Top 8 Fried Chicken Dishes in NYC for November 2025

Craving fried chicken in New York City? With endless options and mixed reviews, finding the best can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve curated the top 8 fried chicken dishes worth trying, using insights from 8it. This app connects you with recommendations from food critics and industry experts, helping you skip the guesswork and enjoy standout meals.

Fried chicken at its best combines a crispy, golden exterior with juicy, well-seasoned meat. The NYC dishes listed below excel in every aspect, blending traditional methods with creative twists that reflect the city’s diverse food culture.

Want to dive into these must-try fried chicken picks? Download 8it for free and explore expertly chosen dishes to enhance your dining experience.

8 Must-Try Fried Chicken Dishes in NYC

NYC’s fried chicken scene offers a mix of global flavors and unique techniques. Below are the 8 dishes that critics can’t stop raving about.

1. Crispy Fried Chicken Combo at Kam Rai Thai – Time Out Market Union Square

At Time Out Market Union Square, Kam Rai Thai delivers a standout Asian comfort food experience. Their plate, featuring crispy fried chicken with pork jowl buns and crab rice, blends textures and flavors beautifully. The chicken stands out as a carefully prepared highlight among other impressive items.

8it Review: “Pork Jowl buns, fried chicken, crab rice +more”

2. Unique Schnitzel Innovation at Malka

Malka redefines schnitzel with a creative twist. Their version stuffs crispy chicken with creamy mashed potatoes, combining a satisfying crunch with comforting warmth. This dish has gained a strong following among NYC food lovers for its inventive approach.

8it Review: “A crispy chicken filled with golden mashed potatoes.”

3. Lemongrass-Infused Chicken Fingers at Mommy Pai’s

Mommy Pai’s, from the team behind Thai Diner, elevates chicken fingers with lemongrass and Thai spices. These tenders bring Southeast Asian flair to a classic American dish, offering a refined take on casual comfort food. Discover more hidden gems with 8it.

8it Review: “Thai chicken tendies by Thai Diner? SAY LESS.”

4. Bold Hot Honey Buffalo Wings at Lacey Burger

In Bushwick, Lacey Burger crafts hot honey buffalo wings that balance spicy heat with sweet glaze. The sticky coating enhances each crispy wing, delivering complex flavors while maintaining a perfect crunch.

8it Review: “No way I’m in Bushwick not getting these”

5. Peruvian Aji de Gallina Empanada at Claudy’s Kitchen

Claudy’s Kitchen introduces Peruvian flavors with aji de gallina empanadas. These crispy pastries hold creamy, spiced chicken in a yellow pepper sauce, offering a portable version of a traditional dish without losing its rich taste.

8it Review: “Golden empanadas filled with creamy, spiced chicken delight”

6. Spiced Chicken Rolls at Nepali Bhanchha Ghar

Nepali Bhanchha Ghar offers chicken rolls that pack bold Nepali flavors. Tender, spiced chicken wrapped in house-made bread creates a satisfying handheld meal, highlighting the depth of Nepali cuisine in NYC.

8it Review: “Flavor-packed rolls, choose beef or chicken delightfully wrapped”

7. Hearty Half Chicken Meal at Caravan Chicken

Caravan Chicken serves a fulfilling plate with a juicy half chicken, crackling skin, pork fried rice, and a fresh salad. Each element complements the others, creating a balanced, comforting meal.

8it Review: “Juicy half chicken paired with pork fried rice delight”

8. Spicy Diablada Broster at Bolivian Llama Party

Bolivian Llama Party’s diablada broster brings a fiery twist to Bolivian-style broasted chicken. Seasoned with a complex blend of spices, this dish offers heat with depth, reflecting a playful take on traditional South American cooking. Map your next food adventure with 8it.

8it Review: “Spicy fried chicken with a Bolivian twist and flair”

Exact Critic Recommendations on 8it

Below are the verbatim reviews from 8it critics, drawn from a network of food experts and professionals.

