Whenever someone asks us Americans about our favorite meal, we cannot stop ourselves from mentioning crispy fried chicken. It is the ultimate comfort food for us. Crispy fried chicken has to be on the menu when we are binge-watching movies, having a birthday party, or having a romantic dinner with our loved ones.
Many say munching on piping-hot crispy fried chicken is a joy like no other. Fried chicken does not come in one form. Instead, it comes in many forms – legs, wings, breasts, and others. When it comes to fried chicken, everyone has their own preference.
Some want to stick their teeth on wings, while others want a meatier one – breasts or legs. But have you ever thought about who came up with this tasty and crunchy treat? Fried chicken has many creators and is much older than you think. Over the years, every country has come up with its own version of crispy fried chicken.
However, do you want to know the origin of your favorite meal – the crispy fried chicken? Then, read on to know the fried chicken history!.
Fried chicken – crispy, juicy, and undeniably delicious This iconic dish holds a special place in the hearts and stomachs of millions worldwide But just when and how did this crunchy delicacy first sizzle into existence?
The origins of fried chicken remain shrouded in mystery, with many cultures staking their claim. Let’s embark on an investigative journey through centuries of kitchens, cookbooks, and culinary traditions to uncover the elusive history of fried chicken.
The Scottish Connection – Seasoning-Free Frying
One persistent tale credits Scottish immigrants for introducing fried chicken to the American South. Traditional Scottish cuisine was no stranger to pan-frying chicken in fat, albeit devoid of seasoning.
There were fried chicken recipes in early Scottish cookbooks from as early as the 1500s. Later, when the Scots crossed the Atlantic, they probably brought this way of cooking with them. That’s why the Scots were the first to do it, but seasoning hadn’t come yet.
West African Roots – Palm Oil & Poultry
Another origin story points to West Africa, where frying chicken in palm oil with aromatic spices was commonplace. West African cooking tradition also held chicken in high esteem, saving it for holidays and special events.
Later, enslaved West Africans potentially infused Southern cuisine with their chicken expertise and penchant for herbs and spices. This notion suggests the tantalizing seasoning we now associate with fried chicken has clear West African roots.
The American South – Influences Collide
The American South, where diverse cultures collided, emerges as the likely birthplace of seasoned fried chicken. Here, African, European, and Native American cooking traditions intersected, spawning new fusion cuisines.
If slave cooks were allowed to raise chickens, they may have seasoned and fried the chicken, just like in West Africa. At that time, chicken was a luxury, so this meal was only served on special occasions. As soon as slavery ended, seasoned fried chicken became a Southern favorite.
Home Cooking to Fast Food
For many years, people in the South made their own fried chicken and brought it to picnics, church events, and backyard dinners. Home cooks passed down generations-old recipes and cooking methods.
In the mid 1900s, the dish expanded beyond home kitchens. Chains like Kentucky Fried Chicken brought seasoned fried chicken into the fast food limelight. Colonel Sanders’ secret blend of 11 herbs and spices launched the global fried chicken craze.
An Enduring Culinary Icon
While its exact origins remain uncertain, fried chicken has undoubtedly earned its status as a beloved global cuisine. This crunchy, juicy treat has endured for centuries, with each culture reinventing it based on tradition and taste.
More than a recipe, fried chicken has become intertwined with family, community, celebration, and nostalgia. Its origins may be obscure, but its appeal is universal and undying. Crispy, spicy, comforting – this is a dish that has stood the test of time and will keep sizzling for generations to come.
Fried chicken history with a timeline
We know fried chicken lovers want to know everything about the origin of this delicious meal. As mentioned above, the first written recipe was published in 1747. However, many sources indicate that it is a thousand years old dish. The fried chicken had definitely changed a lot over the years. Lets start from the earliest version of crispy fried chicken:
People in Southeast Asia were the first ones that raised the wild ancestors of todays chicken. However, it is still being debated whether they were the first ones to eat them or not. People at that time had various religious beliefs and treated chickens along with many animals with huge respect and admiration. Therefore, killing them for consumption can be a huge deal for them.
However, later, the fried chicken started to appear on the royal tables in West Africa, China, and the Middle East often as a twice-cooked approach. People used to quickly fry the chicken and then braise it to make the meat more tender and juicy. It was the earliest version of now-crispy-fried chicken!.
The 1700s – 1900s
Here comes the advent of the famous American-styled fried chicken. The first recipe for crispy fried chicken appeared in Hannah Glasses “The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy” in 1747. According to the recipe, the seasoned and floured chicken needs to be fried in lard.
However, soon the Americans started experimenting and came up with their own versions of crispy fried chicken. In the Southern US, fried chicken became an Americans go-to dish for a communal meal after church. When the church pastor went to a congregants house for dinner, he was served the best pieces of the bird (usually the breasts).
Here comes the advent of fast-food fried chicken. Many fast food entrepreneurs took Americans love for fried chicken seriously. They started brainstorming ways to quickly cook a massive amount of fried chicken and keep them crunchy and juicy enough for the customers.
It is how Kentucky chicken, the Chicken Shack, Popeyes, and Chick-fil-A started. They undoubtedly transformed the national American-styled chicken into an international dish.
Whether its food, science, or entertainment, people love to experiment. Therefore, soon the expert Chefs began to try out different preparation techniques for crispy fried chicken. Every fast-food chain or restaurant was on the mission to develop a unique and delicious version of classic fried chicken.
Chickens were then fried in champagne or seasoned with different spices and sauces for unique flavors. Soon, the Japanese, Korean, Caribbean, or Jamaican-styled fried chicken made a huge buzz on the Internet. Now, every country has its own version of crispy fried chicken. Right now, someone in some part of the world would be munching on crispy fried chicken! Thats how popular this is.
Black Chef tries Korean Fried Chicken for the First Time
FAQ
Who created the first fried chicken?
It may surprise you to learn that it’s a lot older than you think. English cook Hannah Glasse published the first fried chicken recipe in 1747. Yet fried chicken has been around for thousands of years. Their countries of origin include China, the Middle East, and West Africa.
When did humans start frying chicken?
However, the Scottish were the first to have been recorded as deep frying their chicken in fat with breadcrumbs and seasonings, as evidenced by a recipe in a 1747 cookbook by Hannah Glasse and a 1773 diary entry describing fried chicken on the Isle of Skye.
Who discovered deep fried chicken?
Its roots can be traced back even to West Africa, where deep frying was a common cooking method, and Scottish immigrants to the Southern United States who …Nov 8, 2023.
Who came out with fried chicken?
Between the 17th and 19th centuries, African Americans started making fried chicken using recipes from Scottish immigrants.