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Several pieces of fried chicken sit in a high-rimmed white bowl on a table with a vase of red flowers visible in the background. Plush red booth seating is also visible.
Fried chicken at Buttermilk & Bourbon.
Maria DeNapoli

Where to Find Top-Notch Fried Chicken in Greater Boston

Crispy, juicy, sometimes spicy

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Fried chicken at Buttermilk & Bourbon.
| Maria DeNapoli

Boston really loves its fried chicken, from Tennessee hot to buttermilk-brined to Korean. Chicken and waffles makes an appearance on numerous menus around town, brunch and otherwise, while other restaurants offer fried chicken sandwiches and other related dishes.

Whichever style you're seeking, there's probably a local restaurant that can satisfy your fried chicken needs. Here are 20 options to try in and around Boston.

See also: Where to Eat Chicken Wings in and Around Boston

This map was originally published on July 24, 2017, and is updated periodically; the date of the most recent update is noted above.

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Neighborhood Kitchen

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Hidden in a mostly residential corner of Medford, this local favorite serves comfort food with Haitian and Asian influences. The chicken and waffles are a highlight — choose red velvet, Asian sesame and scallion, or honey cornbread for the waffle and one of six flavors for the wings or tenders — but the Spring Street sandwich is also a must, featuring spicy fried chicken with chipotle mayo, bacon jam, and a pickle.

Overhead view of four round aluminum takeout containers on a table, two with thick waffles (one red velvet) and two with fried chicken tenders.
Chicken and waffles from Neighborhood Kitchen in Medford.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Revival Cafe & Kitchen

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At the end of the week, it’s “fried chicken Friday” at Revival, with an ever-changing (and ever-popular) chicken sandwich featuring a big hunk of brined and fried boneless thigh and whatever toppings the kitchen dreams up that week. Watch Instagram for an announcement about the sandwich of the week, and expect a crowd at the cafe’s three locations (103 Newbury Street, Boston; 197 Elm Street, Somerville; and 125 Cambridgepark Drive, Cambridge).

Visitors to Sarma must save a bit of room to accommodate the surprise specials: Servers roam around the dining room with trays, offering up interesting bites that aren't on the regular menu. While it's always a safe bet that these roving specials are going to be delicious, diners must absolutely say yes to the fried chicken if it appears. The boneless thighs are crispy with a sesame and nigella seed coating, and they're seasoned with green harissa and served with a tahini remoulade.

Overhead view of three bowls of fried chicken, garnished with herbs and served on a Turkish-style silver platter
Fried chicken at Sarma.
Susie Cushner

Highland Kitchen

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Neighborhood mainstay Highland Kitchen is still running its longstanding Monday night special: buttermilk fried chicken and tiki-inspired cocktails. It’s one of a few popular weekly events; the calendar also includes karaoke on Wednesdays, bluegrass brunch on Sundays, and a spelling bee (really) on the first Tuesday of the month.

Popular poke shop Manoa is only open Thursday through Saturday, but navigating the sparse schedule is worth it for the mochiko fried chicken topped with spiced honey. Pair it with some poke and sides like rice and mac salad, but don’t forget to leave room for pineapple cake.

A plate of fried chicken, white rice, mac salad, kimchi, greens, and a chile-glazed piece of salmon belly
Fried chicken plate at Manoa.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Hot Chix

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Don’t look for Hot Chix at this address yet; the Inman Square restaurant is set to open later in 2022. Meanwhile, the Hot Chix team has been popping up at breweries and restaurants around town for the last few years, serving irresistible Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, biscuits, and other sides. Find pop-up announcements on Instagram.

A large piece of spicy fried chicken comes out the edges of a soft bun; it’s topped with slaw and pickles. Two biscuits sit in the background.
Chicken sandwich and biscuits from Hot Chix.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

State Park

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Can't handle too much heat? Opt for State Park’s Tabasco honey fried chicken rather than the Nashville hot. Either will more than satisfy all fried chicken needs, and each comes with appropriate sides. There's also a Japanese-style chicken katsu sandwich available, featuring panko fried chicken. Proof of vaccination required for indoor dining.

