Ep 1. Finger Lickin' Chicken

In season 37 of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, host Guy Fieri begins the season with an episode that will make your mouth water. The episode is called Finger Lickin' Chicken, and it's all about showcasing some of the best chicken dishes in America.

The show kicks off in Charlotte, North Carolina, at a restaurant called Midwood Smokehouse. Here, Guy meets pitmaster Matt Berry, who shows him how to make some of the best smoked and grilled chicken in the South. Berry takes a whole chicken and seasons it with a dry rub before slow smoking it over hickory wood. Guy is blown away by the resulting smoky flavor and juicy meat.

Next, Guy heads to Austin, Texas, to visit Chi'Lantro, a Korean-Mexican fusion restaurant known for its mouth-watering kimchi-topped chicken and waffles. Here, Guy meets owner Jae Kim, who shows him how to make the perfect crispy-fried chicken that's coated in a sweet and spicy Korean-style glaze. Guy can't get enough of the tender chicken and savory waffles.

From there, Guy travels to Portland, Maine, to check out the amazing fried chicken at Figgy's Takeout & Catering. The husband-and-wife team of Mike and Sara began serving up their signature fried chicken out of a food truck, but now they have a brick-and-mortar restaurant where they make everything from scratch, including their famous fried chicken. Mike and Sara show Guy how they brine their chicken before coating it in a seasoned flour mixture and deep-frying it to crispy perfection. It's no wonder Figgy's has a cult following in Portland.

The last stop on Guy's chicken tour takes him to Las Vegas, Nevada, to visit a restaurant called SkinnyFATS. Here, Guy meets a chef named Reed who creates a dish called Pick a Peck of Pickled Peppers Chicken Sandwich. The sandwich features a crispy-fried chicken breast that's topped with pickled jalapeños and banana peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, and a spicy aioli. Guy can't resist taking a bite of this perfectly balanced sandwich that's full of flavor and texture.

Overall, the Finger Lickin' Chicken episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives is a testament to the versatility and deliciousness of chicken. From slow-smoked to crispy-fried and everything in between, these four restaurants prove that chicken is a staple of American cuisine that can be taken to new heights by creative chefs who are passionate about their craft.