The all-American dish of fried chicken did not originate in America. The basic recipe has traveled around the country and has taken on a bit of the personality of each location. Fried chicken is an economical meal, and you can add your own touches to the recipe.
History
Fried chicken is believed to have originated in China and brought to America by the early Scottish immigrants who settled in the South. The Scots fried their chicken in fat, not oil. African slaves made their contribution to the history of fried chicken by adding spices.
Types
There is more than one way to fry a chicken. You can take the basic types, such as the traditional Southern fried chicken, Maryland fried chicken, buttermilk fried chicken. Mississippi fried chicken and Chinese fried chicken, and make them your own by tweaking them just a bit.
Features
Southern fried chicken is coated in seasoned flour and cooked in an iron skillet in vegetable shortening with a bit of bacon fat.
Maryland fried chicken is coated in bread crumbs and cooked in salt pork and butter.
Buttermilk fried chicken is coated in flour, cooked in oil and served with a buttermilk gravy.
Mississippi fried chicken uses chicken breasts that are coated in flour and baking powder, then cooked in oil.
Chinese fried chicken has one major difference: It is not breaded. Because breading absorbs oil and keeps the chicken fat in, Chinese fried chicken is less greasy, with very crispy skin.
Considerations
There are many things to consider before you begin to cook. If you want a bit of a different taste, add paprika or chili powder to the flour. Use flavored bread crumbs instead of plain, or salt free if sodium content is an issue. You also need to choose the type of oil. Polyunsaturated oils are the healthiest. I use canola oil because it has no flavor and lets the flavor of the food come through.
Also consider the method of cooking. Most fried chicken is made in a skillet. I like to use an electric skillet because it is easier to control the temperature. You can also put the cover on to make the chicken moist.
Warning
Salmonella is a concern when dealing with chicken. Make sure the chicken is cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of 170 degrees. Do not put any other food on the same counter as raw chicken. Wash your hands and the surface immediately after handling the chicken. You will be dealing with hot fat or oil. Do not put the temperature higher or put in more oil than the recipe calls for. It can still splatter, so wear protective eye glasses or goggles and wear cooking gloves.
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