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The 5 Best Fried Chicken Spots in Indianapolis

best-fried-chicken-indianapolis
We extensively test and research all services we review. Here's why you can trust us.
  • Flavor Profile: We prioritized locations that deliver mouth-watering seasoning and perfect crunch in every single bite. A truly great crust needs to hold its own without overpowering the tender meat inside.
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  • Menu Variety: A satisfying menu should offer different cuts and complementary sides to suit various cravings. We looked for spots offering excellent classic recipes alongside unique culinary twists.
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  • Dining Atmosphere: The physical environment plays a huge role in how much you enjoy your comfort food. We assessed whether each location provides a welcoming space for families and solo diners.
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  • Value for Money: Great food should feel rewarding rather than financially draining. We weighed the portion sizes against the price tags to ensure you get a fulfilling meal.
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  • Service Quality: Friendly and efficient service makes a messy meal significantly more enjoyable. We checked that staff members maintain a helpful attitude even during busy lunch rushes.

Craving that perfect, golden crunch? Finding the spots serving the best fried chicken in Indianapolis is a delicious journey through savory spices and juicy bites. 

There are just so many spots that offer an incredible array of crispy chicken perfection. To help you find your next stop, we did all the munching and found the best of the best.

While you might need to handle your own bookkeeping after a weekend of heavy dining out, indulging on a perfectly crunchy and tasty chicken in one of Indianapolis’s top restaurants makes every penny worth it!

How much does fried chicken cost in Indianapolis?

Fried chicken prices in Indianapolis range from around $1.00 for single pieces at quick deli stands to $54.99 for large family bundles at sit-down eateries.

CategoryPrice Range
Individual Pieces & Small Snacks$1.75 – $2.99
Individual Meals (2-4 Pieces)$5.59 – $13.99
Specialty & Upscale Dining$14.00 – $21.00
Family Meals (8-12 Pieces)$18.99 – $54.99

1. The Eagle Mass Ave

the-eagle-mass-ave

Website: https://www.eaglerestaurant.com/

Address: 310 Massachusetts Ave

Contact: (317) 929-1799

Hours: 

  • Monday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Friday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
  • Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Biting into a perfectly crispy crust drizzled with spicy honey is a sensory revelation. We actually visited this lively spot last week, and their free-range, all-natural chicken prepared with a secret brine truly lives up to the hype. 

The Eagle Mass Ave elevates Southern comfort food by pairing their signature poultry with scratch-made sides prepared fresh daily. 

Elevating the vibe is the heavy blues soundtrack vibrating through the dining room, which creates an upbeat, relaxed environment for sharing a meal.

However, the extreme noise levels during peak hours can make quiet conversation quite difficult. The menu lacks robust vegetarian options, so note that this isn’t a place for your vegetarian and vegan friends.

Pros

  • Free-range natural chicken
  • Secret brine preparation
  • Unique spicy honey drizzle
  • Fresh scratch-made sides

Cons

  • High noise levels
  • Few vegetarian menu options
  • Communal seating arrangements
  • Potential for long waits

Customer Reviews:

This is definitely one you should try

Southern food in Indianapolis?  Shrimp & Grits, Fried Chicken, Hush Puppies, Spoonbread. They have it all and they do it right.  Or you can have a cheeseburger with Pimento Cheese.  If you have never tried it, you are missing something great.  They also have burnt ends.

Great cocktails, or mocktailes  if liquor isn’t your think, no sense in missing out on the flavor!  Service is excellent and reasonable prices given the homestyle comfort food you are getting.

While there are a lot of great restaurants in Indianapolis this is definitely one you should try

Everything was delicious

Had dinner with a group of friends tonight. Everything was delicious, especially the fried chicken BLT and the mac and cheese (some of the best I’ve ever had!) the biscuits were also really good with house made blackberry jam

2. CM Korean Fried Chicken

cm-korean-fried-chicken

Website: https://cmkoreanchicken2indianapolis.com/

Address: 2236 E 62nd St

Contact: (317) 390-4659

Hours: 

  • Monday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Friday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM
  • Sunday: 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM

Craving an ultra-crispy texture that holds up under rich sauces requires stepping outside the traditional Southern box. 

