Fried chicken is one of the most beloved foods around the world. Its crispy exterior and juicy, tender interior make it an irresistible treat for people of all ages. But why exactly do we love fried chicken so much? Here are some of the main reasons behind fried chicken’s enduring popularity and appeal.
The Satisfying Crunch
One of the best parts of fried chicken is that first bite when your teeth break through the crispy, golden brown crust. The crunch of perfectly fried chicken is incredibly satisfying. The contrast between the crunchy exterior and the soft, juicy meat inside is what makes fried chicken so mouthwatering and addictive.
When chicken is fried correctly at the right temperature, the coating seals in the moisture and flavors of the chicken. This gives you a piece of chicken that is crispy and flaky on the outside, while remaining tender and juicy on the inside. The satisfying crunch when you bite into a piece of fried chicken is something that all fried chicken lovers crave.
Irresistible Flavors
In addition to its fantastic texture, fried chicken is also beloved for its signature flavors. The chicken absorbs the aromatic flavors of whatever coating or breading it is fried in. Traditional Southern-style fried chicken is coated in a seasoned flour mixture, often containing salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and other spices.
When the chicken fries, these seasoning blend beautifully into the crust, giving it incredible flavors. Other popular fried chicken recipes use batter coatings made from buttermilk, hot sauce, or local special seasoning blends. No matter what flavors you prefer, the coating seals them into the crispy fried exterior of the chicken.
Down Home Cooking
Fried chicken is also a staple of down home, comfort cooking in many cultures. In the American South, fried chicken has been a cherished part of Sunday dinners, picnics, and family gatherings for generations. The process of soaking chicken pieces in buttermilk, dredging them in flour, and frying them up has been passed down for ages as a special home cooking tradition.
In other countries like Korea, Japan, Malaysia, and the UK, Fried chicken holds a similar cultural significance. The nostalgia and connections to home cooking traditions make fried chicken a universal comfort food. It’s a dish that reminds us of big family meals, weekends spent with grandparents, or fun outdoor picnics.
Sheer Variety
Another wonderful thing about fried chicken is the variety of ways you can enjoy it. You can fry up different cuts of chicken – wings, breasts, thighs, drumsticks, tenders, etc. The possibilities are endless. Some people like white meat, while others prefer dark. Fried chicken allows you to mix up the cuts for a platter that suits every preference.
In addition to cut variety, there are so many styles and recipes to try. Korean-style fried chicken offers sticky, crispy flavor. Nashville hot chicken dials up the heat. Chicken katsu is the Japanese breaded cutlet version. The list goes on – from fried chicken sandwiches to chicken and waffles to good old chicken buckets.
Easy to Make and Serve
Fried chicken is also a crowd-pleaser because it is relatively easy to prepare. While frying chicken does take some practice to master, the ingredients are simple and the method is straightforward. With some basic frying oil and a dredging station, you can churn out tray after tray of fried chicken at home.
Fried chicken is also easy to serve to large groups. Buckets and boxes of mixed fried chicken pieces transport and hold well, making fried chicken an exceptional choice for potlucks, cookouts, and parties. You don’t have to worry about keeping anything warm – just provide crispy fried chicken, and your guests will be happy.
The History of Fried Chicken
To better understand why we love fried chicken so much, it helps to look back at the long and illustrious history of this delicious dish. Some form of fried chicken has existed for centuries across different cultures that raised chickens. Here are some key historical points about the origins and evolution of fried chicken:
Ancient Roots
The tradition of frying chicken in fat is centuries old. As early as the Scottish and English Middle Ages, cooks were frying chicken in fat and serving it as a special dish. In the American colonies and early United States, cooking enslaved African Americans developed fried chicken recipes that formed the basis of Southern-style fried chicken.
Early American Recipes
The first published fried chicken recipe came from Susannah Carter’s cookbook “The Frugal Housewife” in 1803. The basic technique involved floured chicken pieces fried in lard – very similar to today’s versions. Other 19th century American cookbooks featured similar fried chicken recipes that spread through the South.
Proliferation of the Dish
As chicken farming grew in the late 1800s, fried chicken became more widely available, especially to African Americans. Home cooking techniques were adapted by restaurants catering to black patrons who popularized fried chicken dishes. The dish was also a cheap, filling meal for families struggling through the Great Depression.
Fast Food Sensation
In the mid 1900s, fried chicken trailblazers like Harland Sanders turned fried chicken into a fast food phenomenon with Kentucky Fried Chicken. Church’s Chicken, Bojangles, and Popeyes carried on the trend. Fried chicken became an American sensation and a worldwide symbol of American cuisine.
| Decade | Fried Chicken Milestones |
|---|---|
| 1800s | Published recipes spread technique of pan frying chicken in fat or oil |
| Early 1900s | Fried chicken grows more popular through racially segregated “soul food” restaurants catering to black customers |
| 1930s | Fried chicken mealsfeed struggling Americans during Great Depression |
| 1952 | Harland Sanders begins selling “Kentucky Fried Chicken” and launches fast food fried chicken empire |
The Best Fried Chicken Recipes
Fried chicken connoisseurs are always seeking out the very best recipes and techniques. Here is a look at some of the most crave-worthy, famous fried chicken recipes from around the world:
Southern Fried Chicken
This American classic remains a fried chicken gold standard. Chicken pieces are soaked in buttermilk, then dredged in a seasoned flour mixture and pan fried until golden brown. The result is the crispy, juicy fried chicken of your dreams.
