Like most regional culinary dishes, the exact origin of Chicken Fried Steak is hard to pin down. Several places would love to take credit for being its birthplace — a community in Texas even hosts an annual celebration in honor of the dish, and similar recipes have been found in archives dating back to the early part of the 19th century. Usually attributed as having gotten its start in the American South, Chicken Fried Steak also bears an uncanny resemblance to a staple of German cuisine known as schnitzel.
No one can be blamed for wanting to claim ownership of such a delicious dish. One thing everyone can agree on, however, is that no matter what the origins of Chicken Fried Steak, few things beat it when it comes to traditional down-home cooking.
What Does Chicken Fried Chicken Mean?
Chicken fried chicken is a popular Southern comfort food that has a name that can be hard to understand. If you’ve never had this golden, crispy dish, the name “chicken fried chicken” might seem silly or pointless. What exactly does “chicken fried” mean when it comes to chicken? Why isn’t this fried chicken just called “fried chicken”?
This article will explain what chicken fried chicken means, how it’s different from regular fried chicken, and where the name comes from that seems to be repeated. We’ll also talk about some important tips for making the best chicken fried chicken at home. Check out this helpful guide to understanding chicken fried chicken, whether you grew up eating it or have always been curious about what makes it “chicken fried.”
Chicken Fried Chicken vs. Fried Chicken
To understand the meaning of “chicken fried”, it helps to first distinguish chicken fried chicken from regular fried chicken. While both dishes involve fried chicken, they diverge in a few key ways:
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Boneless vs. Bone-In: Chicken fried chicken uses chicken breasts or cutlets that are boneless and skinless. Traditional fried chicken is made with bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces.
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To bread chicken, use a simple seasoned flour dredge to cover it before frying. Fried chicken usually has a wet batter made with buttermilk.
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Frying Method Chicken fried chicken is pan-fried in a skillet with a thin layer of oil Fried chicken is deep-fried, completely submerged in oil.
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Serving Style: Chicken fried chicken is usually served topped with creamy gravy. Fried chicken is typically served on its own.
So while both dishes contain fried chicken, the preparation method differs significantly. But why not just call chicken fried chicken “fried chicken” given that chicken is indeed being fried? This is where the meaning of the term “chicken fried” comes into play.
The Meaning of “Chicken Fried”
The term “chicken fried” refers to the method of dredging and pan-frying the chicken in the same manner as chicken fried steak. It’s essentially a shorthand way of saying the chicken is fried in the style of chicken fried steak.
Chicken fried steak emerged in the Southern United States as German and Austrian immigrants brought over the method of preparing Wiener schnitzel – a thin, tenderized cutlet of veal coated in flour and pan-fried. As cheaper cuts of beef became widely available, this veal preparation technique was adapted to steer steaks, resulting in the distinctly American dish known as chicken fried steak.
Later on, cooks began applying the chicken fried method to chicken as a more affordable and readily available protein option. Hence, chicken fried chicken was born – chicken prepared using the pan-fried, crispy flour dredging technique originally used for chicken fried steak. The name distinguishes it from other fried chicken recipes and conveys that it’s fried with the thin, crispy coating characteristic of chicken fried steak.
While some claim that “chicken fried” refers to using chicken fat or grease in the cooking process, it more reliably traces back to the method and concept of chicken fried steak. The bottom line is that “chicken fried” means the chicken is breaded and pan-fried just like a chicken fried steak.
Tips for Making Chicken Fried Chicken
Now that you understand the meaning behind it, here are some tips for making perfect chicken fried chicken at home:
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Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness so they cook evenly.
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Season the flour dredge well with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and oregano.
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Use a three-step dredging process: flour, egg wash, flour. This extra step helps the coating stick.
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Pan fry the chicken in a cast iron skillet with 1/4 inch of vegetable or canola oil on medium high heat.
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Fry chicken in batches to maintain oil temperature. Don’t overcrowd the pan.
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Fry chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and 165°F internal temperature.
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Drain fried chicken on a paper towel lined plate. Season again with salt and pepper.
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To keep chicken crispy, place in a 200°F oven on a wire rack over a baking sheet after frying.
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Make an easy cream gravy by whisking milk into the skillet drippings and flour.
