I’m just gonna come right out and say it: I love chicken.

No matter my love for burgers, reuben sandwiches or tacos, if I go to a restaurant and they offer a chicken sandwich, I am highly likely to order it. Add on a few notes like “Nashville hot,” “honey,” “homemade spice rub,” and I’m sold. I have eaten chicken more times than I can count at locations in every region of the country. Naturally, I’ve had a lot of sub-par chicken experiences, but the good experiences leave me dreaming of the food for years to come.

I also know certain regions of the country pride themselves on having the best chicken (namely parts of the South) or have a style of chicken named after them (again, Nashville). But if you do not know where to look for the truly best chicken, I’m here to save the day.

Drumroll, Please

The best chicken sandwich in the entire country is in MOAB, UTAH. 

Wait, what? Sorry Tennessee. I do love a lot of your chicken, but the bar is set pretty high here just outside Arches National Park. 

I’d Rather be Called a Doughbird Than a Butterball

Whether you’re here for the National Parks and the great outdoors or just passing through, hop out of your Jeep and step up to the tile building as white and clean as my uncle’s Reeboks. Enter Doughbird, a purveyor of donuts, coffee and chicken in downtown Moab. Founded in 2019, Doughbird operates on a limited schedule (read: the early bird gets the donuts, and the midday bird gets the chicken). Closed winters, Doughbird just reopened for the season on March 9. 

Mmmm, Donuts *Insert Homer Simpson Image*

I’ll get back to the chicken in a moment, but I have to take a few lines to rave about the baked offerings as well. All the donuts are hand-made, with the overnight shift mixing and rolling the dough every night while the town sleeps. In the morning, locals and tourists alike are treated to an incredible array of delectable donuts. The daily selection changes regularly, and seasonal or themed treats make their own appearances from time to time. 

See if you can choose one from this partial list of options from last year: spiced apple cider crodough (croissant-style donut), salted caramel, maple pecan old-fashioned, vanilla sprinkle cake, chocolate Oreo crumble, chai latte cheesecake, Almond Joy, sugar bomb, blueberry pie fritter, toasted coconut, strawberry cheesecake, Key Lime pie crodough. Pro tip: just buy a half dozen, you’ll thank yourself later.

Oh, Oh, Oh, It’s Magic

Ok, back to why Doughbird infiltrates my dreams (both sleep and day)…

The chicken comes in just two category options: plates and sandwiches. Plates have a choice of light or dark meat and are accompanied by waffle fries or slaw. But the star of Moab is the chicken sandwich, piled high with slaw, pickles and sauce. The slab of chicken is thick and juicy, and extends far beyond the brioche donut bun (it’s okay if you already had a donut, this one counts as a bun instead). The hand breading is rich and flaky, with the perfect blend of spices and oils. It smells and tastes so good Foghorn Leghorn himself couldn’t resist walking through the front door (bonus points if you caught the TV reference). You can also choose the heat level: none, mild, medium, hot or melt your cluckin’ face off (*slowly tries to reassemble face*). The side of waffle fries rounds out the meal.

I am completely serious when I say that I cannot stop thinking about Doughbird or telling everyone about it. I’m not sure what kind of black magic hypnosis serum they put in the food, but I’m completely hooked. We made three stops at Doughbird while in Utah last year…never mind that the third time we had to go back through Moab to pick up a left behind purse at the Air B&B, I wasn’t even mad about having the make the extra 35-minute (each way) drive off the freeway thanks to the opportunity to stuff my face at Doughbird. I’m even considering making the long drive to Moab when we visit Zion and Capitol Reef National Parks next week just to get chicken.

Still not convinced? I even Bought. A. Hat. Yes, I have numerous ball caps, but I rarely buy a new one. Aside from the style or look of the hat (Doughbird nails it) my 1 and nearly-only requirement for buying a hat is the place has to be the BEST of the BEST. I’m not parading around the branding of some average or even pretty good place. This hat I wear proudly. As seen below, my niece was stoked about their shirts, too.

But I digress. 

If you are like me and treat your stomach like my cat treats me (read: ignores completely) good luck not wanting to go back for round 2 (or is it round 3 if you’ve already eaten a donut?). 

Doughbird is located at 125 N. Main St. in Moab. They are open 7 am – 2 pm Thursday through Monday, with chicken starting at 11 am.

I have no affiliation with Doughbird and was not compensated in any way for this article. Every word is my own honest and unapologetic opinion. 

All photos and content © Eric S. Allan 2023-2024

For media and publication inquiries: eric@corneroffirstandadventure.com