Rebecca DavisI went hunting for the best fried chicken in Philadelphia after takeout nights left me craving real crunch.
The city has an incredible food scene, so even if I spend a night at a top-tier sushi restaurant or wander through legendary local restaurants, I can’t leave without a basket of perfectly seasoned, shatteringly crisp chicken.
Between weekend cravings and casual lunches, I tried out spots that locals swear by, from neighborhood favorites to buzzy newcomers across the city. Here are the spots that earned a permanent place on my crispy-chicken rotation.
How much does fried chicken cost in Philadelphia?
Fried chicken in Philadelphia typically costs $6 to $45, with a quick individual bite on the low end and a big family feast on the high end.
| Meal Type | Price Range |
| Individual Meals & Combos | $6 – $15 |
| Family & Bulk Orders | $20 – $45 |
| Fast-Food & National Chains | From $5 |
1. Love & Honey Fried Chicken
Website: https://www.loveandhoneyfriedchicken.com/
Address: 1100 North Front Street
Contact: (215) 789-7878
Hours: Open daily, 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
A craving for something sweet and savory is what first led me to Love & Honey Fried Chicken, where they serve hand-dredged, small-batch fried chicken made fresh to order.
Because every basket gets individual attention, the chicken comes out premium quality, and they go with a no-antibiotics-ever approach. The signature move is a drizzle of pure honey that pairs really well with their scratch-made sides and desserts.
When I bit into a hot tender on my last visit, the crunch was loud enough to stop traffic. The hospitality is warm, too, and the whole place feels like home, though it runs as a takeout-first spot.
Just keep in mind that parking near the location can be brutal, and you might wait a bit during the dinner rush.
Customer Reviews
A solid option if you’re craving fried chicken
The Nashville fried chicken sandwich was excellent—flavorful and nicely spicy, which I really enjoyed. The fried chicken/tenders were decent, though a bit too greasy for my taste. Overall, still a solid option if you’re craving fried chicken. They only do take-out, order ahead so you don’t have to wait, and be prepared because parking is brutal
- KARIM ELKHOLY | Google Review
Crispy, crunchy, and tasty
The best delivery fried chicken in Philly, hands down! Crispy, crunchy, and tasty — they brine their chicken well and fry it with perfection! Some stellar chicken sandwiches and some memorable tots! Don’t get me started on The Biscuit Jawn — a savory sandwich that is a must-try!
- Ernest Owens | Google Review
2. CM Chicken Philadelphia
Website: https://www.cm-chicken.com/
Address: 3180 Chestnut St.
Contact: (201) 499-5300
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
I headed into University City and found CM Chicken Philadelphia dishing out spectacular Korean fried chicken with its Tikku charcoal-grilled method.
The technique takes extra-crispy fried chicken and finishes it over charcoal with signature sauces, locking in a deep, smoky flavor. The kitchen also uses never-frozen chicken and a strict 24-hour marination, so every piece stays juicy on the inside.
If you’re after a specialized Korean flavor, you’ll love options like the famous Snow Onion or the spicy garlic glazes.
The menu stretches well beyond traditional fried chicken, too, with rice bowls and unique sides to round things out.
The one catch is that the sauce can land unevenly from time to time, so a basket may taste a little inconsistent depending on the day.
Customer Reviews
One of the best korean fried chicken in philly
One of the best korean fried chicken in philly, they are very generous for the sauce. My favorites is snow onion and cheese monster. Today i tried tteobokki it was lit and portion big enough to share
- Lidya Henryca | Google Review
The fried chicken was crispy and delicious
Glad that we found this place, which was a stone’s throw from the Penn Squash Center. The fried chicken was crispy and delicious and their Snow Onion sauce was strangely addictive. We definitely need to get takeout from there again!
- Alison Cho | Google Review
3. Wishbone – Center City
Website: https://wishbonephilly.com/
Address: 210 S. 13th Street
Contact: (215) 309-3667
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Friday-Saturday, 11:00 AM – 4:00 AM
Late-night cravings downtown are easy to fix at Wishbone, a Center City spot serving craft fried chicken that sits somewhere between fast casual and fine dining.
Their claim to fame is a pretzel-crusted fried chicken that delivers a genuinely unique texture. They also source locally raised, hormone-free, and antibiotic-free chicken to keep things wholesome.