Korean Fried Chicken
KFC with a Korean twist features double frying, seasoned batter, and sticky, savory sauce coating the chicken. It comes in multiple flavor varieties like soy garlic and spicy. It is extremely crunchy, juicy, and loaded with umami flavor.
Nashville Hot Chicken
Born in Nashville, Tennessee, this spicy fried chicken is battered and fried, then tossed in a cayenne pepper hot oil sauce. It packs some serious heat and is served with pickles to offset the fiery flavor.
Chicken Katsu
This Japanese style fried chicken uses flaky panko breadcrumbs to create a perfectly crispy crust on boneless chicken breast cutlets. It’s often served with tangy tonkatsu sauce for dipping to balance the crispy richness.
Chicken and Waffles
This unexpected soul food pairing tops waffles with fried chicken served in maple syrup. The sweet and savory combination highlights the best qualities of crispy, juicy fried chicken.
| Recipe | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Southern Fried Chicken | Buttermilk soak, seasoned flour dredge, pan frying |
| Korean Fried Chicken | Double fry, sticky spicy sauce coating |
| Nashville Hot Chicken | Cayenne pepper sauce, spicy flavor |
| Chicken Katsu | Panko breadcrumb coating, tonkatsu dipping sauce |
| Chicken and Waffles | Fried chicken served over waffles with maple syrup |
Perfecting Your Fried Chicken
Now that your mouth is watering for fried chicken, let’s look at some tips and tricks for frying up the perfect batch at home:
Use Smaller Pieces
Opt for chicken pieces like wings, drumsticks, and boneless thighs, which fry up the crispiest. Larger breast pieces tend to get overcooked on the outside before the inside cooks through.
Season Under the Skin
For the juiciest flavor, loosen the skin on pieces and rub seasoning directly onto the meat before dredging in flour.
Soak in Buttermilk
Buttermilk adds tangy flavor and makes the crust extra crispy when fried. You can substitute milk mixed with lemon juice or hot sauce.
Use a Thermometer
Maintain oil temperature between 325-375°F for optimal crispness without burning the coating. Overheated oil will burn the crust before the chicken cooks through.
Don’t Overcrowd
Fry chicken in batches with space between pieces so that oil temperature doesn’t drop too much when adding pieces.
Rest on a Wire Rack
Draining fried chicken on a wire rack allows air circulation to keep the crust crispy as it cools slightly before eating.
| Tip | Reason |
|---|---|
| Use smaller pieces | Fry more evenly and get crisper than large pieces |
| Season under skin | Infuses seasoning flavor into meat |
| Soak in buttermilk | Makes crust extra crispy when fried |
| Use a thermometer | Maintains optimal frying temperature |
| Don’t overcrowd | Prevents oil temperature from dropping too much |
| Rest on wire rack | Allows air circulation to keep crust crispy |
The Best Side Dishes for Fried Chicken
To round out your fried chicken feast, you’ll need some classic Southern side dishes. Here are some delicious options:
Biscuits
Flaky, buttery biscuits are perfect for sopping up fried chicken pan drippings and sauces. Try them alongside Nashville hot chicken to temper the heat.
Cole Slaw
Cool, creamy cole slaw balances the crispy chicken flavors. The tang offsets the rich fried taste.
Mashed Potatoes
Smooth, creamy mashed potatoes complement the crunch of fried chicken. Laden them with butter, cream and garlic.
Mac and Cheese
Who can resist ooey-gooey mac and cheese with fried chicken? The cheesy carbs pair perfectly.
Collard Greens
Slow-cooked collard greens with ham round out the meal. Their bitter edge counters fried chicken’s richness.
| Side Dish | Pairing Notes |
|---|---|
| Biscuits | Catch chicken pan drippings and sauces |
| Cole Slaw | Cool, creamy tang offsets fried flavor |
| Mashed Potatoes | Creamy texture contrasts chicken crunch |
| Mac and Cheese | Gooey, cheesy complement to chicken |
| Collard Greens | Bitterness balances fried richness |
Conclusion
So there you have it – all the reasons why fried chicken holds such a special place in our hearts and on our dinner tables. With its crispy, juicy perfection, flavorful history, hearty goodness, and endless versatility, it’s no wonder fried chicken remains one of the world’s most beloved foods. From American Southern traditions to global culinary delight, fried chicken brings joy, comfort, and delicious flavors wherever it’s enjoyed.