Lin NormanThere is something undeniably comforting about biting into a perfectly golden, audibly crunchy piece of fried chicken. The rich aroma of seasoned batter, the burst of savory juices, and that lingering kick come together to create pure culinary bliss.
Nashville’s fried chicken scene is packed with legendary recipes, bold spices, and long-standing family traditions that make choosing just one spot a challenge.
To help narrow it down, we’ve created a list of the best fried chickens in Nashville. Each destination was carefully selected based on flavor, crispiness, consistency, and local reputation!
How much does fried chicken cost in Nashville?
Fried chicken in Nashville can cost around $10 to $20 for a fulfilling plate, with fast-casual options leaning cheaper and specialized sit-down spots resting at the higher end.
| Dining Option | Average Price |
| Fast Food Combos | $5 – $13 |
| Specialty Hot Plates | $12 – $17 |
| Sit-Down Restaurant Meals | $15 – $20 |
1. Hattie B’s Hot Chicken – Nashville – Midtown
Website: https://www.hattieb.com/
Address: 112 19th Ave S
Contact: 615-802-5700 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Thursday and Sunday 10:45AM–10:00PM | Friday and Saturday 10:45AM–12:00AM
If you’re craving serious heat, Hattie B’s makes it easy to find your perfect level. They offer six spice options, so you can dial things up or keep it mild depending on your mood.
It’s also a good spot for groups, since you can reserve a private dining room ahead of time. Regular visitors will appreciate their mobile app, which lets them earn rewards with each visit.
When I tried their “Shut the Cluck Up” spice level, the heat hit fast. It was intense enough to bring tears to my eyes, but in a way that kept me reaching for another bite.
The crust was packed with flavor and had the right crunch, while the meat inside stayed juicy. Every bite felt bold and satisfying.
That said, the place stays busy, so getting quick answers by phone can be hard. Their patio dog policy can also be inconsistent, so it’s best to check ahead and get approval if you plan to bring a pet.
Customer Reviews
Amazing chicken tenders! Good seasoning and really tender soft moist fried chicken tenders. If I was to compare it to princes, I prefer princes seasoning a bit more, but hattie b’s chicken is more tender. Cant go wrong with either. The spicy level is a bit more forgiving than princes atleast on medium vs medium, hattie is less spicy than prince.
- Garljr | Google Reviews
Be prepared for lines and a long wait, but it’s worth it. Chicken is perfectly seasoned and so juicy. We had the large white which was a big portion for 2 people. We also had a fried chicken burger which was so good. We tried the mild and medium spice levels and both were manageable. For sides we ordered drinks fries- delicious, Mac and cheese which was also well flavoured, the grits I loved and some coleslaw which was good.
- Martyna Szyller | Google Reviews
2. Champy’s Nashville
Website: https://champyschicken.com/locations/nashville-tn
Address: 204 3rd Ave S
Contact: (629) 202-8728 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Thursday 10:30AM-11:00PM | Friday to Saturday 10:00AM-12:00AM | Sunday 10:00AM-11:00PM
Champy’s Nashville leans heavily into traditional Southern cooking, and you can taste the history in their recipes. Their chicken is based on a formula that’s been around for more than forty years, and it shows in the rich, familiar flavors.
I really love that every piece of chicken is fried to order. Nothing sits under a heat lamp, so your food arrives hot, crispy, and fresh
Digging into one of their meals feels a lot like being at a laid-back backyard cookout.
The menu goes beyond fried chicken too. They offer Mississippi Delta favorites like hand-rolled tamales, which add a nice twist if you want something different alongside your main plate.
It’s just a bummer that customizing your order can get pricey. For example, asking for all drumsticks comes with an extra charge.
The kids’ menu also has a strict age limit, with smaller portions reserved for children ten and under.
Customer Reviews
We went on a Thursday night before the Predators hockey game. The service was excellent. Whether it was the server, bartender or someone just running food out, every single person asked us if we needed anything before walking away and seemed to truly enjoy working there. The food was incredible. We got the fried pickle spears. So good and could have been a meal alone! We also got fried chicken and crawfish étouffée and it was so yummy! Portions are large so come hungry! I already want to go back and try their other items.
- Jordan Maddox | Google Reviews
This was a great place. Loved the atmosphere and our waitress was knowledgeable and also just fun to talk to. The food was inexpensive and done well. I enjoyed Champy’s much more than the Hattie B’s. Had a fried chicken and a gumbo.
- Amos Reinemer | Google Reviews
3. Red’s Hot Chicken
Website: https://redshotchicken.com/
Address: 115 27th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203
Contact: 615-400-1454
Hours: Wednesday to Thursday 11:00AM-3:00PM | Friday 11:00AM-4:00PM | Saturday 11:00AM-6:00PM | Sunday 11:00AM-4:00PM
Red’s Hot Chicken brings a high-end touch to casual dining, thanks to the vision of Chef Red, a Nashville native with more than fifteen years of classical training. His influence shows up in the creative twists on familiar comfort food.