The Smoke Shop

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This Kendall Square barbecue joint — which has four newer siblings around Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville — has plenty of options for those who feel like venturing away from ribs, brisket, and the like. Try the fried chicken in sandwich form (with pimento cheese, ranch, lettuce, tomato, and onion), or get it in a basket with fermented honey hot sauce and a couple of sides.

Two crispy pieces of fried chicken sit on a bun, topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion. The bun is on brown paper on a metal tray; there’s a Smoke Shop logo on the paper. A small white bowl of pickles and a watermelon slice are also on the tray.
Fried chicken sandwich at the Smoke Shop.
The Smoke Shop

Lily P's

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Lily P’s focuses on two things: fried chicken and oysters. Diners will find a variety of ways to eat the ultra-juicy pressure fried chicken at the Kendall Square restaurant and bar, whether in one of several sandwiches (try the “hot n’ honey” — Nashville hot chicken with black pepper honey, arugula, and Duke’s mayo) or on a plate or on a waffle. The ambiance is fun, too, with darts, shuffleboard tables, and other entertainment. Find a counter-service offshoot at West End food hall Hub Hall.

Closeup of a fried chicken sandwich with pickled onions, pickles, and mayo
A fried chicken sandwich at Lily P’s.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

The Coast Café

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Open for over a decade, this tiny soul food restaurant in Cambridge is perhaps best known for its fried chicken. About 300 pounds of chicken are served every week, chef/owner Tony Brooks previously told Eater, and the fried chicken combination plate (chicken, two sides, cornbread) is one of the restaurant's best-sellers. The chicken is marinated for 24 hours before frying, Brooks said. (Note: As of press time, the restaurant is on hiatus and scheduled to reopen on July 13, 2022; watch its website for pertinent updates.)

Overhead view of a black plastic takeout container in three sections. The small sections contain mac and cheese and collard greens; the large section contains pieces of fried chicken on aluminum foil. The container sits on a light wooden surface.
Fried chicken at the Coast Café.
Korsha Wilson/Eater

Fiya Chicken

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Fiya Chicken opened in Allston in late 2020, further solidifying the neighborhood as the spot for Korean fried chicken. Fiya does twice-fried chicken in many forms (wing, tender, and sandwich), as well as corn dogs fried in pancake batter.

Buttermilk & Bourbon

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With a name like Buttermilk & Bourbon, a restaurant had better serve a good buttermilk fried chicken — and fortunately it does. Get it in the form of wings, boneless thighs, or a bone-in half chicken, served in a choice of styles (Nashville hot, sweet and spicy, or with barbecue syrup or white barbecue sauce). Might as well stick with the fried theme and get some beignets for dessert. There’s a location in Watertown, too.

Several pieces of fried chicken sit in a high-rimmed white bowl on a table with a vase of red flowers visible in the background. Plush red booth seating is also visible.
Fried chicken at Buttermilk & Bourbon.
Maria DeNapoli

This Chinatown restaurant is especially proud of its chicken, hence its former name, Crave — Mad for Chicken. Fried Korean-style, it comes as wings and drums, chicken and waffles, and more.

A couple metal trays of saucy chicken wings
Wings at Crave - Mad for Chicken.
Crave - Mad for Chicken

Moonshine 152

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This South Boston restaurant's award-winning buttermilk fried chicken wings are served with a poblano ranch dressing. There’s also a fried chicken and waffle dish (named for Leslie Knope, one of several nods to Parks and Recreation at Moonshine 152) with Sriracha bourbon sauce and cinnamon honey butter.

Darryl's Corner Bar & Kitchen

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The peach sweet chile country fried chicken wings are the move at Darryl’s, but the “glorifried” chicken and waffles are also excellent.

