Guatemala’s Amazing Fried Chicken

Hidden Gems Beyond the Franchises

I live here in Guatemala, and let me tell you—fried chicken here is on another level. Sure, we have big-name fast-food chains, but I don’t waste my time with them. I’m all about the real deal, the hidden gems, the tiny, family-run spots where the chicken is fried to crispy perfection and every bite is pure magic.

One of my absolute favorite spots is El Favorito Fried Chicken and Papas in San Pedro La Laguna. It’s a true hole-in-the-wall, the kind of place you might walk past if you didn’t know better. But trust me, you don’t want to miss this.

For just $3.40, you get a breast and a thigh with a generous serving of fries. And that first bite? Pure heaven. The skin is perfectly crispy, the meat juicy and packed with flavor—it’s everything fried chicken should be.

I’ve learned to look for the good stuff. You can spot a high-quality chicken by its golden-yellow skin, a sign that it was fed marigold seeds. This not only makes the chicken tastier but also healthier. Plus, Guatemala has a strict ban on glyphosate, so you don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals in your food. Unlike factory-farmed U.S. chicken, Guatemalan chickens are raised naturally, and you can taste the difference.

So, if you’re planning a trip to Guatemala, take my advice—skip the big chains. Seek out the little local joints where the fryer is always sizzling, and the smell of fresh, crispy chicken fills the air. It’s an adventure in itself, and trust me, one bite of Guatemala’s fried chicken will change the way you think about fast food forever. Welcome to my world of incredible fried chicken.

When you have a craving, stop by a local chicken shop.

Guatemala’s Amazing Fried Chicken