One standout item is their signature Crunchwrap, which completely reimagines how hot chicken can be served. It’s packed with pimento mac and cheese, folded into a toasted tortilla, and finished with spicy comeback sauce.
The mix of creamy filling and crispy texture makes every bite bold and satisfying. It’s the kind of dish that keeps people coming back, especially those who enjoy customizing their spice level and pairing their meal with scratch-made sides.
Just keep in mind that they only serve boneless chicken here (tenders and thighs alike), so you won’t find any classic bone-in options.
Their limited weekly schedule is another thing to watch for, since it leaves little to no room for traditional dinner visits.
Customer Reviews
The seating area is a bit rough but this is hands down the best fried chicken I’ve had in recent memory. Mouth watering level of goodness. I also bought their season mix as a little souvenir for my trip back home MTL.
- Iyad Menla | Google Reviews
As a self-proclaimed chicken sandwich enthusiast, this blew my expectations out of the water. The mild fried chicken sandwich was either the best or tied for the best I have ever had. The chicken was juicy, crispy and packed with flavor. Also, they had elite French fries with delicious seasoning. 10/10
- C P | Google Reviews
4. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Website: https://www.gusfriedchicken.com/locations/nashville-tn
Address: 851 Dickerson Pike, Nashville, TN 37207
Contact: 615-621-2230
Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11:00AM-9:00PM | Friday to Saturday 11:00AM-10:00PM
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken sticks closely to tradition, and that dedication shows in every bite. Their recipe is a closely guarded secret that dates back more than sixty years to its creator, Napoleon Vanderbilt.
Instead of chasing modern trends, they focus on doing one thing well: classic Southern-style spicy fried chicken. They also use fresh, never-frozen chicken, which helps keep the texture tender and flavorful.
When I sat down in their full-service dining room, the quality was easy to notice. The batter came out perfectly crisp and locked in the juices, so every bite stayed moist and satisfying.
It’s a great pick if you’re exploring downtown restaurants and want a no-frills Southern meal, especially with their hand-cut sides rounding out the plate.
Just note that the spice level isn’t customizable, so what you get is their single signature heat profile.
There isn’t much ingredient transparency too, which can make it tricky for guests with serious food allergies.
Customer Reviews
This was our first time at Gus’s. Great fried chicken. A little bit of spice but not the burn your tonsils Nashville hot chicken. Juicy and tender, made to order, not picked out of a tray of previously cooked chicken. The sides were tasty (beans and slaw). Easy uncomplicated menu. Just good food at great prices. Our server, Anuyeuanna, was courteous, informative, and oh so friendly. The restaurant manager came by to check on the food and the service. Overall a great dinner, with great food and service.
- Tom Sonneveld | Google Reviews
I NEVER like fried chicken, but you know the saying “Slap ya mama good”? Well this is SELL ya mama good! I got the 2 piece white plate, 3 wing plate, fried tomatoes, and chocolate chess pie. It was AMAZING!!! The chicken was dripping juicy and the skin crispy and well seasoned, the greens were seasoned and made right so no bitterness, and the okra was one I haven’t had since I was little! 100/10! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Cora | Google Reviews
5. Prince’s Hot Chicken
Website: https://www.princeshotchicken.com/
Address: 5814 Nolensville Pike
Contact: (615) 810-9388
Hours: Monday to Saturday 11:00AM–10:00PM
Prince’s Hot Chicken feels like stepping into a piece of culinary history. Over the years, this spot has built a reputation that still draws crowds today.
The restaurant remains family-owned and is currently led by Ms. Andre Prince Jeffries, the great-niece of the founder. She continues the tradition of offering six different heat levels, giving diners plenty of room to find their comfort zone (or push past it).
Every plate is made to order, and you can smell the peppery heat the moment it hits the table. The aroma alone makes it hard to wait before digging in.
They’re also well set up for large groups. They even offer catering options that can scale up to one hundred whole wings at a time.
The catering with delivery comes with a fairly steep fee, though. Even standard dipping sauces like ranch or honey mustard aren’t included, so you’ll need to pay extra if you want them on the side.
Customer Reviews
I was extremely pleased with my experience trying authentic Nashville hot fried chicken at Prince’s. I wasn’t even super hungry, so I just got a kid’s meal which came with 2 pretty big chicken fingers. I got the mild spice level which was perfect for me. The fries could have been a little crispier, but that’s my only critique!
- Alex Issokson (Boston Foodie) | Google Reviews
Went to Hattie’s, Bolton’s and this place blew them outta the water. The spice compound is perfect , mild is not that spicy. They have fans to cool you down if you sweat alot. Had the fried chicken sandwich, tasted my buddies quarter piece and X-hot tenders. Glad we can benefit from Mrs Prince deceptive plan, our tongues get all the tasty pleasure
- Naason Toledo | Google Reviews