Slade’s Bar & Grill

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Slade’s, which dates back to 1935, is known for its active events calendar, from live music to comedy shows, but don’t miss the food, particularly the fried chicken wings, tossed in “secret seasonings.” The entree portion comes with two sides, such as fried plantains or spicy fries.

Fried chicken sits on a white plate on a black background, accompanied by small white bowls of potato salad and collard greens
Fried chicken at Slade’s Bar & Grill.
Slade’s Bar & Grill

Cutty's

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Cutty's popular Super Cluckin' Sunday special happens just once a month; upcoming dates are posted on the restaurant's website. The buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, served on a buttery sesame brioche bun, must be preordered a few days in advance (and sells out quickly), and it's topped with either ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, shredded iceberg, and shaved sweet onion or honey mustard, sharp cheddar, mayo, shredded iceberg, and sweet onion.

A fried chicken sandwich on a sesame bun sits on white paper on an orange tray
Cutty’s fried chicken sandwich.
Cutty’s

Side Chick

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This Dorchester newcomer arrived in early 2022, taking over the former Singh’s Roti storefront after Singh’s moved to a larger space nearby. It’s already building up quite a fanbase for its extensive menu of halal fried chicken in various forms, from sandwiches like the “hot Cheeto” (crispy chicken, lettuce, banana peppers, Cheetos, and cheese sauce) to fingers, wings, and chicken-topped salads.

Hemlock Grill

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Local fried chicken fans know that one of the best around was at now-closed Cambridge restaurant Bisq during chef Alex Sáenz’s tenure there. Well, he’s still in Greater Boston, still frying up excellent chicken — just over in Chestnut Hill these days, at a golf course of all places. Hemlock Grill is open to the public for indoor and outdoor dining — you don’t even have to golf — with two fried chicken sandwiches (one is Nashville hot) or fried chicken by the basket, served with fries and ranch.

Brassica Kitchen + Cafe

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The Whisk pop-up team settled into their own permanent space in Jamaica Plain a few years ago, where they're serving a varied menu with plenty of surprises. Take the fried chicken, for example — it's served with maple umeboshi (pickled Japanese plum-like fruits), lime, and cabbage, with optional hot sauce. Try pairing it with the maple, miso, and lemon Brussels sprouts.

A fried chicken sandwich with a pickled tomato, side of fries, and a bloody mary sit on a shiny black restaurant table in front of a brick wall.
Fried chicken sandwich at Brassica.
Brassica Kitchen + Cafe

Neighborhood Kitchen

Hidden in a mostly residential corner of Medford, this local favorite serves comfort food with Haitian and Asian influences. The chicken and waffles are a highlight — choose red velvet, Asian sesame and scallion, or honey cornbread for the waffle and one of six flavors for the wings or tenders — but the Spring Street sandwich is also a must, featuring spicy fried chicken with chipotle mayo, bacon jam, and a pickle.

Overhead view of four round aluminum takeout containers on a table, two with thick waffles (one red velvet) and two with fried chicken tenders.
Chicken and waffles from Neighborhood Kitchen in Medford.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Revival Cafe & Kitchen

At the end of the week, it’s “fried chicken Friday” at Revival, with an ever-changing (and ever-popular) chicken sandwich featuring a big hunk of brined and fried boneless thigh and whatever toppings the kitchen dreams up that week. Watch Instagram for an announcement about the sandwich of the week, and expect a crowd at the cafe’s three locations (103 Newbury Street, Boston; 197 Elm Street, Somerville; and 125 Cambridgepark Drive, Cambridge).

Sarma

Visitors to Sarma must save a bit of room to accommodate the surprise specials: Servers roam around the dining room with trays, offering up interesting bites that aren't on the regular menu. While it's always a safe bet that these roving specials are going to be delicious, diners must absolutely say yes to the fried chicken if it appears. The boneless thighs are crispy with a sesame and nigella seed coating, and they're seasoned with green harissa and served with a tahini remoulade.

