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Winner, winner! What’s for dinner? You guessed it — chicken, of course. The tasty bird is consistently the country’s number one favorite meat, and for good reason: it’s versatile, affordable, packed with protein and, most importantly, delicious. It’s no wonder that fried chicken restaurants have recently been popping up around Greater Seattle like newly hatched chicks. Each serves up the popular poultry in every way possible: from battered and fried to Korean-style and sauced, served in crispy strips or on a loaded sandwich.
Whatever your preference, one thing is for sure: these chicken-centric crowd-pleasers will hit the spot for the entire fam. From picky nugget-loving tots to hungry teens and plenty of funky flavor options to please grown-up palates, everyone will be clucking for more at these nine Greater Seattle fried chicken eateries.
Ma’ono, multiple locations
Fried chicken may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Hawaiian eats, but Chef Mark Fuller at Ma’ono is changing that, one crispy patty at a time. As a child, Fuller spent summers with his grandparents in Kauai, enjoying big family get-togethers with his grandmother’s perfectly seasoned picnic chicken. Deciding to bring the aloha spirit to Seattle, he founded Ma’ono, where the delicious fried chicken, made with a buttermilk batter and a secret Hawaiian seasoning blend, is served up either on its own or sandwiched in a butter-toasted Hawaiian bun.
The chicken comes in six spice levels, from “naked” to “extreme heat” — choose at your own risk. Island-inspired sauces and sides like cucumber poke or mac and kimcheese, as well as a plant-based chicken-fried patty option, are also available.
For kids, the Lil’ Chickie Sliders make the perfect bite-sized option. Check it out at one of the four locations, from West Seattle to Woodinville.
Raising Cane’s, Seattle
Originally hailing from Louisiana, Raising Cane’s gathered overnight lineups for the recent long-awaited opening of its first Seattle location in the U-District. The cult national chain has made its name with its uber-crunchy, tender chicken fingers, marinated with its secret spice blend, hand-battered by certified “Bird Specialists” and cooked fresh to order — the restaurant prides itself on never using heat lamps.
Side selections like the zesty, trademarked Cane’s Sauce, crispy crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw and garlicky Texas toast complete the offerings, with various combos available, including a kids’ option with two chicken fingers, sides and a drink.
Jollibee, Seattle
This popular chain, originating in the Philippines, has made its way to Seattle with a location on Rainier Avenue in Columbia City. The menu is extensive, with chicken taking a prime spot: served as golden tenders with their signature dipping sauce, on sandwiches, or in family-sized buckets of fried chicken drumsticks. Find sides you wouldn’t typically expect on a fast-food menu, like adobo rice or the famous Jolly Spaghetti. For more exotic flavors — and non-chicken alternatives — try the Palabok Fiesta, a traditional Filipino noodle and pork dish, or the burger steak: beef patties smothered in mushroom gravy.
Ezell’s Famous Chicken, Seattle
You won’t have to go far to try the famous chicken at this local hotspot, with nearly twenty locations scattered around the Puget Sound region. True to its name, Ezell’s has earned its fame as a veritable Seattle institution — having opened its first restaurant in 1984. For over forty years, the Black- and family-owned restaurant has been serving up its juicy chicken, never frozen and fried using a special technique to seal in flavor while keeping out excess oil.
Battered pieces and crispy tenders, classic or buffalo style, are available in a variety of combos (the three-piece Small Tenders is perfect for little appetites). You’ll also find satisfying comfort sides like mashed potatoes and gravy, and slow-baked BBQ beans. More daring eaters can try the southern specialities of fried chicken gizzards or livers, and don’t sleep on a slice of the sweet potato pie for dessert.
Dave’s Hot Chicken, multiple locations
Generous portion sizes, affordable prices and uniquely spiced Nashville-style fried chicken make Dave’s Hot Chicken the ultimate crowd-pleaser, drawing lines at all times of day and night. Four Seattle-area locations, including a newer one near the Downtown Redmond light rail station, dish out oversized crunchy tenders, chicken sliders piled on potato buns with pickles and slaw, or saucy boneless bites — all halal-certified and with seven heat levels to choose from. A hand-cut cauliflower version is available for non-meat eaters, and kiddos will go nuts for the loaded shakes, topped with a mountain of Oreos, M&M’s or fruity cereal.
Cookie’s Country Chicken, Seattle
Founded by a former maritime industry worker, Cookie’s Country Chicken began as a crew cooking operation in the galley on a Louisiana workboat. In Seattle, it started as a pop-up during the pandemic and became one of the city’s most popular chicken eateries with two locations in Ballard and Pioneer Square. The chicken is golden, perfectly crispy and always fried fresh, available as bone-in pieces, tenders or nuggets. Grab the 12-piece family meal for an easy dinner.
Also on the menu are sandwiches, comfort sides and hearty bowl options. Amp up the flavor with sauces like Garlic Galore or Rowdy Ranch; and spice lovers can dial up the heat with habanero or ghost pepper.
Hen House, Kirkland
This new spot, coming to us from Oregon, brings another fun dining option to Kirkland’s bustling Totem Lake Village. The simple menu spotlights the “cluckin’ good” tenders: served with fries, garlic toast and a choice of sauces and sides like coleslaw or garlic butter corn. Youngsters can go for the Lil’ Clucker combo, which comes with a single-piece tender, fries and a fun toy. Finish with a delicious whoopie pie for dessert, or hit up the Salt and Straw for a cone just steps away.
Chicko Chicken, multiple locations
Korean-style fried chicken has taken off in popularity around the nation, boasting bold Asian flavors and funky combinations. Chicko Chicken delivers the deliciousness across its five Seattle locations. The chicken options, always fried to order, come in bone-in, boneless or wing cuts, with a choice of seasonings like soy garlic, spicy ganjung or sweet cheese powder. Heat-loving grown-ups can dare to try the extra-fiery Buldak sauce, while kiddos will enjoy the honey butter variety — or just stick with the classic original version. Take your pick of fun sauces, seasoned fries and even pickled radish on the side.
Houston TX Hot Chicken, Seattle
This newcomer to Seattle’s fried chicken scene recently opened its doors in a bright airy Belltown storefront, bringing its Texas-style hot chicken to the Pacific Northwest. Started as a small passion project in 2020, HHC is now a popular national chain, with good reason. Choose from free-range tenders, nuggets or the specialty hot chicken sandwiches, available in various spice levels or seasonings like honey rub and served with a choice of side and sauces. Or try a salad or loaded fries, heaped with chicken and a variety of toppings. Kiddos can nosh on a meal just for them with nuggets, fries and a juice box. And don’t miss one of the refreshing house lemonades in flavors like blueberry lavender.
