History of Fried Chicken When discussing the origins of fried chicken as we know it today, one’s thoughts naturally turn to the United States. Indeed, the term "fried chicken" was first recorded in America during the 1830s and subsequently gained popularity in American cookbooks throughout the 1860s and 1870s. However, the fried chicken prepared in the American South actually represents a fusion of medieval Scottish and African frying techniques. Originally, the Scots fried chicken in fat without any seasoning; enslaved Africans adopted this method but enhanced the flavor by seasoning the chicken before frying. This cooking style became widespread in America following the arrival of Scottish immigrants. It is likely that modern fried chicken styles—such as that of KFC—were developed based on these foundations. KFC KFC is an American restaurant chain with a global presence, renowned for its fried chicken. In terms of sales volume, it ranks second only to McDonald's among the world's restaurant chains, operating in 123 countries. The chain was founded by Colonel Sanders, who established a roadside restaurant at a gas station when he was forty years old and later rose to fame with his "Kentucky Fried Chicken" recipe. The signature item on the KFC menu is fried chicken pieces seasoned with a blend of eleven herbs and spices—a formula that remains a closely guarded trade secret. Since the 1990s, KFC has expanded its menu to include items such as chicken fillet sandwiches, salads, french fries, desserts, and beverages. KFC’s slogan conveys a sentiment similar to the Persian expression: "You'll lick your fingers!" Fried Chicken When we talk about fried food, fried chicken is usually the first thing that comes to mind. To make fried chicken, specific cuts—such as the breast, wing, thigh, and drumstick—are used; a whole chicken is never fried intact. While fried chicken is a dish that is often ready quickly (or even pre-prepared) in restaurants, making it at home can be time-consuming. Nevertheless, if you wish, you can prepare fried chicken at home that rivals what you enjoy at restaurants. To prepare it, whisk an egg with salt and pepper, then add breadcrumbs, red pepper, salt, a bit of ginger, onion powder, dried basil, and garlic powder, mixing everything thoroughly. Coat the chicken pieces completely in this mixture and set them aside for an hour to allow the spices to fully infuse the meat. Then, fry them. For a result that closely resembles restaurant-style fried chicken, it is best to use coarse breadcrumbs and cook the chicken in a deep fryer. Another method is to dip the chicken pieces into the beaten egg and, once fully coated, roll them in a mixture of coarse breadcrumbs and spices.