Updated on 16th December 2024

The Best Fried Chicken Restaurants in Leeds

The most finger-lickin' places to get your chicken fix!

Written on Eating Out Updated on 16th December 2024

Whether you’re after a succulent burger or crispy wings, here’s where to go to get the best fried chicken in Leeds.

Forget your average takeaway. These top Leeds spots let you worship at the shrine of fried chicken. You can devour anything from Korean fried chicken, smothered in all manner of sauces, to oh-so-crispy buttermilk fried chicken that’s been marinated for 24 hours. Whatever you’re craving, these restaurants pull out all the stops to give you an almighty finger-lickin’ feed.

Wingstop

A close up of marinated chicken wings from Wingstop

© Copyright Leeds-List 2024

Let Wingstop take you on a flight of flavour. Start your journey by choosing between wings, boneless wings or crispy tenders then kick things into high gear by picking your flavour. Spanning from buttery garlic parmesan to seriously hot Atomic sauce, they cater for all tastebuds. We’re big fans of the Louisiana Rub!

Of course, no chicken feast is complete without a dip. Wingstop give you a choice of ranch, honey mustard or blue cheese. And with a Big Flavour Burger, a selection of fries (included loaded) and churros to finish, there’s guaranteed to be sticky fingers and satisfied stomachs.

Where? Wingstop, 61 Boar Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6HW & Units 102-103, Upper Level, White Rose Shopping Centre, Dewsbury Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 8LU.
When? 11am to 10pm daily at White Rose. Boar Lane is open 11am to 11pm Monday to Thursday, 11am to midnight on Friday and Saturday, and 11am to 10:30pm Sunday.
Find out more: wingstop.co.uk

Slim Chickens

Slim Chickens

With locations all over the world, fried chicken fans rejoiced when Slim Chickens found a home at Trinity Leeds. They offer good old Southern hospitality, serving mouth-watering, cooked-to-order fried chicken with a side of blues music.

Keep it classic with their wings, available in batches of six, eight or 10 with your choice of sauces – will it be sriracha garlic or mango habanero? Elsewhere, their fresh chicken sandwich meals are a veritable delight, with a plant-based buffalo burger for veggies.

Where? Slim Chickens, Trinity, 413 Albion Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 5AY.
When? 10:30am to 10pm daily.
Find out more: slimchickens.co.uk

Ji the Chicken Shop

Ji Chicken

Ji the Chicken Shop doesn’t serve fried chicken as you know it. Oh no, this is next-level, extra crispy, Taiwanese fried chicken, right here in Leeds. A true street food icon, they take their fried goods seriously – so much so the menu is pretty much chicken and nothing but.

They’ve got all the usual cuts, from protein-packed chicken breast to boneless thigh and juicy leg. Then there’s popcorn, strips and nuggets too. Nothing gets wasted either – the fried chicken skin is a real treat while the garlic chicken gizzard is a delicacy everyone should try.

Where? Ji the Chicken Shop, 25-27 The Headrow, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6PU.
When? 12pm to 8:45pm daily.
Find out more: jileeds.co.uk

Meat:Stack

Chicken burger next to a Meat:Stack branded paper cup

Credit: Ellie Hodgson

Meat:Stack serve up some of the best burgers in Leeds – and their fried chicken is no slouch! They rotate special guest chicken burgers – including chicken parmigiana and their plant-based Slugger burger, which features fried ‘chick’n’ with Chipotle-lime sauce.

Their sizzling sweet-tea brined chicken tenders are always available as a side, accompanied by the perfect housemade dip. Not content with lunch and dinner, fried chicken also makes an appearance on the Meat:Stack breakfast menu. Tuck into a Nashville Chicken & Egg breakfast sandwich or top your fluffy American pancakes with two tenders. It’s an all-day affair!

