History
Chef Viet Pham, an Iron Chef America veteran and multi-time James Beard Best Chef Southwest semifinalist for his earlier Forage SLC restaurant, opened Pretty Bird Hot Chicken on Regent Street in 2018, bringing chef-driven Nashville-style hot chicken to Salt Lake. The concept built on Pham's training at Forage. By 2025 Pretty Bird operated in Downtown, Sugar House, Park City and Midvale and won the Best Fried Chicken in Utah from Food and Wine Magazine.
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Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 500ml buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 200g all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Neutral oil for deep frying
- 60ml frying oil (reserved hot, for the hot oil dust)
- 3 tablespoons cayenne pepper (use less for milder)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 4 brioche buns
- Dill pickle chips
- 200g coleslaw
Method
- Marinate chicken thighs in buttermilk and hot sauce for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
- Mix flour, paprika, garlic powder and salt in a shallow dish.
- Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge in seasoned flour, pressing to coat.
- Heat oil to 175C (350F). Fry chicken 6 to 8 minutes until deeply golden and cooked through. Drain on a rack.
- While hot, reserve 60ml of the frying oil in a small bowl. Whisk in cayenne and brown sugar to form a paste, then a glaze.
- Brush or dip the fried chicken in the hot cayenne oil. Let drain briefly.
- Toast brioche buns. Layer pickle chips, hot chicken and coleslaw on the bun base. Crown with the top bun.
Tip from the editors. Cayenne quantity is the heat dial; Pretty Bird's hot level is around 2 tablespoons, very hot around 3. Don't skip the buttermilk marinade; it tenderizes and gives the coating texture.
Where to eat pretty bird hot chicken sandwich
Pretty Bird hot chicken sandwich in Salt Lake City
Pretty Bird Hot Chicken ★ 4.5
Pretty Bird on Regent Street, chef Viet Pham's Nashville-style fast-casual since 2018, runs a hot chicken sandwich combo for $9 to $14 at the order counter.
TryHot chicken sandwich combo
More places to eat in Salt Lake City
Not on this list, but among the highest we score in this city. Every one is in our guide with its address, hours and what to order.
- Red Iguana Mexican, our score 4.9
- HSL New American, our score 4.7
- Bar X Cocktail bar, our score 4.5
- Crown Burgers Burgers, our score 4.5
- Penny Ann's Cafe Brunch, our score 4.5
- Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana Pizzeria, our score 4.5
More cities are in research. Want pretty bird hot chicken sandwich covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.