CM Korean Fried Chicken shines by serving up authentic Korean-style dishes, offering distinctive flavor profiles like garlic soy and snow onion. 

Exploring their expansive menu is also fun; you’ll discover charcoal-grilled combinations and satisfying street-food sides, which is perfect for adventurous tastebuds.

They even use a closely guarded recipe to deliver an unbelievable crunch alongside tender, juicy meat. The trade-off for this specialty preparation is the steep price point, as à la carte items can make a simple dinner quite expensive. 

On top of that, the limited seating makes this location much better suited for grabbing takeout rather than settling in for a relaxed dine-in experience.

Pros

  • Authentic Korean preparation
  • Exceptional crispy texture
  • Unique snow onion flavor
  • Freshly prepared hot orders

Cons

  • Expensive à la carte pricing
  • Very limited seating available
  • No customer restroom facility
  • Geared primarily for takeout

Customer Reviews:

Hot,fresh and sauced to perfection.

Alrighty….I saw a video about the place and decided to try it. I’m glad I did. The customer service was really good being it was our first time. He explained everything on the menu and to me that was huge!!!👍 Now on to the food….we tried the honey garlic, soy garlic and sweet chili wings. We also tried some dumplings and corn fries. We took our order home and it was fantastic. Hot,fresh and sauced to perfection. If you’re in the mood for chicken with a spin give this place a try.

That chicken was so crispy.

The Korean Fried Chicken name peaked my curiosity and I wasn’t disappointed.  I purchased the Honey Garlic boneless wings  w/sweet potatoes fries 🔥. That chicken was so crispy. The customer service was great. I’ll definitely be back with friends

3. Dave’s Hot Chicken

dave-s-hot-chicken

Website: https://daveshotchicken.com/

Address: 530 Massachusetts Ave

Contact: (317) 285-0200

Hours: 

  • Monday – Thursday: 10:30 AM – 12:00 AM
  • Friday – Saturday: 10:30 AM – 2:00 AM
  • Sunday: 10:30 AM – 12:00 AM

Finding a meal that perfectly matches your personal spice tolerance is a rare treat; that’s why we keep coming back to Dave’s Hot Chicken.

When we grabbed lunch here recently, we loved how their customizable heat levels allowed us to choose everything from a mild bite to a fiery Reaper finish. 

They also keep things delightfully simple with a highly focused menu of hand-breaded tenders and sliders. With their streamlined approach, they ensure fast service and consistently crispy, juicy results. 

However, you should be aware that the aggressive seasoning can sometimes overpower the actual chicken flavor if you order the higher heat tiers. 

Plus, some guests find the milder options a bit bland, meaning you might have to experiment a bit to find your ideal sweet spot.

Pros

  • Customizable heat levels
  • Hand-breaded fresh tenders
  • Streamlined fast service
  • Consistent crispy texture

Cons

  • Spice can overpower flavor
  • Mild options lack seasoning
  • Chemical taste on Reaper level
  • Highly restricted menu variety

Customer Reviews:

Will always come back

As a Canadian, this chain restaurant blew my mind. I’m glad I went to this location because it was able to represent the goodness of their chicken, simply amazing. I had to go here three times within my 5 nights stay so I don’t forget the flavour. Generosity of the portions, sauce, and HONEY makes the place even better…

Will always come back when hungry

The service was extremely quick

We ended up here on complete accident to be honest but I’m very glad I did. Honestly the logo caught my attention so I decided to give it a try. The restaurant was very clean. The staff was very friendly and happy to help. The service was extremely quick. The only thing I wasn’t a fan of was the small drink and the large was almost the same size. I wish the cups were bigger. The food was amazing. They had several slushy flavors too. I would highly recommend Dave’s hot chicken and I honestly look forward to going back!

