It is interesting to see how the history of fried chicken has developed fried chicken through the ages. From the kind of fried chicken in medieval times right up to the present day, this tasty dish has changed and evolved but lost none of its classic charm and incredible flavor. If you look at fried chicken dishes around the world you can see how they all have factors in common. Soft, juicy chicken is always preferred. A crispy, crunchy coating is loved all over the world and this applied whether you are looking at Chinese or Japanese fried chicken dishes or classic southern fried chicken.
In modern times we have access to cooking methods that were unknown before. Deep frying has been around for centuries but oven frying is relatively new. Also we have different types of breadcrumbs and batter ingredients, a greater variety of dried spices and ready-mixed seasonings than every before and even different kinds of oil for cooking our southern fried chicken recipes in. There are hundreds of modern recipes for fried chicken, which gives up a huge choice and lets us pick the recipe we love the most, out of all of them. Modern fried chicken is based on the classic dish but there are lots of new twists.
There are international recipes for deep fried chicken which are catching up in terms of popularity with traditional southern fried chicken recipes. Think of Chinese chicken wings or spiced fried chicken. Even the Indian traditional for marinating meat overnight in yogurt has evolved into the practice of marinating chicken overnight in buttermilk, to give it a great texture and a tangy flavor. Today we can take the best things from various fried chicken dishes around the world, choose our own fried chicken recipe and make the most incredible fried chicken, boasting an exquisite flavor.
Fried chicken, also known as southern fried chicken, is chicken, which is fried after being dipped into a breading mixture. It can be pan fried, deep-fried, oven fried or pressure fried. The breading absorbs the fat and seals in the chicken juices. You can use chicken pieces with skin and a bone or skinless, boneless chicken pieces.
Deep-frying has a long history and fried chicken was well known throughout Europe before it even reached the United States. People have been frying many different foods, such as meat, fish, bread, and vegetables, for a long time because frying is fuel-efficient. Fritters were the first foods ever to be fried and these were enjoyed in medieval times.
Fricassee was also popular and this is a dish, which is simmered in butter rather than fried. Chicken Maryland is reminiscent of fricassee and a good example of how recipes vary through culture and time. Chicken Maryland was served in restaurants as early as 1878.
Fried chicken was known as Ga Xao in Vietnam and Pollo Fritto in Italy in the late nineteenth century. The English preferred to boil or bake chicken whereas the Scottish liked to deep-fry it in fat. The West Africans also used deep frying methods at that time. Dredging the chicken with flour and spices before frying tenderizes the chicken and enhances its flavor.
Fried chicken is thought to have been introduced to the American south by the immigrant Scots and it became a popular staple. As the Africans arrived to work on southern plantations, the slaves worked as cooks and they incorporated the spices and seasonings that were not used in Scottish cuisine, to enhance the flavors of the food. Most slaves were allowed to keep cheap meat sources such as chickens and African communities in the southern states enjoyed their chicken fried on special occasions.
Traditional slave foods such as fried chicken, chitterlings, and watermelon have had a strong association with African American stereotypes since the Civil War. This association was commercialized in the early twentieth century by restaurants like Coon Chicken Inn and Sambo's. This perception has now faded out and fried chicken has become a well-loved southern dish for all races and nationalities, without the prejudice of almost a century ago.
In those early days, fried chicken was found to keep well for several days longer than other dishes and it traveled well in hot weather so it was often prepared to take on journeys. The earliest deep fried chicken recipe is very similar to the modern day method. Fried chicken is still popular for Sunday dinner and it is also served on holidays such as Independence Day.
The phrase "southern fried chicken" first appeared in print in 1925 and this dish was associated with the southern states. Fried chicken was not a popular recipe in the northern states until the latter part of the nineteenth century.
Breaded fried chicken became an American staple and is served in many fast food restaurants. As these fast food chains spread around the globe, so did fried chicken. Chicken is industrialized to such a point these days that it is actually the cheapest animal protein source.