NYC fried chicken: The best and crispiest

Best for: Crunch lovers

Three thighs, hot sauce, mini-biscuits and honey butter come with the fried chicken plate at the Commodore, the dive bar cum fried chicken joint in Williamsburg. It’s cheap ($12) and it’s the best fried chicken in the city. The kitchen is helmed by Stephen Tanner, who co-founded Pies-N-Thighs, and churns out Southern food like fried oyster po-boy’s and adult cheese sandwiches and also plates of (delicious) nachos. But always get the chicken. It’s perfect: juicy and crispy with a texture not unlike butter. Trust us. 366 Metropolitan Ave., 718-218-7632.

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Photo Credit: Georgia Kral

Best for: Citrus fans

Generally the markers of good fried chicken are twofold: is the meat moist and is the exterior good and crispy? But those two markers aren’t enough to make your chicken the best, not these days. Chefs Jeff McInnis and Janine Booth of Root & Bone likely knew they had to do something bold and that’s why “lemon dusted” is now a thing in the culinary vocabulary of NYC. The chicken, brined in sweet tea, is then fried and “lemon dusted.” The bright taste of lemon makes the chicken feel lighter, transporting you from the dirty streets of Manhattan. Instead, you feel like you’re sitting on a southern screened-in porch, drinking bourbon and contemplating life’s simple pleasures. 200 E. 3rd St., 646-682-7080, rootnbone.com ” data-id=”110223966″ data-link=”https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/145_image.png” class=”wp-image-1.10223966″/>
Photo Credit: Georgia Kral

Best for: Conscientious-poultry eaters

Wilma Jean, the latest restaurant from Rob Newton and Kerry Diamond, draws on Newton’s southern roots as well as his desire to serve local and organic food. At Wilma Jean, you can get a collard greens salad with collards grown at the Youth Farm in Crown Heights topped with tender fried chicken. It’s practically healthy! And if you’re not interested in what’s good for you, just get the fried chicken straight-up with sides or on a potato roll. 345 Smith St., 718-422-0444, wilmajean345.com ” data-id=”110224044″ data-link=”https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/220_image.png” class=”wp-image-1.10224044″/>
Photo Credit: Georgia Kral

Best for: Chicken and waffle fans

Hipster chicken-dive Sweet Chick has a tea-brined fried chicken and waffles dish that is heaven on a plate. It’s common knowledge that chicken and waffles go together like, well, chicken and waffles, but at Sweet Chick the chicken is just a touch above commonplace, making this a guilty treat that doesn’t make you feel guilty. 164 Bedford Ave., Williamsburg, 347-725-4793 & 178 Ludlow St., 646-657-0233, sweetchicknyc.com

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Photo Credit: Georgia Kral

There’s just something about warm weather that makes us especially hungry for fried chicken.

Whether you like it hot and spicy, zippy with lemon or slathered in Asian-inspired sauces, there’s a version for you.

Here are our favorite fried chicken spots in NYC.