Overhead view of three bowls of fried chicken, garnished with herbs and served on a Turkish-style silver platter
Fried chicken at Sarma.
Susie Cushner

Highland Kitchen

Neighborhood mainstay Highland Kitchen is still running its longstanding Monday night special: buttermilk fried chicken and tiki-inspired cocktails. It’s one of a few popular weekly events; the calendar also includes karaoke on Wednesdays, bluegrass brunch on Sundays, and a spelling bee (really) on the first Tuesday of the month.

Manoa

Popular poke shop Manoa is only open Thursday through Saturday, but navigating the sparse schedule is worth it for the mochiko fried chicken topped with spiced honey. Pair it with some poke and sides like rice and mac salad, but don’t forget to leave room for pineapple cake.

A plate of fried chicken, white rice, mac salad, kimchi, greens, and a chile-glazed piece of salmon belly
Fried chicken plate at Manoa.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Hot Chix

Don’t look for Hot Chix at this address yet; the Inman Square restaurant is set to open later in 2022. Meanwhile, the Hot Chix team has been popping up at breweries and restaurants around town for the last few years, serving irresistible Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, biscuits, and other sides. Find pop-up announcements on Instagram.

A large piece of spicy fried chicken comes out the edges of a soft bun; it’s topped with slaw and pickles. Two biscuits sit in the background.
Chicken sandwich and biscuits from Hot Chix.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

State Park

Can't handle too much heat? Opt for State Park’s Tabasco honey fried chicken rather than the Nashville hot. Either will more than satisfy all fried chicken needs, and each comes with appropriate sides. There's also a Japanese-style chicken katsu sandwich available, featuring panko fried chicken. Proof of vaccination required for indoor dining.

The Smoke Shop

This Kendall Square barbecue joint — which has four newer siblings around Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville — has plenty of options for those who feel like venturing away from ribs, brisket, and the like. Try the fried chicken in sandwich form (with pimento cheese, ranch, lettuce, tomato, and onion), or get it in a basket with fermented honey hot sauce and a couple of sides.

Two crispy pieces of fried chicken sit on a bun, topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion. The bun is on brown paper on a metal tray; there’s a Smoke Shop logo on the paper. A small white bowl of pickles and a watermelon slice are also on the tray.
Fried chicken sandwich at the Smoke Shop.
The Smoke Shop

Lily P's

Lily P’s focuses on two things: fried chicken and oysters. Diners will find a variety of ways to eat the ultra-juicy pressure fried chicken at the Kendall Square restaurant and bar, whether in one of several sandwiches (try the “hot n’ honey” — Nashville hot chicken with black pepper honey, arugula, and Duke’s mayo) or on a plate or on a waffle. The ambiance is fun, too, with darts, shuffleboard tables, and other entertainment. Find a counter-service offshoot at West End food hall Hub Hall.

Closeup of a fried chicken sandwich with pickled onions, pickles, and mayo
A fried chicken sandwich at Lily P’s.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

The Coast Café

Open for over a decade, this tiny soul food restaurant in Cambridge is perhaps best known for its fried chicken. About 300 pounds of chicken are served every week, chef/owner Tony Brooks previously told Eater, and the fried chicken combination plate (chicken, two sides, cornbread) is one of the restaurant's best-sellers. The chicken is marinated for 24 hours before frying, Brooks said. (Note: As of press time, the restaurant is on hiatus and scheduled to reopen on July 13, 2022; watch its website for pertinent updates.)

Overhead view of a black plastic takeout container in three sections. The small sections contain mac and cheese and collard greens; the large section contains pieces of fried chicken on aluminum foil. The container sits on a light wooden surface.
Fried chicken at the Coast Café.
Korsha Wilson/Eater

Fiya Chicken

Fiya Chicken opened in Allston in late 2020, further solidifying the neighborhood as the spot for Korean fried chicken. Fiya does twice-fried chicken in many forms (wing, tender, and sandwich), as well as corn dogs fried in pancake batter.

