Chicken fingers – those delicious morsels of breaded, fried chicken – are a beloved fixture on menus across America. With their crunchy coating enveloping tender, juicy chicken, it’s easy to understand why they are so popular. But have you ever wondered why they are actually called “chicken fingers”?
As tasty and ubiquitous as chicken fingers are today their history and origins are shrouded in some mystery. So let’s dive in and unravel the curious backstory behind this appetizing food and its memorable name.
Tracing the Origins of Chicken Fingers
While no one knows the exact origins of chicken fingers, some key theories have emerged over the years:
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One account credits H.D. “Doc” Thornton a restaurant owner in Kentucky, with inventing chicken fingers in the late 1950s. As the story goes Thornton cut up chicken breasts into long strips, breaded and fried them, and served these early “fingers” as snacks to customers.
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Around the same time, Don M. Smith, a chef in Tennessee, reportedly served similar fried chicken strips at his restaurant. Smith is said to have created his version for ease of eating while driving.
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The Puritan Backroom restaurant in New Hampshire also stakes a claim. They say they developed breaded chicken strips in the 1950s as a healthier, boneless option for children, calling them “chicken tenders”
While we may never know exactly who came up with the first prototype, it’s clear chicken fingers emerged in the late 1950s from several inventive culinary minds. The post-war era, with its boom in automobiles and rise of fast food, set the stage for this tasty innovation.
How “Chicken Fingers” Got Their Name
So who actually coined the memorable name “chicken fingers”? And how did these breaded strips get associated with fingers in the first place?
It seems the straightforward name simply arose from the distinctive shape of chicken fingers. The long, thin cuts of chicken breast, encased in an outer breading resembling a crunchy skin or batter, vaguely resemble human fingers.
Some early restaurants referred to them as “chicken tenders,” likely referring to the tenderloin part of the chicken used. But the more descriptive phrase “chicken fingers” quickly caught on instead.
The name “chicken fingers” specifically conjures the image of the food itself – slender chicken strips ready for dipping into sauce. So the term stuck and became widely adopted, for its simplicity and instantly recognizable meaning.
The Rise in Popularity of Chicken Fingers
While chicken fingers originated in the 1950s, they didn’t gain broad mainstream popularity right away. A few key factors propelled chicken fingers from an obscure regional snack to a ubiquitous American favorite:
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Fast food chains like McDonald’s and Burger King added breaded chicken strips and fingers to their menus in the 1970s and 80s. Aggressive marketing and nationwide availability introduced them to consumers across the country.
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Food technology advancements enabled large-scale production and distribution of highly processed foods like breaded and frozen chicken fingers.
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The growing convenience food trend meshed perfectly with chicken fingers’ portability and ease of eating. Busy families increasingly sought quick, tidy meals to fit their on-the-go lifestyles.
By the 1990s, chicken fingers earned a permanent place in America’s culinary consciousness and on menus from coast to coast.
Regional Differences and Fun Variations
While the basic concept of chicken fingers is consistent, regional differences have emerged over the years:
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Some parts of the South still use the term “chicken tenders” instead of “fingers.”
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Areas like the Midwest and Northeast often serve them as appetizers with dipping sauces, while the South may offer them as entrees with sides.
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Crunchy Panko breading is popular for chicken fingers in the West and Southwest. Southern versions tend to use cornmeal for coating.
Restaurants have also developed creative twists on chicken fingers to delight diners:
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Spicy fingers seasoned with cayenne or other peppers for heat.
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Jumbo fingers that are extra thick and indulgent.
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Unique dipping sauces like honey mustard, ranch, and buffalo.
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New shapes like chicken finger “bites” and crispy chicken “fries.”
Why the Name Stuck Over Time
Chicken fingers may have murky origins, but it’s clear why the whimsical name endured over the decades:
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The term “chicken fingers” gives an immediate visual cue of what the food is – breaded strips resembling “fingers” of chicken.
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It’s kid-friendly and fun, conjuring imagery of eating with your fingers. The name likely appealed to children in particular.
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It’s simple, catchy and memorable – easy for restaurants to market and for consumers to grasp.
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New variations and regional names never supplanted the widespread recognition of “chicken fingers.” It remained the common national descriptor.
So while we may never unravel the full history of how chicken fingers came to be, we can certainly be grateful someone thought to call them “fingers.” The unique name immediately conveys the experience of eating this addictive food. And it forever secured the enduring appeal and popularity of chicken fingers across America.
Did you get it?
Tomorrow’s Wonder of the Day might really fire you up!
Are you hungry yet? We are! Find a few friends or family members to help you check out the following activities:
- Ask an adult friend or family member to take you on a field trip to a local restaurant. What are you going to order? Chicken fingers, of course! Enjoy having what is probably one of your favorite meals. Spend some time checking out the menu to see what other chicken choices are available.
- If you cant make it to a restaurant, no worries! Just visit the grocery store to pick up a few simple supplies and try one of these fabulous chicken finger recipes, some of which offer healthier versions of this popular snack: + Chicken Fingers Painters Palette + “Fried” Pecan Chicken Fingers + Chicharrones de Pollo + Baked Crispy Chicken Fingers + Pretzel-Crusted Chicken Fingers and Zucchini Sticks
- How many different types of ways can chicken be cooked? Jump online to search for chicken recipes. Youll likely find duplicate recipes for similar dishes. Keep a list of the chicken dishes youd like to try sometime. Print out a recipe or two to try at home the next time you help cook dinner!