1. Pork Jowl Buns, Fried Chicken, Crab Rice + More at Kam Rai Thai (Time Out Market Union Square): Pork Jowl buns, fried chicken, crab rice +more
2. Add it to your list on 8it
3. Malka Schnitzel at Malka: A crispy chicken filled with golden mashed potatoes.
4. Add it to your list on 8it
5. Lemongrass Chicken Fingers at Mommy Pai’s: Thai chicken tendies by Thai Diner? SAY LESS.
6. Add it to your list on 8it
7. Hot Honey Buffalo Wings at Lacey Burger: No way I’m in Bushwick not getting these
8. Add it to your list on 8it
9. Aji de Gallina Empanada at Claudy’s Kitchen: Golden empanadas filled with creamy, spiced chicken delight
10. Add it to your list on 8it
11. Two Rolls (Beef or Chicken) at Nepali Bhanchha Ghar: Flavor-packed rolls, choose beef or chicken delightfully wrapped
12. Add it to your list on 8it
13. Half Chicken with Pork Fried Rice & Salad at Caravan Chicken: Juicy half chicken paired with pork fried rice delight
14. Add it to your list on 8it
15. Diablada Broster at Bolivian Llama Party: Spicy fried chicken with a Bolivian twist and flair
16. Add it to your list on 8it

How 8it Simplifies Food Discovery

Finding trustworthy food recommendations can be exhausting with scattered reviews, social media noise, and mixed-quality content online. 8it changes that by focusing on curated insights from trusted critics.

8it prioritizes quality by showcasing only dishes endorsed by culinary experts. This ensures reliable picks for fried chicken in NYC. Plus, its focus on specific dishes means you know exactly what to order at each spot, removing uncertainty.

Key Insights on NYC Fried Chicken

Where to Find Unique Fried Chicken Styles in NYC

NYC’s food scene offers fried chicken inspired by cuisines worldwide. Options range from lemongrass-infused tenders at Mommy Pai’s to spicy Bolivian broster at Bolivian Llama Party. You’ll also find Korean fried chicken in Koreatown, Japanese karaage in East Village, and Caribbean jerk chicken in Brooklyn. 8it helps critics locate these diverse offerings with ease through expert recommendations.

How 8it Selects Fried Chicken Recommendations

8it gathers input from established food media, professional chefs, and industry insiders. Every listed dish has been positively reviewed by these credible sources, ensuring high-quality dining options. This focused approach saves time for critics and delivers consistently great meals.

What Sets NYC’s Fried Chicken Scene Apart

NYC stands out for its variety and innovation in fried chicken. Unlike cities tied to specific styles, New York offers global influences within a short distance. Its competitive dining landscape drives chefs to create unique dishes, from stuffed schnitzel at Malka to classic recipes done with precision.

Finding Limited-Time Fried Chicken Offerings with 8it

8it highlights temporary food experiences like pop-ups and special collaborations in its “Pop-Ups and Drops” section. Critics can explore unique fried chicken preparations available for a limited time and add events to their calendars directly through the app to avoid missing out.

Organizing Your Fried Chicken Must-Try List on 8it

8it simplifies saving and organizing dining plans with bookmarking and custom lists. Critics can save dishes to tailored lists for specific purposes, like weekend outings, and share them with others. The map-based view also helps locate saved spots by area for convenient planning.

Explore NYC Fried Chicken with 8it

NYC’s fried chicken reflects the city’s cultural richness and culinary creativity. The eight dishes highlighted, from Thai-inspired tenders to Bolivian-spiced broster, are just a glimpse of what’s available. Each offers a unique taste shaped by local communities and dedicated chefs.

With 8it, discovering these dishes becomes straightforward. Recommendations come from trusted culinary voices, so critics can feel confident in their choices. Ready to taste the best fried chicken in NYC? Download 8it for free and let expert picks lead you to your next great meal.