National Fried Chicken Day 2023: Fried chicken is a globally popular, greasy, deliciously indulgent comfort dish. But did you know that the ultimate soul food was created in our own backyard, when Scottish chicken-frying techniques were combined with West African seasoning traditions, resulting in what is now one of the world’s most beloved guilty pleasures? Until World War II, fried chicken was an expensive delicacy, but due to mass production techniques, we can now enjoy it in almost every city for a reasonable price. On July 6, we break out the chicken containers and napkins, as it is National Fried Chicken Day.
WHEN IS NATIONAL FRIED CHICKEN DAY 2023?
National Fried Chicken Day is on July 6, and it honours juicy, tender, and delicious fried chicken.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL FRIED CHICKEN DAY
American fried chicken is considered the finest, but it was not invented in the United States. Europeans were already deep-frying poultry in fat during the Middle Ages, but it was Scottish immigrants to the United States who introduced the practise. Their preferred method of consuming fried poultry lacked seasoning, so their recipe was relatively flavourless. African slaves of Scottish immigrants adopted the recipe for fried chicken, frequently adding more spices as their own distinctive addition to the cooking method. When African slaves became Southern-American cooks, this cuisine became a staple in many households.
This theory is supported in part by James Boswell’s “Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides” journal. In 1773, he wrote that the locals served him fricassee of fowl for supper — “fried chicken or something like that.”
Hannah Glasse published the earliest known recipe for fried chicken in her 18th-century cookbook titled “The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy.” In 1747, her recipe titled “To Marinate Chickens” was published for the first time.
The history of fried chicken would be incomplete without mentioning Colonel Harland David Sanders, the monarch of fried chicken. He came up with the brilliant concept of cooking fried chicken quickly using a combination of spices and a pressure cooker after working a variety of jobs. When he first began selling the dish in his Corbin, Kentucky restaurant, it was not an immediate hit. At age 65, he began peddling his fried chicken on the road under the name “Kentucky Fried Chicken.” As part of his professional endeavours, he assumed the title of colonel. When he sold his company in 1964, there were 600 KFC franchises across the nation.
Fried chicken continues to captivate cuisine enthusiasts and consumers. In 2019, Popeye’s debuted a fried chicken sandwich that caused a massive sensation. The craze and clamour for the chicken sandwich continue to the present day, with competing franchises engaged in an ongoing “chicken war.”
5 FACTS CONCERNING FRIED CHICKEN
KFC was not an instantaneous sensation.
It took Colonel Sanders a while for his recipe to gain popularity.
Fried poultry has various customs
A container of KFC is required for Christmas celebrations in Japan.
Fried chicken was reserved for only special occasions.
Prior to World War II, fried poultry was served only for special occasions.
Fried chicken varies internationally.
In Japan, chicken is cut into small segments before being fried, whereas in Korea, it is double-fried and covered in a sweet and spicy sauce.
Gainesville takes fried chicken consumption very seriously.
In Gainesville, Georgia, it is prohibited to consume fried chicken with a fork or any other implement.
NATIONAL FRIED CHICKEN DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | July 6 | Thursday |
| 2024 | July 6 | Saturday |
| 2025 | July 6 | Sunday |
| 2026 | July 6 | Monday |
| 2027 | July 6 | Tuesday |
