By Denise Ortuno
Dedication to serving free range chicken and simple fresh locally sourced ingredients, makes the Chicken Ranch in Palm Springs the go to place for chicken done right.
It just feels like you’re doing something fresh and healthy for yourself when entering the Chicken Ranch on Palm Canyon in Palm Springs. The hip restaurant neighbors other cool spots in the quaint Corridor shopping area such as Koffi and Mid Mod Café. Although it might be the casual, almost beachy style of the Chicken Ranch that may lure you in, it will be their delicious chicken that will have you coming back.
Opened in 2016, the restaurant has established itself as one of Palm Canyon’s favorite eateries for awesomely prepared chicken. What makes their food so good is actually its simplicity that you can clearly taste, with a focus on serving free-range poultry and fresh produce, all sourced from local farms. Clean ingredients bounce off taste buds like a garden themed pinball machine, with a chicken pulling the knobs.
On my afternoon visit to the ranch, I stepped up to their counter service bar and went simple, ordering a single rotisserie Chicken Breast, which came with tangy tomatillo salsa and lavish (unleavened flatbread). Other rotisserie options include a whole chicken, half, or leg & thigh duo. I was given a number on a cute little stand for delivery purposes and then chose a seat inside, although the outdoor patio right on Palm Canyon which is perfect for people watching, did seem inviting.
My order came out swiftly served by friendly hands, and looked oh so good with the crisp deep golden brown chicken skin staring up at me. It was not a super oversized chicken breast, which is a good thing. As bigger chickens should be taken as a red flag that the poultry has been doctored with hormones that increase their size and can take away from their flavor. It is something that you won’t find at the ranch.
The chicken breast was moist, meaty and full of flavor. The tomatillo salsa worked well with the orange, thyme and rosemary flavored rotisserie chicken, with the ample providing of a tortilla type vessel for eating. Delicious! After my meal, I felt light yet sated, a result of eating clean, simple, fresh food.
Other menu items include a variety of salads such as, a Cobb Salad with Chicken ( organic romaine, red and yellow tomatoes, bleu cheese crumbles, boiled egg, avocado, bacon, fried shallots, ranch or bleu cheese dressing), Gluten Free Beet & Goat Cheese Salad ( organic butter lettuce, red and yellow beets, matchstick radish, oranges, goat cheese, champagne vinaigrette) and a BBQ Chopped with Chicken ( organic romaine, black beans, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, fried shallots, ranch and BBQ) plus many more. For the salads that don’t include chicken, guests can add it for an additional charge.
Sandwich’s such as the Fried Chicken Sandwich (fried chicken, pickles, slaw, sriracha aioli), Chicken Salad Sandwich (chopped white and dark meat, with tomato and lettuce, toasted banquette or a wrap) and the Ranch Sandwich (rotisserie chicken beast, butter lettuce, tomatoes, ranch, banquette or wrap) are also on the menu and come with fries or salad.
The Chicken Ranch provides a full bar, with lively concoctions like “Hit Me” (adult Arnold Palmer), Texas Ranger ( bourbon, grapefruit, basil) and Carlito’s Way (tequila, fresh lime, simple syrup) for instance, plus a selection of beers. Happy Hour is served daily from 3-6pm with $5 well drinks/wine/$3 beers and bar menu items priced kindly at $8 (Fire Cracker Orange Chicken, Chicken Tinga Tacos, Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders and more).
Come by on the weekends and enjoy their brunch with bottomless champagne or mimosa’s for only $12.
The Chicken Ranch is a hip, fun, fresh Palm Springs eatery providing diners with tasty chicken inspired menu items done right, one that I look forward to in visiting again!
The Chicken Ranch is located at 515 North Palm Canyon, Palm Springs
760-832-6682
For more information and online orders visit www.eatchickenranch.com
