National Fried Chicken Day
The delicious aroma of golden-brown fried chicken fills the air on July 6th as it is National Fried Chicken Day.
This day celebrates the culinary wonder of fried chicken and brings together food enthusiasts to enjoy the savory, crispy awesomeness of this favorite dish.
This mouthwatering dish made by coating chicken pieces in seasoned batter and deep-frying them in oil has a long history and is enjoyed by people all across the world.
Although the exact origins of Fried Chicken Day are unclear, it has become a popular food holiday celebrated with enthusiasm by food enthusiasts, restaurants, and communities across the United States.
History of Fried Chicken
“Fried Chicken” is an American-English phrase that was initially documented in the 1830s and gained massive popularity in American cookbooks in the 1860s and 1870s.
This popular American dish has its origins in West African and Scottish cuisine. Scottish fried chicken was cooked in fat, while West African fried chicken used different seasonings and was deep-fried in palm oil.
Enslaved African-American women started selling fried chicken in the 1730s, and it was initially a very sought-after dish, as the ingredients were expensive.
It gained more popularity in the American South, especially after the abolition of slavery. Prior to industrial chicken production, only young chickens were suitable for frying, making fried chicken a seasonal luxury.
The Evolution of Fried Chicken Recipes
We have all heard of the claim that no one makes better fried chicken than Americans. But, do you know the tradition of frying chickens started way back in Europe in the Middle Ages?
Of course, like we mentioned the deep-frying of chicken in fat were brought by Scottish immigrants, but those were way too bland as they preferred having plain food without too many seasonings.
This was slightly modified by the enslaved African people in the Southern households, as they added spices and other seasonings to make it more flavorful.
James Boswell's journal of 1773 is an evidence for this, as he mentioned eating fried chicken while traveling.
The first ever known recipe of fried chicken was written by Hannah Glasse during the 18th century as found in her cookbook under the name “To Marinate Chickens” published in 1747.
Colonel Harland Davis Sanders, who was also known as the king of fried chicken, introduced a revolutionary way of making it. He blended different seasonings and cooked it in a pressure cooker to cook it faster.
He did not get success until he started Kentucky Fried Chicken or KFC, which took off and became popular with hundreds of franchises across the country.
Popeye's introduced a fried chicken sandwich in 2019 that became so popular that sparked a 'chicken war' among the competitors.
How To Celebrate National Fried Chicken Day
National Fried Chicken Day is a great opportunity to enjoy delicious deep-fried chicken without any guilt.
You can make it yourself at home, order takeout, or dine at a restaurant famous for its fried chicken. Many popular chains offer discounts and deals on this day.
This is also the perfect excuse to try new fried chicken recipes from around the world, whether it is the crispy Korean-style chicken or the Indian spicy versions that are flavor bombs.
Furthermore, every special day is an opportunity to try to give back to the community and spread kindness. You can do this by donating to food banks, volunteering to help the needy, or raising awareness about social issues. You could also donate some chicken to the homeless.
Do not forget to share your special fried chicken creations on social media with #NationalFriedChickenDay and talk about your favorite recipes or cooking tips.
If you enjoyed reading this, you will also enjoy reading National Chicken Wing Day.
