Fried chicken and chicken fried chicken sound very similar, but they are actually two different dishes. While both involve chicken and frying, the preparation methods result in quite different end products.
What is Fried Chicken?
Fried chicken refers to chicken pieces that are dipped in batter or dredged in flour and then fried in oil. The batter or flour coating helps seal in juices and provides a crispy exterior. Fried chicken is believed to have originated in the southern United States before gaining widespread popularity across the country and internationally.
Some key attributes of fried chicken include:
- Chicken pieces – This usually includes parts like wings, drums, thighs, and breasts.
- Batter or flour coating – The chicken is coated before frying to add a crispy layer.
- Deep frying – The coated chicken is fully submerged and cooked in hot oil.
- Crispy exterior – The batter or flour browns and becomes crispy in the oil.
- Juicy interior – The inside of the chicken stays tender and moist.
Fried chicken can be seasoned in many ways. Common seasonings include salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and more. The chicken may be brined or soaked in buttermilk before cooking to further flavor and tenderize it. Fried chicken is often served as an entree with sides like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, biscuits, or mac and cheese.
What is Chicken Fried Chicken?
Chicken fried chicken is chicken that is cooked very similarly to how steak is prepared for the classic southern dish chicken fried steak. A thin cutlet of chicken is pounded until tenderized and then dredged in a flour mixture before frying.
Key attributes of chicken fried chicken include:
- Chicken cutlets – Thin, tenderized cuts or slices of chicken breast are used.
- Flour dredging – The chicken is dredged in a seasoned flour mixture.
- Pan frying – The floured chicken is fried in a pan with a small amount of oil.
- Crispy coating – The flour browns and becomes a thin, crispy crust.
- Tender interior – The chicken cutlet remains tender and juicy inside.
As with fried chicken, seasoning can vary. Common seasonings in the flour include salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and thyme. The chicken is often served topped with cream gravy. Chicken fried chicken is considered a main course and usually paired with American sides like mashed potatoes, green beans, and biscuits.
Key Differences
While both dishes involve fried chicken, the preparation results in a very different end product:
| Fried Chicken | Chicken Fried Chicken |
|---|---|
| Uses chicken pieces | Uses chicken cutlets |
| Battered or floured | Floured |
| Deep fried | Pan fried |
| Very crispy exterior | Thinner, crisp coating |
| Served on its own | Typically served with cream gravy |
While fried chicken aims for a very crispy and crunchy coating, chicken fried chicken has a thinner, delicate crust. The pieces of chicken also differ, with fried chicken using a variety of parts while chicken fried chicken uses breast cutlets.
Preparation Methods
The preparation process also differs significantly between fried chicken and chicken fried chicken:
Fried Chicken
- Cut chicken into pieces – usually wings, drums, thighs, breasts cut in half or quarters.
- Soak in buttermilk or brine to season and tenderize (optional).
- Dredge pieces in flour, cornstarch, or batter to coat.
- Fry chicken pieces in 2-3 inches of hot oil in a deep cast iron skillet until golden brown and cooked through, flipping once.
- Let drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
- Season again lightly with salt and pepper if desired.
- Serve hot.
Chicken Fried Chicken
- Pound chicken breasts thin into cutlets, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Season cutlets with salt and pepper.
- Dredge cutlets in a flour mixture seasoned with salt, pepper, spices, and herbs.
- Add a thin layer of oil to a large cast iron skillet and pan fry cutlets over medium-high heat until golden brown and cooked through, flipping once.
- Make pan gravy once chicken is done by adding more oil to the pan, cooking flour briefly, then whisking in milk and simmering until thickened.
- Serve chicken cutlets topped with creamy pan gravy.
As you can see, the cooking methods differ significantly, with fried chicken using deep frying and chicken fried chicken relying on pan frying. The other major difference is the use of gravy in chicken fried chicken.
Flavor Profiles
In addition to the different textures, fried chicken and chicken fried chicken also differ in terms of flavor:
- Fried chicken – Crispy, crunchy exterior gives way to juicy, savory chicken. Well-seasoned and flavorful on its own.
- Chicken fried chicken – Delicate crispy crust with tender, mildly seasoned chicken. Flavor comes from peppery pan gravy.
Fried chicken packs much more flavor in the actual chicken itself. Chicken fried chicken has a more subtle chicken flavor complemented by the rich, savory gravy on top. The gravy is a key part of the dish.
Regional Origins
Fried chicken and chicken fried chicken also differ in their regional origins within American cuisine:
- Fried chicken – Strongly associated with Southern cuisine, especially in states like Kentucky and Tennessee.