Where? Meat:Stack, 3 Bishopgate Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 5DY.
When? 11am to 10pm Monday to Thursday, 9am to 10pm on Friday and Saturday, and 9am to 9pm on Sunday.
Find out more: meat-stack.com

OWT

A plate of crispy fried chicken on herby mash potato from OWT Leeds

The menu at Leeds French bistro-esque restaurant OWT is ever-changing, but one thing always sticks – their house fried chicken. It’s unbelievably crispy on the outside and deliciously juicy inside.

It comes freshly fried for that perfectly steamy bite. You can get it with a generous serving of mac’n’cheese but we also can’t resist their side of triple cooked chips, dipped in any of their tantalising house-made sauces. Wash it all down with their impressive drinks menu – complete with classic cocktails – or stay cosy at home and let OWT deliver your chicken feast right to your front door.

Where? OWT, 104 Burley Road, Woodhouse, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS3 1JP.
When? 6pm to 10pm Wednesday to Friday, 12pm to 10pm on Saturday, and 12pm to 5pm on Sunday. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Find out more: owtleeds.com

Farsley Fire and Smoke

Fire and Smoke Fried Chicken

Farsley Fire and Smoke is Leeds’ very own smokehouse, bringing a taste of Texas to Sunny Bank Mills. They get all their meat directly from local Yorkshire farms, and their fried chicken is a thing of beauty.

You can get whole thighs or tenders, brined in buttermilk and hand-breaded before being dipped in hot oil to get that satisfyingly crisp crust. Fancy a burger? They stuff thighs between a seeded bun and top it with gherkins and American cheese. The only thing left to decide is the sauce – sweet Texas, sweet chilli or Franks Hot? This is southern fried done right.

Where? Farsely Fire and Smoke, Sunnybank Mills, Unit 4 Red Lane Mill, Water Lane, Farsley, Pudsey, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS28 5SJ.
When? 5pm to 9pm Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, 5pm to 10pm on Friday and Saturday. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Find out more: farsleyfiresmoke.com

MEATliquor

Crispy chicken pieces and marinated chicken wings net to a bottle of Monkey Shoulder on a tray at MeatLiquor

MEATliqour are famous for their oh-so-juicy burgers, but did you know they also whip up some some of the crispiest fried chicken in town?

That’s right, whether it be buffalo wings with blue cheese sauce, monkey fingers drenched in buffalo or fried wings with a BBQ drizzle, there’s something for every fried chicken fan. If you fancy a burger, don’t fret. The Clustercluck never disappoints – think crispy chicken, green chilli butter, cheese sauce and more sandwiched between two buns.

Where? MEATliquor, 1 Bank street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6HX.
When? 12pm to 9:30pm Monday to Wednesday, 12pm to 10pm on Thursday, 12pm to 11pm on Friday and Saturday, 12pm to 9pm on Sunday.
Find out more: meatliquor.com

YUZU Street Food

Yuzu Street Food

YUZU Street Food have mastered the art of Korean fried chicken and brought it to Leeds. Oh yes, it’s serious business over in South Korea, where ‘chimaek’ – meaning chicken and beer – has become its own thing.

They take chicken (wings or strips), coat it in batter and deep fry it until crisp, before tossing it in a range of tasty, sticky sauces. The sweet chilli is a surefire hit, the Korean BBQ full of umami, while the teriyaki brings in a sweet, Japanese-inspired touch. Do it properly and pair yours with a pint of Northern Monk beer.

Where? YUZU Street Food – Northern Market, The Northern Market, 12 Great George Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3ED.
When? 4pm to 9pm Tuesday, 3pm to 9pm Wednesday to Friday, 12pm to 10pm Saturday, 12pm to 9pm on Sunday. Closed on Mondays.
Find out more: yuzustreetfood.com

Cover image © Copyright Leeds-List 2024
Imagine Selby Writer

Born and raised in Yorkshire, Imagine spent 6 months championing the city as a tourist destination at Visit Leeds before joining Leeds-List, where she set about uncovering all the city’s secrets. She has a lifetime of experience exploring Yorkshire and a love of travel that feeds her adventures.

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