Lake Macquarie’s home of the chilli chicken
Words by: Laura Nierengarten
If you’re a Swansea local, Chicken and Chilli Co is no secret. A fixture of the community for more than three years, this coastal chicken shop has earned its loyal following for good reason.
Owner and Lake Macquarie local Ben Ellevsen had long recognised a gap on the Swansea strip for a dedicated chicken shop and seized the opportunity to make it his own.
Backed by years of hospitality experience in local clubs and deep ties to the community, it’s little surprise Ben has turned the venue into a much-loved local hotspot.
L: Owner of Chicken and Chilli Co. - Ben Ellevsen and Store Manager - Caden Bales
This is no average chicken shop; it’s built on a true chicken and chilli romance. Ben is a self-confessed chilli connoisseur and admits he even has a fridge at home dedicated solely to chilli.
It’s this thoughtful integration of heat that has earned the shop its reputation for genuinely spicy food.
To bring bold flavours to the menu, Chicken and Chilli Co partners with premium Australian chilli brand Old Bones Chilli Co, as well as local chilli focused products such as Jai’s Drop 23 and Beach Jerky. Every sauce on the shelf has been carefully selected to complement the menu.
But beyond the chicken and chilli, Ben says it’s the locals who form the backbone of the business. Team members know returning customers’ orders by heart and place authentic, friendly service at the centre of everything they do.
The chicken and chilli may deliver the first hit of heat, but it’s the warm, customer-first experience that keeps people coming back for more.
What they’re DisHhing up
It’s no surprise that the star of Chicken and Chilli Co is their Portuguese-style roasted chilli chicken, and it truly is a showstopper.
Each bird is roasted to perfection in a special French gas rotisserie oven and served fresh, you won’t find dry meat here. But it’s not just the succulent chicken that shines; it’s the impressive lineup of sauces rubbed, marinated, and drizzled over every dish.
Chilli lovers rejoice, if you’re looking to seriously warm up your taste buds, you’ll find what you’re after in this kitchen.
Looking to add something extra to your chicken? There’s a wide range of customisable wraps, burgers and sides to satisfy every chicken shop craving. This menu is made for adventurous eaters, with all chickens, burgers, wraps, and wings served with your choice of specialty chilli sauce.
With a saucy lineup like this, you’ll keep coming back to test out the hundreds of possible combinations.
Our must-tries from the kitchen:
The Main Show
Chilli Chicken: Butterflied succulent roasted chicken and marinated to perfection with the house made chilli rub. You won’t want to miss out on this leg piece.
Hail Caesar Wrap (GF available): The fan favourite for a good reason. Chargrilled garlic and lemon marinated chicken breast, bacon, egg, parmesan, and lettuce tossed with creamy Caesar dressing, paired with your choice of chilli sauce. You’ll be licking the wrapper clean (we definitely did).
The Hoola Burger (GF available): Golden fried chicken schnitzel topped with pineapple, bacon, cheese, tomato, lettuce and OGM sauce, finished with your choice of chilli sauce. The perfect balance of sweet, salty and spicy.
Buffalo Wings: Marinated and twice cooked, these irresistibly moist chicken wings lathered in your choice of specialty wing sauce. We love a good chicken wing and these might just be our favourites in the area.
The Sides Show
Chips: Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and dusted with Swansea Salt - a chicken and smoked habanero salt blend. Extra salt, please!
Gourmet Salads: Don’t skip these salads. Choose from a range made with fresh, zingy ingredients bursting with flavour, the perfect contrast to the spicy mains.
The Saucy Lineup
OGM Sauce🌶️🌶️: A must-try house-made sauce, creamy garlic and chilli mayo with just the right kick
Smoked & Garlic Chilli🌶️🌶️🌶️: A crowd favourite, balancing habanero heat with citrus zest to suit every dish
Chipotle BBQ🌶️: For those who like it mild, smoky BBQ with a chipotle twist
Garlic Bhut Jolokia🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️: For the brave, a bold ghost chilli punch balanced with garlic and spices
Mango Reaper🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️: For serious chilli lovers only, Carolina Reaper heat with a hint of tropical mango sweetness. This one lingers!
And don’t forget to stock up on your favourite sauces, rubs, and chilli snacks from the Chicken and Chilli Co take-home range.
What’s next for Chicken and Chilli Co?
The team plans to expand in 2026, with another shop in the Hunter already in the works! Stay up to date by following them on Instagram and Facebook, and give them a buzz to order ahead.
The rundown
→ A spicy spin on the classic chicken shop
→ Hearty portion sizes
→ Your go-to takeaway lunch or dinner spot $
→ Vegetarian & gluten-free options
→ Succulent roasted chickens, saucy wraps, and chilli sauces for every spice level - we can’t get enough!
The DisHh features are booked anonymously and paid independently by HUNTERhunter. A restaurant cannot pay to be featured in The DisHh.