A close buddy of mine swears by their late-night tenders after a long weekend shift, and he says the small-batch prep keeps everything fresh. You can pair your meal with a creative sauce program featuring truffle aioli or savory pestos.
It’s a modern, fun concept, but he did mention the chicken can taste a little under-seasoned if you skip the dipping sauces. So grab a sauce on the side, and you are set.
Customer Reviews
Fried chicken sandwich crispy and juicy
The person behind the counter was so nice and gave us the run down of the place. She even gave me a sample of Mac and cheese. The dirty tater tots were crispy and so was the bacon and I liked the ranch based sauc3. The wishboner was a delicious fried chicken sandwich crispy and juicy. Note I would ask for sauce on the side because it is side heavy. I went here to try a new place and to celebrate my coworker 4 year anniversary. As always support local businesses.
- Scott Heigl-Yates | Google Review
So fulfilling
O.M.G‼️ Delicious!! I was craving for a chicken sandwich, but i didnt want anything familiar. So i googled “chicken sandwiches near me.” And boom, Wishbone popped up. Let me tell you….. its freaking good! I had the “Wishboner fried chicken sandwich”. The sauce is incredible. Its so fulfilling. Such a beautiful presentation too. Ordered to go & it only took 4-5 minutes…FRESH! I love it here💕
- Naadhira King | Google Review
4. Philly Fried Chicken (Halal)
Website: https://www.phillyfried.com/
Address: 1714 Cecil B. Moore Ave
Contact: (215) 315-8888
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Hungry crowds in North Philly head to Philly Fried Chicken for halal-certified fried chicken made with the neighborhood in mind.
The menu is a broad fast-casual lineup, with golden combos and rice-based meals to choose from. They also run a fusion-style halal selection that stretches into juicy burgers and classic cheesesteaks.
The real draw for local families is the value-focused pricing across all the major meal deals. A friend of mine who lives nearby grabs dinner here after hectic workdays because the takeout and delivery setup makes it so seamless.
The only real downside she has noticed is that freshness can dip a little during unexpected rush periods, so timing your order helps. Still, for an affordable, comforting meal in the area, it’s hard to beat.
Customer Reviews
The owner is very welcoming
This is a wonderful place for delicious take out food. The fried chicken and the cheese steak is tasty. The place is very clean and the owner is very welcoming. Would highly recommend! Great halal place
- Hussain Azizi | Google Review
Best fried chicken I’ve ever had
Up there with the best fried chicken I’ve ever had. It’s a new business and the owner is doing great so far. Good prices, quality food, and a guy that seems happy doing it. Couldn’t ask for more.
- Simon Katz | Google Review
5. Dave’s Hot Chicken
Website: https://restaurants.daveshotchicken.com/
Address: 1731 Chestnut Street 1
Contact: (267) 414-0400
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 AM; Friday-Saturday, 10:30 AM – 2:00 AM; Sunday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 AM
Anyone who loves intense heat will have a blast at Dave’s Hot Chicken, a brand with a legendary origin story rooted in a 900-dollar parking-lot startup.
The concept grew through massive organic social media buzz before expanding across the country. The promise is simple, which is juicy, smoky, hot chicken that hits hard with every bite.
The kitchen keeps the menu tight, centered on tenders and sliders across a range of heat levels. They round it out with fun extras like thick milkshakes and a handy rewards app.
It’s a fantastic spot for a spicy fix, though you should be ready for a heavy breading-to-chicken ratio on some of the larger pieces. Order a heat level you can actually handle, and you’ll leave happy.
Customer Reviews
Fresh and juicy
Never have I ever experienced spicy fried chicken that’s as fresh and juicy as Dave’s. This is my second visit, and it was even better than the first time. And what makes it unique is the great vibes and smiles from all the staff. They were considerate and kind. That always goes a long way. What Five Guys did for burgers, Dave’s did for chicken. Don’t sleep on this place.
- Paul Haynicz | Google Review
It’s a must visit
I am visiting and ate here 2 days in a row. If I was staying a 3rd day I would eat here again. Great food, clean restaurant, and friendly staff. I met with Wendell (manager) over the top friendly and answered many questions I had about their hot chicken. When you are here it’s a must visit!!!
- Jason and Candra Hutcheson | Google Review
