Discover the Five Best Fried Chicken Spots in Louisville, KY

Fried chicken is a staple dish rooted in American cuisine. It has become a fast-food phenomenon and a top comfort food served in restaurants and fast-food chains.

In cities like Louisville, KY, there's no shortage of fried chicken to indulge in. From popular fried chicken chains like KFC, local soul food spots, to Nashville-style hot chicken restaurants, you're sure to find a mouth-watering, fried chicken spot in the heart of Louisville. Here at Preston Oaks, Louisville's favorite apartment community, we are big foodies! One of our favorite pastimes is helping residents discover new and exciting restaurants in town. That's why we've put together this list of our favorite fried chicken spots in Louisville. Let's dig in!

Criteria for the Best Fried Chicken

To be deemed the best fried chicken in Louisville, certain criteria must be met. This includes:

Tender meat that's fully cooked but not dry
Crispy, seasoned crust
Good portion size
Golden brown in color
Variety

Now that we've outlined the criteria for the best fried chicken, let's take a look at some of the best you can find in Louisville, KY.

5 Best Fried Chicken Spots in Louisville, KY

Here's our list of the 5 best fried chicken spots in the heart of Louisville:

Royals Hot Chicken

If you're interested in Nashville-inspired fried chicken, Royals Hot Chicken is your next stop. This restaurant has been serving its popular hot-dipped, fried chicken since 2015.

Royal's brings heat and flavor to their savory, golden-fried chicken, which makes them one of the best fried chicken spots in Louisville. Customers can choose from several heat levels, including some heat, hot, x-hot, and gonzo.

Not feeling the heat? Choose their classic fried chicken option. Once you've decided on your chicken, pair it with one of their scratch sides and dipping sauces.

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken is not afraid to ramp up the heat with their hand-battered, hot, and spicy fried chicken. They are committed to ensuring their chicken is fresh, never frozen, which adds to their enhanced taste and flavor.

Gus's doesn't claim to serve Nashville hot chicken; rather, Southern spicy fried chicken that they encourage you to pair with one of their southern sides prepared fresh daily. Customers will notice that their sides are on the sweeter side. This is meant to balance perfectly with their chicken.

The Eagle Louisville

You can't visit Louisville without pulling up a seat at The Eagle Louisville. The Eagle has truly mastered the art of fried chicken, which is one of the many reasons for its popularity. The Eagle is committed to serving all-natural, free-range chicken brined in-house. They offer several fried chicken options, including drumsticks, 1/2 chicken, 1/4 chicken white, 1/4 chicken dark, and whole chicken. All options are served with spicy hot honey. If you want something a little more than fried chicken, try one of their fried chicken sandwiches. The first is a fried chicken BLT with staple ingredients like bacon, mixed greens, and avocado relish. If you're feeling traditional, opt for their classic fried chicken sandwich with a fried chicken breast, coleslaw, spicy mayo, and pickles.

CM Chicken of Louisville

If you're ready for fried chicken that's crispy, addictively good, and comes with a twist, check out CM Chicken of Louisville - Frankfort Ave. This popular chicken spot serves the best Korean fried chicken you'll find in Louisville. CM Chicken of Louisville is known for its crispy, flavorful, and juicy chicken. They also offer a variety of sauces, such as garlic mild, lemon wasabi, curry, garlic spicy, and more, to elevate your meal. If you're truly ready to dive into authentic cuisine, complete your meal with one of their Asian-inspired side dishes, such as Kimchi fried rice, mashed potato balls, Korean potato salad, and Korean slaw.

Find Your Home at Preston Oaks

If you're looking for the best fried chicken in Louisville, KY, there's no need to search for long, as Louisville is a city that's home to some of the best. Each restaurant has its own flair, flavor, spice, and atmosphere that not only makes the experience memorable but also makes visitors come back again. If you’re looking for your next apartment in Louisville, visit us at Preston Oaks Apartments. We offer 1 and 2 bedroom floor plans that maximize comfort, style, and spaciousness. Each home is fitted with an open concept kitchen layout, energy efficient appliances, hardwood-style flooring, plush carpeting, and everything you need to live a cozy lifestyle. Schedule your tour today and discover your home among the oaks.