Chicken in a basket refers to a dish consisting of fried chicken served in a basket with french fries. It was a popular menu item at American restaurants and drive-ins during the mid 20th century.
The origins of chicken in a basket can be traced back to the early 1900s when fried chicken was first being served in restaurants. By the 1930s-40s, drive-ins were gaining popularity and fried chicken served in a basket became a signature menu item. The dish likely got its name because it was often served in a wire or wicker basket.
Over the decades, chicken in a basket grew to become a nostalgic icon of classic Americana and a staple menu item at retro diners. Although less common today, it is still served at some restaurants aiming to recreate the classic drive-in experience.
The Early History of Fried Chicken in America
Fried chicken has its roots in Southern American cuisine during the 1800s. Enslaved African Americans are believed to have introduced West African cooking techniques like frying to America. Fried chicken emerged when chickens became more accessible to enslaved people and poor Southerners.
Scottish immigrants later popularized deep frying chicken by cooking chicken pieces in fat with batter or dredging in flour. This provided a crunchy coating and kept the meat moist and flavorful. Fried chicken became a staple at plantation picnics and church gatherings in the South.
By the late 1800s, fried chicken recipes were spreading throughout cookbooks and restaurants across America. The dish gained widespread appeal for its crispy skin, juicy meat, and fatty and salty flavors. The first fried chicken recipes specifically called for serving the chicken in a basket.
Early fried chicken recipes
Some of the earliest cookbooks featuring fried chicken recipes include:
- Mrs. Porter’s New Southern Cookery Book (1871) – suggests serving fried chicken in a napkin-lined basket.
- Kentucky Cook Book (1912) – calls for fried chicken to be served hot in a basket lined with a napkin.
- The Blue Grass Cook Book (1904) – directs to serve chicken fresh and hot in a small basket.
Serving fried chicken in a basket was a popular method to keep the chicken contained, hot and fresh while absorbing any excess grease.
The Rise of the Automobile and Drive-In Restaurants
The emergence of drive-in restaurants coincided with the rising popularity of the automobile in the 1920s and 30s. Drive-ins were a new dining concept that allowed people to order food from their cars. Fried chicken and other fried foods suited drive-in menus, as they held up well under heat lamps and for takeaway.
In the 1930s, Harland Sanders opened one of the first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants in North Corbin, Kentucky. His secret recipe and take-out model helped popularize fried chicken across America.
Meanwhile, the first Big Boy restaurant opened in Los Angeles in 1936, featuring the “Slim Jim basket” – a fried ground beef patty served in a paper basket with potato chips. This inspired the serving of fried foods in signature baskets.
The growth of drive-in restaurants in the 1930s-40s
| Year | Major Drive-In Openings |
|---|---|
| 1921 | Pig Stand opens in Dallas, TX – one of the first drive-in chains |
| 1934 | Claussen’s opens in Los Angeles, CA – known for fried chicken salads in baskets |
| 1937 | Bob’s Big Boy opens in Los Angeles, CA – known for burgers in baskets |
| 1940 | White Castle opens first drive-in unit in Wichita, KS |
The automobile boom and drive-in craze made serving fried chicken in baskets a popular combination.
The Era of Chicken in a Basket
By the 1950s, chicken in a basket had become a signature menu item at drive-ins and diners across America. Fried chicken was cheap and mass-produced using commercial fryers and pressure cookers. The dish was promoted as a hearty, all-American meal perfect for families and carhops.
Major chains like KFC, Bob’s Big Boy, Arthur Treacher’s and Kenny Rogers Roasters featured fried chicken baskets on their menus. Diners and drive-ins also often advertised daily “chicken basket specials” to attract customers.
Chicken in a basket meals were typically served with french fries or potato wedges and coleslaw on the side. The chicken and fries were nestled in a wire or wicker basket, lined with paper or cloth. These containers helped absorb grease and kept the hot food contained.
Typical chicken in a basket meals
| Restaurant | Chicken in a Basket Meal |
|---|---|
| Bob’s Big Boy | 3 pc fried chicken, fries, coleslaw, hot roll |
| KFC | 2 pc fried chicken, mashed potatoes & gravy, coleslaw, biscuit |
| Arthur Treacher’s | 3 pc fried fish, fries, coleslaw |
| A&W | 2 pc fried chicken, fries, chilled slaw |
Chicken in a basket became a quintessential blue-plate special for Americans on-the-go.
The Slow Decline of Chicken in a Basket
By the 1970s, chicken in a basket began declining along with drive-ins and diners. Rising health consciousness led to the growing popularity of grilled and oven-cooked chicken over fried. Fast food chains like McDonald’s took over, drawing customers away from drive-ins.
In the 1980s, food trends shifted toward lighter fare like salads, sandwiches and pasta. Deep-fried and fatty comfort foods like chicken baskets fell out of favor. As baby boomers aged, many drive-ins and retro diners closed or changed their menus.
Some brands associated with chicken in a basket also collapsed. Kenny Rogers Roasters declared bankruptcy in 1998 and closed most of its U.S. locations. Arthur Treacher’s shrank from over 800 stores in 1979 to less than 50 by 2015.
Decline of major chicken in a basket chains
| Chain | Peak # of Locations | Current # of Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Kenny Rogers Roasters | 425 (1996) | 25 (2021) |
| Arthur Treacher’s | 810 (1979) | 15 (2022) |
| Roy Rogers | 668 (1990) | 48 (2022) |
The core brands that popularized chicken in a basket saw a major decrease in locations over the decades.
Nostalgic Revival in Recent Years
Although chicken in a basket is no longer a mainstay of American dining, the dish has seen a bit of a resurgence in recent years driven by nostalgia. Some restaurant chains aiming for a vintage atmosphere have brought back the fried chicken basket, like Johnny Rockets and Sonic Drive-In.
Independent restaurants and diners trying to recreate retro charm have also added chicken baskets to their menus. Cooking shows and blogs have posted updated recipes for chicken in a basket meals.
In popular culture, chicken in a basket has been referenced as a symbol of kitschy Americana and baby boomer nostalgia. It represents a romanticized view of carhop service and fast-casual dining of the past.
Recent chicken in a basket sightings
- Diners Drive-Ins and Dives – Guy Fieri featured chicken in a basket meals at retro spots in 2012 and 2014 episodes.
- The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – An episode shows the lead characters eating chicken in a basket at a Catskills resort in 1960.
- Happy Days – Chicken in a basket was Fonzie’s signature dish at Arnold’s Drive-In.
Pop culture and media have sparked new interest in this fried classic.
Conclusion
Chicken in a basket has a long history intertwined with American automotive and dining culture. It originated from early fried chicken recipes in the late 1800s to become a drive-in staple by the 1950s-60s. Mass-produced fried chicken was served in trademark wire baskets alongside fries and slaw. Major chains like KFC and Arthur Treacher’s popularized the dish and made it a mainstream menu item.
By the 1980s, chicken in a basket fell out of favor as food trends and restaurants changed. But the dish still carries nostalgia for diners and drive-ins of the past. Fried chicken in a basket remains a retro treat that brands and eateries have brought back to appeal to baby boomer memories. The vintage meal represents a beloved piece of American food history.