4. His Place Eatery

his-place-eatery

Website: https://hisplaceeatery.com/

Address: 6916 E 30th St 

Contact: (317) 545-4890

Hours: 

  • Monday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Friday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Saturday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM 
  • Sunday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Hearty homestyle cooking has a magical way of turning a simple dinner into a comforting retreat. Focusing heavily on authentic soul food, His Place Eatery serves up massive portions of deeply satisfying, golden-fried poultry. 

This family-owned gem stands out by pairing its savory meats with creative dessert-style waffles, including a decadent red velvet option. 

The genuine hospitality from the husband-and-wife team (James and Shawn Jones) also gives the dining room a warm, welcoming neighborhood vibe. 

Because they operate on a strict walk-in system, you’ll likely encounter noticeable wait times and crowded seating during peak lunch hours. Despite the potential delay, the generous sides of macaroni and collard greens make the patience worthwhile.

Pros

  • Authentic soul food recipes
  • Creative dessert waffle options
  • Generous serving sizes
  • Genuine warm hospitality

Cons

  • Noticeable peak-hour waits
  • No reservations
  • Dining area can get crowded

Customer Reviews:

The fried chicken was amazing.

First time we have tried His Place. The service was really great. Everyone was very friendly to each person that walked in the door. Even know they were packed they still all seemed to be having a great time and did a excellent job. The food was very good. The fish was crispy and well seasoned and cooked perfectly. The fried chicken was amazing. The collard greens…. All I can say is you have to try them. They were incredible. This is definitely a must try.

The fried chicken was perfect; juicy and flavorful

First time trying His Place Eatery. We ordered several options to try. The fried chicken was perfect; juicy and flavorful. The rib tips tasted great. The grilled Cajun Catfish was seasoned well and had a little kick. Portion sizes were good for the price. All the sides we tried were good and very flavorful (mac & cheese, green beans, dressing & gravy, bourbon creamed corn, corn muffin, and white toast with strawberry butter). Our favorite side was the Mac & Cheese. The sweet tea was lemony and delicious. All the staff were welcoming and our waitress was attentive. Great experience overall. We will be back.

5. HollyHock Hill

hollyhock-hill

Website: https://www.hollyhockhill.com/

Address: 8110 N College Ave

Contact: (317) 251-2294

Hours: 

  • Wednesday – Saturday: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Sunday: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Stepping back in time for a meal offers a delightful break from modern fast-casual dining. Serving the community since 1928, HollyHock Hill delivers traditional Indiana-style chicken, lightly floured and shallow-fried to lock in the juices. 

They bring people together through a classic family-style dining experience filled with shared plates. Plus, the nostalgic atmosphere pairs beautifully with bottomless bowls of mashed potatoes and warm biscuits served alongside apple butter. 

However, the seasoning profile leans heavily toward the traditional side, which some modern palates might find a bit plain. 

It’s also worth mentioning that the mandatory multi-course, family-style format makes the final bill pricier than grabbing a standard combo meal elsewhere.

Pros

  • Historic 1928 establishment
  • Traditional family-style dining
  • Authentic Indiana shallow-fry
  • Abundant classic side dishes

Cons

  • Seasoning can taste plain
  • Pricier than standard spots
  • Outdated interior decor
  • Mandatory multi-course format

Customer Reviews:

Fried chicken is excellent

Oh my goodness the food here is amazing!  Fried chicken is excellent and all the sides were absolutely delicious!  If you love chicken livers, this place has the best I have EVER had!!!  Their salmon was exquisite!  Will definitely be eating here again and again!

Exudes a delightful old-world charm

This charming establishment offers delicious fried chicken, flaky biscuits, and delectable apple butter. Each entree comes with generous family-sized sides. As one of the oldest family-owned restaurants in the area, it exudes a delightful old-world charm, complemented by excellent customer service.” 🍗🥐🍎