Now that you know exactly what chicken fried chicken really means and how to fry it up perfectly, you can enjoy this crispy, comforting Southern specialty. While the seemingly redundant name may have caused confusion in the past, you’re now armed with the knowledge to confidently order, make, and appreciate this fried chicken favorite.
The History of Chicken Fried Steak
As mentioned previously, the origins of Chicken Fried Steak are highly debatable. It’s likely that the kitchens of Germany and Austria are the ancestral homes of Chicken Fried Steak and that the dish migrated to North America during the Great Migration from Northern Europe to the New World. Once arrived on fresh shores, the dish continued to evolve, taking regional twists and turns along the way. Significant differences exist even in Texas, with those on the western side of the state preferring a dry rub coating, while East Texas residents swear by double dipping the steak in a rich egg batter before dredging it through the mixture of flour and seasonings.
It’s also possible that, like many good things to eat, the dish originated in several different parts of the world without any cultural influence from elsewhere.
What Is Chicken Fried Steak?
The name “Chicken Fried Steak” comes from the breading that is put on the outside of the steak before it is fried in the same way that chicken is fried, but with beef steak instead of chicken. The breading is made of flour that has been seasoned with salt, pepper, and different other spices, depending on the cook’s personal taste and the traditions of the area. Many cooks have their own secret breading combination that they guard heavily. Before being dredged in the seasoning mix, the steak is put into an egg batter that may or may not have buttermilk in it. Some people like to use regular milk instead. The steak is then fried in a skillet with lard, shortening, or vegetable oil.
Chicken Fried Steak is typically served with a blanket of peppered white gravy. Although traditionally served as the main entree for the evening meal in Texas and other southern states, Chicken Fried Steak has gained popularity in the Midwest and other locations as a breakfast food served with a side of eggs, toast, and hash browns.
Useful Kentucky Fried Chicken English #english #learnenglish
FAQ
Why is it called chicken fried chicken?
“Chicken fried chicken” is called that because it’s prepared like chicken fried steak, but using chicken instead of beef.
What does it mean when someone calls you fried chicken?
The fried chicken stereotype is an anti-African American racist trope that has its roots in the American Civil War and traditional slave foods. “Coon card” from 1905.
What the heck is chicken fried chicken?
Chicken fried chicken usually refers to boneless chicken that’s been flattened then breaded and fried. It’s usually served with gravy and mashed potatoes and hopefully fried okra. Chicken fried steak is a thin price of beef that’s been breaded and fried and served with gravy mashed potatoes and fried okra.
What does fried chicken symbolize?
Following the Civil War, Southern cuisine experienced a significant shift. Freed slaves, once denied access to desirable ingredients like chicken, began incorporating it into their own cooking. Fried chicken became a mainstay at celebrations and family gatherings, symbolizing freedom and a sense of newfound prosperity.
What does fried chicken mean?
Chicken-Fry: The verb describing the process by which chicken is prepared—dredged in seasoned flour, then fried in oil or melted lard until golden-crisp. Also applies to other foods cooked in this manner. (See the recipe for Chicken-Fried Short Ribs. ).
What does it mean to cook chicken by frying it?
Frying chicken means cooking it in hot oil. The best part is when you have a rhythm and good company, like on a sunny summer afternoon. Rushing or trying to make it futile is pointless.
What is the difference between chicken fried chicken and friend Chicken?
From music to movies, both chicken fried chicken and friend chicken hold cultural significance as dishes that provide taste of home. While chicken fried chicken and fried chicken have their differences in terms of exact prep and presentation, they are united by their crispy, comforting deliciousness.
What does fried chicken taste like?
The chicken comes out with a thick, crispy, flavorful coating surrounding moist, juicy meat. Chicken fried chicken is often served with country gravy made from the pan drippings. General steps for basic fried chicken include:
Where did Chicken Fried Chicken come from?
Chicken fried chicken is also commonly served as part of soul food cuisine. It’s likely that this dish came from Scottish and Irish immigrants who brought the American way of frying meat in batter with them. Chicken was much more available in the South than beef, so frying chicken in the same manner as steak became popular.
What to eat with chicken fried chicken?
It is often served with a creamy gravy, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Despite its name, Chicken Fried Chicken has nothing to do with chicken being fried; rather, it is more akin to a Southern-style schnitzel. People love this dish because it tastes warm and comforting. You can find it in a lot of Southern kitchens and restaurants.