry Fried Chicken
In a fusion of flavor, Middle Eastern spice meets fried chicken at Curry Fried Chicken. It's a delicious fried chicken base, but the seasonings used in the breading are what make this dish stand out. The curry fried chicken plate comes with sides you'd expect to find at a Middle Eastern restaurant: pita, super basmati rice, and a veggie curry house salad.
Gastronomic SLC added Curry Fried Chicken to their list of the best fried chicken places in the Beehive State, and Utahns in the reviews agree. One Google reviewer wrote, "This place might have the best fried chicken I've had in Utah! The chicken is well marinated and the breading is very crispy and flavorful."
Curry Fried Chicken is open for lunch and dinner, though hours vary. Visit their website before you head out the door.
KFC
Though it's not a mom and pop shop, KFC started as one — in Utah. In 1952, Harland Sanders, "the Colonel," opened up the first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in Salt Lake City. His unique pressure-frying method and secret seasoning quickly made KFC a popular fast-food brand across the U.S. and the world.
According to their website, there are now 30,000 locations throughout the world. The company also claims their recipe with 11 herbs and spices is still a secret.
HSL
Folks looking for an upscale meal will find a great fried chicken with a fine dining experience at HSL. Tucked away in a minimalist building downtown, HSL serves upscale comfort foods with fresh ingredients and sides.
The fried chicken plate includes a hearty portion of chicken along with corn polenta, peashoot, spring beans, shaved asparagus, squash, and szechuan hot honey.
Their chicken dish also made Gasteronomic's list of best fried chicken in Utah. The reviewer noted the seasoning on the chicken changes with the seasons, but the fried chicken is a staple. They said, "I've not tasted a better example at a sit-down restaurant in town."
HSL is open Tuesday-Thursday from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. and Friday- Saturday 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Reservations are strongly encouraged.
Unique expressions that immediately identify someone from Utah
Whether it's the unique slang, cultural quirks or devotion to specific beverages and get-rich-quick marketing schemes, these expressions will immediately reveal a person's Utah roots. Here are words and phrases that set long-time Utah residents apart from the rest of the world.Viva Chicken
Viva Chicken in St. George is the only location outside of the Southern U.S., so eating there in Utah is a treat!
What makes their chicken unique is how it's cooked. First the chicken is marinated in Peruvian spices for 24 hours and then roasted on a rotisserie over live coals. While it's not similar to the fried options on this list, the fresh factor is a good option for those who like chicken and fresh foods.
Google reviewers report the chicken is juicy, seasoned well, and fall-off-the-bone tender. They recommend trying out the variety of sauces for the chicken and ordering a side of yuca fries. Just be sure to get there a little early — good food often requires waiting in line!
Viva Chicken is open daily from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Raising Cane's
With 11 Utah locations, Raising Cane's was already known and loved in Utah before Post Malone opened his personally-designed version in Midvale. While the chicken is still delicious, Malone's personality and creativity make this location unique.
In a KSL.com article, Raising Cane's founder, Todd Graves, was quoted as saying, "This is his (Post Malone's) vision, this Raising Cane's. There's no restaurant like this in the world, because of this man's vision."
No matter how you feel about Malone or his music, you're sure to enjoy the chicken at any of Utah's Raising Cane's locations,
Siegfried & Jensen
Since 1990, Siegfried & Jensen have been helping the people of Utah and surrounding states who have suffered needless injuries and death caused by car accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, defective drugs, dog bites, wrongful death, and other types of personal injury.
The firm is committed to keeping Utah families and communities safe by ensuring wrongdoers are held accountable. While a lawsuit isn't always the answer when it is needed having someone on your side can mean the difference between declaring bankruptcy and rebuilding your life and moving forward, especially when you're up against an insurance company or a hospital.
Siegfried & Jensen has represented more than 35,000 clients and recovered over $1.2 billion for them.
