Who Invented Fried Chicken

Fried chicken is a beloved dish that has been around since the ancient Romans first began frying chicken in oils and fats. Since then, the dish has become an internationally beloved food staple, with countless variations on the traditional recipe. Fried chicken is a food that is frequently associated with the American South, but the true inventor of fried chicken is unknown.

Though it is unclear which person first invented fried chicken, it is likely that the first version of fried chicken was an African-American dish. African-American slaves often cooked by frying food in various fats and oils as a way to render the typically tough cuts of meat more palatable. Its popularity then became widespread among Southerners of all backgrounds, who began to fry their chicken in lard because it was a cheaper and more readily available ingredient. Over time, many fried chicken recipes began to incorporate various spices and ingredients, with some recipes featuring twelve or more ingredients including peppers, butter, garlic powder, and paprika.

With the invention of commercially produced vegetable oil, the traditional use of lard was slowly replaced by these new options, making fried chicken a much more accessible dish. Fats and oil used to fry chicken have changed over time, with recipes utilizing everything from bacon grease to peanut oil today. The dish also gained global popularity and is now considered a beloved classic, with countries around the world creating their own versions of the classic fried chicken recipe.

In short, fried chicken has been around since the ancient Romans, and has gone through a variety of transformations since then. It is likely that African-American slaves were the first to create the beloved dish, although the true origin is unknown. Nevertheless, fried chicken continues to be a beloved dish around the world today.