Over ten years ago, a close friend of mine always talked about this restaurant he loved to have lunch at in Kendall called Chicken Kitchen. At the time, I lived a couple of blocks from there. He was very detailed in his description of their menu. It didn’t sound particularly interesting to me until I ate there.
It was as simple as grilled chicken breast chopped up, topping yellow rice with a couple of sauces available for drizzling. I instantly became obsessed with Chicken Kitchen, but I ended up moving out of the area a few months later.
Better than the Original?
Suddenly, it seemed like everyone was doing their version of the Chicken Kitchen Original Chop. Even Pollo Tropical (South Florida’s local chicken chain) jumped on board, as did clones like Chicken N’ Grill and Natural Chicken Grill, one of who I believe was an original Chicken Kitchen owner and investor.
3 Chefs and a Chicken restaurant is another in that long line of copycats. Heck, even the founders are former Chicken Kitchen employees.
The Same yet Different
The one difference I did find with 3 Chefs is that it’s an improvement over the original. Quality and portions across the board on everything I’ve eaten are better.
The original restaurant is located near Tropical Park in Westchester, and parking there can be difficult. There is a drive-thru, and the line can also get long because of its popularity; luckily, it moves fast.
My Usual Order at 3 Chefs and A Chicken
I usually order the Signature Chefén, which features fresh, never-frozen chopped boneless breast on a bed of your choice of rice with pita. I like to do a double portion of the chicken.
Recently, I’ve asked for them to chop some of the crispy chicken skin and then top my platter like a cherry on a sundae. You have the option of adding curry mustard, BBQ, sweet and sour, salsa fresca sauces, or fire hot mustard as condiments.
There are a few other Cheféns that include anything from black beans, shredded cheese, or even guacamole. Marcela‘s favorite is the Top Chefén with grilled chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, guacamole and sour cream.
Doesn’t it sound useful to you? Whole or quarter grilled chicken and sides to choose from, like corn on the cob, baked potato, red-skinned mashed potatoes, or baked plantains.
You wouldn’t think grilled chicken on yellow rice with some sauce on top would be so good, but it is. I usually eat my pita gradually throughout my meal.
Curry Mustard is Addictive
I am warning you before you try it (if you haven’t already), the curry mustard sauce is highly addictive.
That liquid gold is made up of just a few ingredients; check out my copycat recipe. The simplicity of it might be why it’s so good, or maybe it’s the mayo, lol.
The best part of eating this is it is filling. I don’t ever walk away from 3 Chefs and a Chicken feeling sluggish or horrible. I feel content and satisfied—what a nice change of pace.
3 Chefs and a Chicken – Westchester
8195 SW 40th Street
Miami, FL
(305) 267-3011
Monday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Tuesday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Thursday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Saturday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday CLOSED
3 Chefs & A Chicken in Coral Gables
It was only a matter of time before 3 Chefs and a Chicken expanded beyond its massive fanbase of Westchester. Their second location is on US1 in the old Wendy’s spot across from Sunset Place.
It’s a much larger spot with way more parking but with the same great food as their original location.
The parking at this location is plentiful, so I find myself eating at the Coral Gables more often than the takeout situation at the other spot.
I had not mentioned the soups. I’m a giant fan of their tomato basil soup, but that spicy chicken tortilla soup might be just a notch above—if that’s even possible.
3 Chefs and a Chicken – Coral Gables
6601 SW 57th Avenue
Coral Gables, FL
(786) 953-4811
Monday 11:00 am – 9:30 pm
Tuesday 11:00 am – 9:30 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am – 9:30 pm
Thursday 11:00 am – 9:30 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 9:30 pm
Saturday 11:00 am – 9:30 pm
Sunday CLOSED