Have You Ever Wondered…
- Do chickens have fingers?
- Why do we call them “chicken fingers”?
- How can you make healthier food choices when eating out?
What do you get if you cross a chicken with a ghost? A poultry-geist! Poultry-geist…poltergeist…get it? *Sigh.* Oh well, we try.
Chances are — if youre a child between the ages of 0 and 97 — youve had chicken fingers at one point or another. You may have had them more times than you can remember since theyre a very popular food at restaurants around the country.
But did you ever stop to think about what youre eating? Have you ever seen a chicken with fingers? Not likely…
Chicken fingers — also called “chicken strips,” “chicken tenders,” or “chicken fillets” — are boneless, skinless pieces of chicken that are usually breaded and deep-fried. Since chickens dont have fingers, theyre obviously not made from chicken fingers! Chicken fingers are mainly white meat from the small, thin “tenderloin” portion of breast meat.
So why do we call them “chicken fingers”? No one knows for sure. Although theyre meant to be eaten easily with your fingers, the name probably comes from the fact that theyre shaped a bit like fingers — human fingers, that is!
Chicken fingers are usually served with your choice of a dipping sauce. Popular sauces include ketchup, ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, sweet and sour Polynesian sauce, honey mustard, and buffalo wing sauce.
Youll find chicken fingers on just about every childrens menu in any type of restaurant around the country. Since theyre usually deep-fried and served with French fries, they may not be the healthiest option on the menu, though.
When eating out, here are a few tips you can use to make healthier food choices:
- Many restaurants offer healthy alternatives today. Check menus for these items.
- If you have a choice between fruit and French fries, go for the fruit!
- Choose a salad with fresh vegetables, grilled meats, and low-fat dressing for a lighter alternative to burgers and fries.
- Go small! Watch your portion sizes and choose small sides rather than large ones.
- Ditch the soda. Drink milk or water instead. Add lemon to your water for more flavor.
- Watch your toppings. Mayonnaise, sour cream, cheese, and bacon add unnecessary calories and fat to many items.
- Slow down! Chew thoroughly and take your time while you eat. Eating slowly gives your body time to digest. If you eat more slowly, you may be surprised that you start to feel full before youre finished with your meal.
And as long as were talking about healthy habits, did you know that chickens stay in shape during the summer by playing sports? Its true! What do they play? Fowl ball, of course!
DID YOU KNOW THIS IS WHY THEY ARE CALLED CHICKEN FINGERS??
FAQ
Why are they called chicken fingers if chickens don’t have fingers?
No one knows for sure. Although they’re meant to be eaten easily with your fingers, the name probably comes from the fact that they’re shaped a bit like fingers — human fingers, that is!
Where does the term “chicken fingers” come from?
What Are Chicken Fingers? Chicken fingers are typically made from the inner fillet of the chicken breast. The fillet is cut into long, thin strips resembling the shape of a finger, hence the name.
What do they call chicken fingers in England?
“Fish fingers” is the normal British term, and has been ever since the things were invented in the ’50s. The chicken things are usually called “dippers” if they’re shaped from chopped meat, or “strips” or “goujons” if they’re made from single solid pieces of meat.
What do you call chicken fingers?
Chicken tenders (also known as chicken goujons, tendies, chicken strips, chicken fingers, or chicken fillets) are chicken meat prepared from the pectoralis minor muscles of the bird. These strips of white meat are located on either side of the breastbone, under the breast meat (pectoralis major).
Why are chicken fingers called chicken fingers?
The term “ chicken fingers ” emerged from the physical resemblance of the fried chicken strips to human fingers. The long, slender shape and crispy exterior evoke the appearance of elongated digits. Over time, the name stuck, and “ chicken fingers ” became the universally accepted moniker for this delectable treat.
Where did chicken fingers come from?
The genesis of chicken fingers can be traced back to the 1950s in the United States. In 1957, Thornton is said to have cut up a chicken breast into strips and fried them as a snack for his customers. The popularity of chicken fingers soared in the 1970s and 1980s, thanks in part to aggressive marketing campaigns by fast-food chains.
What is the difference between chicken fingers and tenders?
Nowadays, there are technical differences between chicken fingers and tenders, as fingers can be made from any part of the chicken breast while tenders must come from a muscle located beneath the breast which is called the pectoralis minor or inner filet. Back in 1974, when the term “chicken tenders” was first used, that difference didn’t exist.
Who invented chicken fingers?
The genesis of chicken fingers can be traced back to the 1950s in the United States. The exact inventor remains a mystery, but several individuals claim to have had a hand in their creation. One theory attributes their invention to H.D. “Doc” Thornton, a Kentucky restaurant owner.
When did chicken fingers become popular?
In 1957, Thornton is said to have cut up a chicken breast into strips and fried them as a snack for his customers. The popularity of chicken fingers soared in the 1970s and 1980s, thanks in part to aggressive marketing campaigns by fast-food chains. Chicken fingers, a beloved culinary delight, have tantalized taste buds for decades.
Why are chicken fingers so popular?
The popularity of chicken fingers soared in the 1970s and 1980s, thanks in part to aggressive marketing campaigns by fast-food chains. These companies recognized the appeal of the dish’s portable size, crispy texture, and versatility. As chicken fingers became a ubiquitous menu item, their name became ingrained in the culinary lexicon.