Growing up in the South, I was introduced to fried chicken at a young age. My whole family would come over on Sunday afternoon for a feast that included fried chicken and various sides like okra, green beans, corn on the cob, sweet potatoes, and cornbread. Not only was the food delicious, but the company was great too!
Today, I wanted to share with you a bit of fried chicken history and also bring you some really good fried chicken recipes. First, let’s discuss some of the history behind fried chicken…
“Fried chicken has a dual origin in the rural southern United States. The Scots had a tradition of frying chicken in fat, unlike their English counterparts who baked or boiled chicken. Later, as African slaves, seasonings and spices were introduced into households as cooks which are absent in traditional Scottish cooking, enhancing the taste Since slaves were often allowed to keep only chickens, frying chicken as a special occasion spread through the African-American community.often the only animals they could afford to raise.Since fried chicken could keep for several days, it traveled well and also gained favor during segregation when blacks normally couldn’t find places to eat and had to bring your own food.Southern whites also continued the tradition of frying chicken.While not socially constrained like blacks, whites p works were not better off economically. Thus, fried chicken continues to dominate as “Sunday dinner” or on other special occasions.”
The first recipe that I am going to share with you actually unites an English style of cooking along with Scottish and southern influences. I say this because the recipe is an oven fried chicken recipe. Don’t worry if this isn’t your cup of tea! We will share traditional fried chicken recipes below this one.
Baked Fried Chicken
2 1/2 – 3 lbs. chicken pieces 2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp pepper 1 cup flour 2 tsp. paprika 1/2 cup crisco golden oil melted
Coat chicken with combined flour, salt, paprika and pepper. Submerge in oil and place skin side down in the pan. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes and turn chicken over and bake for 30 minutes or until done.
Obviously, this is not how we usually do it here, but it is a good recipe that I wanted to share with you. Now for the good stuff! Next, I want to share with you a good southern style fried chicken recipe.
Simple Southern Fried Chicken
1 fried chicken, without skin if you want less fat. I leave the skin on. 3 teaspoons Lawry’s seasoned salt 2 cloves garlic, finely minced 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup vegetable oil
1. Season chicken with all seasonings.
2. Pass the chicken through flour until covered. Shake off excess flour. Sprinkle with additional seasonings.
3. Simply fry the chicken in a pan until golden brown. I like it crispy so I cook it a little longer than most.
You can start with the oil very hot and then reduce it later. This seals in moisture and flavor, then cooks it.
I hope you enjoy these fried chicken recipes. We’ll be providing more great recipes and resources, so be sure to check back with us soon! In the meantime, I encourage you to check out the following resource. You’ll be glad you did!