- Chicken fried chicken – Considered a specialty of Texas cuisine and the state’s official “comfort food.”
Both dishes are considered Southern cuisine. But fried chicken has a wider popularity across the South while chicken fried chicken is more distinctly Texan.
Serving Suggestions
Fried chicken and chicken fried chicken are served differently as main courses:
Fried Chicken
Fried chicken is most often served as:
- A main protein along with Southern side dishes like mashed potatoes, biscuits, coleslaw, greens, mac and cheese.
- On its own as a fast food meal or snack.
- In fried chicken buckets or family meals with various sides.
Chicken Fried Chicken
Chicken fried chicken is usually served:
- As a main dish plated with mashed potatoes, vegetables, bread, and topped with pan gravy.
- On top of waffles or biscuits covered in gravy as chicken fried steak is often served.
- In chicken fried steak family style meals with sides like green beans, rolls, and slaw.
The key difference is that chicken fried chicken is almost always served with gravy atop the chicken or on the side for dipping. Fried chicken is not traditionally served with gravy.
Popularity and Usage
In terms of current popularity and usage:
- Fried chicken – One of the most popular chicken dishes across the globe. Widely served in restaurants, fast food chains, and homes around the world.
- Chicken fried chicken – Much more tied to its regional roots in Texas and the South. Not as ubiquitous as fried chicken but still beloved in its home region.
While chicken fried chicken is well known in the South, fried chicken has become an iconic global dish served everywhere from Seoul to Paris to Rio de Janeiro. Both dishes remain staples of American comfort food cuisine however.
Nutrition
In terms of nutrition profile:
| Fried chicken | Chicken fried chicken |
|---|---|
| Higher calorie depending on coating | Slightly lower calorie |
| More fat from deep frying | Less fat from pan frying |
| Moderate carbs from coating | Higher carbs from flour coating and gravy |
| No protein from gravy | Additional protein from gravy |
Fried chicken tends to be higher in fat and calories because it is deep fried. Chicken fried chicken uses less oil for pan frying but the flour coating and rich gravy increase the carbs. The gravy also adds some protein.
Cost
In terms of cost and budget:
- Fried chicken – Budget friendly, especially buying store-bought chicken parts in bulk. A cheap and accessible staple food.
- Chicken fried chicken – Slightly more expensive to make given the chicken breasts and gravy. More commonly ordered at restaurants than homemade.
The parts used for fried chicken are very inexpensive. Prepping chicken fried chicken requires more expensive breast meat. The gravy also adds to the cost. So chicken fried chicken is slightly pricier as a home cooked meal.
Ease of Preparation
For someone cooking at home:
- Fried chicken – Fairly simple to make at home in a cast iron skillet. Easy access to ingredients.
- Chicken fried chicken – More time consuming with pounding chicken, making gravy. Requires more skill and effort.
Fried chicken has a reputation as an easy, accessible home cooked meal. Chicken fried chicken involves more steps like properly dredging, pan frying, and making smooth gravy from pan drippings.
Taste
In terms of pure taste preference:
- Fried chicken – Provides salty, crispy, greasy, chicken flavor that is universally loved.
- Chicken fried chicken – Delivers a crisp crust and tender chicken complemented by rich, savory gravy.
This comes down to personal taste – fried chicken offers indulgent crispiness and chicken flavor, while chicken fried chicken pairs a delicate crust with unctuous gravy.
Conclusion
While both dishes involve frying chicken, everything from the ingredients to the cooking method to the final presentation results in two very distinct dishes. Here is a quick summary:
- Fried chicken uses chicken pieces, batter/flour, and deep frying to create a crunchy exterior and retain juicy meat.
- Chicken fried chicken pounds chicken breasts, breads in seasoned flour, pan fries, and tops with creamy gravy.
- Fried chicken features crispy, well-seasoned chicken as the star. Chicken fried chicken pairs mildly seasoned chicken with peppery gravy.
- Fried chicken is strongly associated with Southern cuisine while chicken fried chicken is classically Texan.
- Fried chicken is widely enjoyed globally as fast food or a staple meal. Chicken fried chicken has more regional popularity.
Both dishes are delicious in their own right and staples of American comfort food!
So in summary, while the names are similar, fried chicken and chicken fried chicken are prepared differently to create two distinct dishes and eating experiences. With its universal popularity, it’s hard to beat traditional fried chicken. But for those in Texas and the South, chicken fried chicken holds a special place in their culinary heritage. Whichever you prefer, both make for a flavorful and satisfying meal!