Sticky Fingers Chicken – The Cambodian Chick-fil-A?

Is there anything better than a crispy, juicy, fried chicken breast? Yes, definitely, but not by much. Fried chicken is one of the most beloved fried foods available and over in the old US of A, Chik-fil-A is thought to be one of the best to do it. If you want to try Chik-fil-A without visiting North America or the UK, you will surely find that this is impossible, but thanks to the fandom of a certain business owner in Cambodia you can now try a fried chicken sandwich that is about as close as you can get to the real thing.

At Sticky Fingers Chicken, located on Bassac Lane, the influence of Chik-fil-A is easy to see. From the style and look of their sandwich to the preparation and taste, even the logo brings to mind this American superstar of fried chicken. Big shoes to fill perhaps, but after trying the chicken sandwich and some delicious panko breaded chicken tenders I was absolutely sold. The sandwich here at Sticky Fingers Chicken absolutely holds its own when compared to any of the big name fried chicken companies and I would even venture to say that it is bigger, better, and fresher than anything you can find currently in Phnom Penh.

To read my thoughts on Al’s Tacos click here

Under the Influence of Chicken

It doesn’t take a brain scientist to see the influence that the aforementioned US fast food chain has on Sticky FIngers Chicken, but when speaking with the owner, he was not making any attempt to hide that. When I asked about it, the answer was essentially, yes this is influenced by my love of Chik-fil-A. It is different from what can be found at other restaurants here in Cambodia and he just didn’t want to deprive people of the fried chicken goodness that he loved so much. Just like that, Sticky Fingers Chicken was born.

While the menu is currently small, consisting of 5 main items, this can ensure that those 5 items are being made perfectly every time. Often we see restaurants with a hundred items on the menu, there is great variety but none of them are done specifically well. At Sticky Fingers, concentrating on fewer items means a more consistent and reliable dish every time you dine.

Focusing on these select dishes also helps to keep the focus on creating the most flavor possible, like a menu full of exclamation marks instead of ellipses.

Fresh and Saucy

The taste and quality of the food at Sticky Fingers Chicken is evident from the first bite. The food is good, no doubt about it, but why? Well, this comes down to work ethic and the mindset of the restaurant. Everything, and I mean everything is made fresh, in house, daily. Sauces are made fresh daily. If you’re anything like me, ranch dressing AKA America Sauce, AKA the sauce of the Gods is a necessary condiment that is exceedingly hard to find. A good, house made ranch is a thing of beauty and that was on full display with the chicken fingers. There is also a beautiful pepper sauce that may suit the local palate a bit better. Finally, a spicy and tart buffalo sauce is available as well and oh my goodness is it good.

This dedication to fresh and clean food comes through in the flavor of each dish and each sauce. The panko breaded chicken fingers are a delight and each bite is just as juicy and succulent as the last, but the addition of these hand made sauces are what really pushes this all over the edge. There is such a variety to the flavors that anyone can enjoy their preferred tasting experience depending on what they like. The addition of these sauces to the chicken wings adds a whole different level of flavor and really creates a flavor profile that stands on its own in Phnom Penh.

You Got Buns Hun

One of the final pieces to the delicious chicken sandwich is a truly remarkable Japanese Milk Bread bun. When making a good burger, you need to start with a good foundation, the bun is much more than just a vessel for meat. It blends textures, absorbs flavors, and also keeps your hands from getting too messy. The bun at Sticky Fingers Chicken keeps your fingers from becoming overly sticky if that’s what you’re going for.

A wonderfully light, airy, and fluffy bun, this matches perfectly with the crispy and well seasoned crunch from the fried chicken breast. It balances savory with a little sweet in the bun, an absolutely amazing zest from the pickle slices; in one bite you can experience so many flavors that all meld together to create an experience true to its roots. This is not just a bite of a nice chicken sandwich, this is a bite into a culture of fried foods. A bite into Americana itself. This is a sandwich that will allow you to experience the best of America because truly, the chicken sandwich may be one of the best things to ever come out of America. That’s just my opinion, not a fact, but please tell me what is better? Crisp, crunch, spice, tang, light airy buns, and ooey gooey cheese. If heaven doesn’t serve a proper chicken sandwich then I am staying at Sticky Fingers Chicken because I want this in my life and my afterlife. Simple. Classic. Sticky Fingers Chicken is a winner.

	Cambodia
	https://www.cambodialifestyle.com
	+855 9 678 01791

Recent Posts

• 
  Why Are Expats and Tourists Falling in Love with Cambodia?
• 
  Explore Culinary Diversity at the Mekong Food Festival in Phnom Penh
• 
  Koh Rong Street Food Guide: What to Eat on Cambodia’s Paradise Island
• 
  Memoire Palace Resort & Spa: A Blend of Khmer Culture, Luxury, and Sustainability in Siem Reap