10 Best Spots For Fried Chicken In Nashville, Tennessee

1. Prince's Hot Chicken Shack

Prince’s is where hot chicken originated, said to have been borne because of a woman’s desire to seek vengeance against her partner who stayed out late. According to the story, her plan backfired, because he ended up loving the dish so much that he made a business out of it, and Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack was borne. Because of its reputation for offering the original hot chicken, it sees a lot of customers on a daily basis, so make sure to go there off-peak hours to beat the crowds. Pro tip: if it’s your first time to visit Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack, make sure to try out the milder variants first. Your taste buds will thank you.

Prince's Hot Chicken Shack

Address: 123 Ewing Drive, Nashville, TN

Website: Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 11:30am - 10pm; Fri: 11:30am - 4am; Sat: 2pm - 4am (closed on Sun & Mon)

2. Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish

Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish might be a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, but what it lacks in terms of size it more than makes up for it in terms of flavor. In fact, those who have a high tolerance for spiciness can attest to the fact that it offers a bigger hotness kick compared to other restos. The fish is as good as chicken, so you have another option to choose from.

Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish

Address: 624 Main Street, Nashville, TN

Website: Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 12am; Sun: 11am - 7pm

3. Husk

Husk is one of the best options to go to if you wish to enjoy eating classic fried chicken - complete with the crunch from the crispy skin - but with that additional kick that you can expect from Nashville fried chicken. Husk is one of the most popular restaurants in town, so make sure to come early or make a reservation so you don’t have to wait for a long time before dining.

Husk

Address: 37 Rutledge Street, Nashville, TN

Website: Husk

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 2pm, 5pm - 10pm; Fri: 11am - 2pm, 5pm - 11pm;Sat: 10am - 2pm, 5pm - 11pm

4. Pepperfire

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There’s a reason why Pepperfire is one of the most popular restaurants in Nashville. Besides giving guests the option to choose the level of spiciness of their chicken, it also allows them to choose which sauce to match their meal. A must-try on their menu is the Tender Royale, hot chicken tenders served over a grilled cheese sandwich. A plus for this restaurant: the servings are big enough for sharing.

Pepperfire

Address: 1000 Gallatin Avenue, Nashville, TN

Website: Pepperfire

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11am - 9pm (closed on Sunday)

5. Sinema

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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Guests with big appetites should not miss out on visiting Sinema, which offers a buffet option (there’s an a la carte menu as well), which includes a variety of waffle and cocktail options (including bottomless mimosas and a Bloody Mary bar). It’s chicken offering is on the unique - and hefty side, served with two sunny-side eggs, bacon, tomatoes, and red onion.

Sinema

Address: 2600 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN

Website: Sinema

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 5pm - 10pm; Fri: 5pm to 11pm; Sat: 10am - 2pm, 5pm to 11pm; Sun: 10am - 2pm

6. Party Fowl

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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The vibe of Party Fowl is similar to that of a sports bar, making this a good option for those who simply want to kick back, relax, and enjoy a good meal. The chicken comes in different spice levels, so you can choose which option you are most comfortable with. Besides the standard hot chicken - with the meat served over a piece of bread - there are also chicken sandwiches on the menu if you want to try something different.

Party Fowl

Address: 719 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN

Website: Party Fowl

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri: 11am - 11pm; Sat: 10am - 11pm; Sun: 10am - 10pm

7. Pinewood Social

The Food Network Magazine recognized Pinewood Social as one of the top spots for fried chicken, so you can expect good food from here. While you’re waiting for your food, you can enjoy playing a few games, including some board games and even bowling, or belting out a few tunes on karaoke. Pro tip: you can order chicken with waffles, an off-menu item, for breakfast or brunch.

Pinewood Social

Address: 33 Peabody St, Nashville, TN

Website: Pinewood Social

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7am - 1am; Sat - Sun: 9am - 1am

8. Puckett's

In Puckett’s, you can enjoy some of the best things that Nashville is best known for: country music, fried chicken, and barbecue. The establishment has its own take of a chicken sandwich: a Nashville hot chicken served on top of buttery toast. If you’re a meat lover, make sure to order the meat sampler, which comes with fried chicken, brisket, pulled pork, and ribs.

Puckett's

Address: 500 Church St, Nashville, TN

Website: Puckett’s

Opening hours: 7am - 10pm (daily)

9. Arnold's Country Kitchen

Name a comfort food, and Arnold’s Country Kitchen probably offers it. In fact, you can expect food here that reminds you of home here, albeit at a tastier level. Their fried chicken is almost decadent, with its crunchy skin with tender and juicy meat. If you also prefer your dessert with a kick, be sure to order the chili-laced chocolate pie as well.

Arnold's Country Kitchen

Address: 605 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN

Website: Arnold’s Country Kitchen

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10:30am - 2pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

10. Hattie B's Hot Chicken

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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Hattie B’s Hot Chicken is another culinary institution in Nashville. Like Prince’s, it’s best to start with the milder options, even if you’re not used to spicy food, otherwise, you may just end up burning a hole through your tongue. Complementing the spiciness is perfectly crisp skin and tender meat. Make sure to go there early or during off-peak hours to beat the crowds.

Hattie B's Hot Chicken

Address: 5209 Charlotte Pk, Nashville, TN

Website: Hattie B’s Hot Chicken

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 12am; Sun: 11am - 4pm

Crispy goodness in Nashville

If there’s one type of food that is closely associated with Nashville, it’s fried chicken, specifically hot chicken. While other places have since developed their own version of this dish, the original remains in this music-filled city. There are even those who travel specifically to the city just to go restaurant hopping to taste the different versions offered by the different restos there. If, however, you have a limited time in Nashville and can’t afford to go on a food trip there, you can choose from this list to taste some of the best fried chicken in the city.