Buttermilk & Bourbon

With a name like Buttermilk & Bourbon, a restaurant had better serve a good buttermilk fried chicken — and fortunately it does. Get it in the form of wings, boneless thighs, or a bone-in half chicken, served in a choice of styles (Nashville hot, sweet and spicy, or with barbecue syrup or white barbecue sauce). Might as well stick with the fried theme and get some beignets for dessert. There’s a location in Watertown, too.

Several pieces of fried chicken sit in a high-rimmed white bowl on a table with a vase of red flowers visible in the background. Plush red booth seating is also visible.
Fried chicken at Buttermilk & Bourbon.
Maria DeNapoli

Crave

This Chinatown restaurant is especially proud of its chicken, hence its former name, Crave — Mad for Chicken. Fried Korean-style, it comes as wings and drums, chicken and waffles, and more.

A couple metal trays of saucy chicken wings
Wings at Crave - Mad for Chicken.
Crave - Mad for Chicken

Moonshine 152

This South Boston restaurant's award-winning buttermilk fried chicken wings are served with a poblano ranch dressing. There’s also a fried chicken and waffle dish (named for Leslie Knope, one of several nods to Parks and Recreation at Moonshine 152) with Sriracha bourbon sauce and cinnamon honey butter.

Darryl's Corner Bar & Kitchen

The peach sweet chile country fried chicken wings are the move at Darryl’s, but the “glorifried” chicken and waffles are also excellent.

Related Maps

Slade’s Bar & Grill

Slade’s, which dates back to 1935, is known for its active events calendar, from live music to comedy shows, but don’t miss the food, particularly the fried chicken wings, tossed in “secret seasonings.” The entree portion comes with two sides, such as fried plantains or spicy fries.

Fried chicken sits on a white plate on a black background, accompanied by small white bowls of potato salad and collard greens
Fried chicken at Slade’s Bar & Grill.
Slade’s Bar & Grill

Cutty's

Cutty's popular Super Cluckin' Sunday special happens just once a month; upcoming dates are posted on the restaurant's website. The buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, served on a buttery sesame brioche bun, must be preordered a few days in advance (and sells out quickly), and it's topped with either ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, shredded iceberg, and shaved sweet onion or honey mustard, sharp cheddar, mayo, shredded iceberg, and sweet onion.

A fried chicken sandwich on a sesame bun sits on white paper on an orange tray
Cutty’s fried chicken sandwich.
Cutty’s

Side Chick

This Dorchester newcomer arrived in early 2022, taking over the former Singh’s Roti storefront after Singh’s moved to a larger space nearby. It’s already building up quite a fanbase for its extensive menu of halal fried chicken in various forms, from sandwiches like the “hot Cheeto” (crispy chicken, lettuce, banana peppers, Cheetos, and cheese sauce) to fingers, wings, and chicken-topped salads.

Hemlock Grill

Local fried chicken fans know that one of the best around was at now-closed Cambridge restaurant Bisq during chef Alex Sáenz’s tenure there. Well, he’s still in Greater Boston, still frying up excellent chicken — just over in Chestnut Hill these days, at a golf course of all places. Hemlock Grill is open to the public for indoor and outdoor dining — you don’t even have to golf — with two fried chicken sandwiches (one is Nashville hot) or fried chicken by the basket, served with fries and ranch.

Brassica Kitchen + Cafe

The Whisk pop-up team settled into their own permanent space in Jamaica Plain a few years ago, where they're serving a varied menu with plenty of surprises. Take the fried chicken, for example — it's served with maple umeboshi (pickled Japanese plum-like fruits), lime, and cabbage, with optional hot sauce. Try pairing it with the maple, miso, and lemon Brussels sprouts.

A fried chicken sandwich with a pickled tomato, side of fries, and a bloody mary sit on a shiny black restaurant table in front of a brick wall.
Fried chicken sandwich at Brassica.
Brassica Kitchen + Cafe

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