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.
Recipes for fried chicken appeared in early Scottish cookbooks as far back as the 1500s. When Scots later voyaged across the Atlantic, they likely brought this pan-frying technique with them. So the Scots pioneered the method, but the seasoning was yet to come.
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.
Enslaved cooks, allowed to raise chickens, may have seasoned and fried their poultry as in West Africa. As chicken was then considered a luxury, this remained a special occasion meal. After slavery’s abolition, seasoned fried chicken grew into a Southern staple.
Home Cooking to Fast Food
For decades, fried chicken was a homemade food, served at picnics, church gatherings, and backyard dinners across the South. 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. In the past, people used to fry the chicken quickly and then braise it for more tender and juicy meat. 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.
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FAQ
Who created the first fried chicken?
You may be surprised to learn that it is much older than you think! The first recipe developed around fried chicken was published in 1747 by English cook Hannah Glasse. 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?
At some point between the 17th and 19th centuries, African Americans began cooking fried chicken based on the recipes of the Scottish immigrants.