Kentucky is famous for being the birthplace of fried chicken as we know it today. While fried chicken has roots tracing back to Scottish and West African cooking traditions, it was in Kentucky that the modern recipe and cooking technique became popularized and spread across America and eventually the world. Some key facts about Kentucky’s history with this iconic dish:
Origins of Fried Chicken in Kentucky
Fried chicken has long been a staple of Southern cooking in America, but it was in Kentucky where the dish really took hold and became a sensation. Some important origins:
- Scottish immigrants brought their tradition of frying chicken in fat to the South. Frying was a way to cook tougher birds to make them more tender and flavorful.
- Enslaved West African cooks incorporated spices and seasonings into the fried chicken recipe, influencing the flavor profile.
- In the late 1800s, the dish became popular at social gatherings and picnics in Kentucky.
- Roadside diners, taverns, and restaurants began serving fried chicken and helped drive its popularity across the state.
So while fried chicken existed before Kentucky, it was here that the basic recipe came together and caught on in a major way across all levels of society. Kentucky cooks put their own spin on fried chicken and helped make it an American favorite.
Harland Sanders and Kentucky Fried Chicken
No discussion of Kentucky fried chicken is complete without talking about Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). Some key facts:
- Sanders began selling fried chicken from his roadside restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky in 1930.
- His restaurant became very popular for its secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices fried chicken.
- In 1952, he began franchising his chicken concept as Kentucky Fried Chicken with the first franchise in Utah.
- KFC popularized the term “Kentucky Fried Chicken” and the product became synonymous with the state even though it was franchised nationwide.
- The KFC empire made Sanders an icon and brought Kentucky fried chicken to the masses across America and worldwide.
Sanders leveraged the popularity of Kentucky fried chicken to build the world’s most famous fast food chicken chain. His KFC brand and Kentucky origins helped lodge fried chicken as a state specialty nationwide.
Regional Fried Chicken Differences
While Kentucky-style fried chicken became famous nationwide through KFC, different regions of the country put their own spin on the dish:
| Region | Style |
|---|---|
| South Carolina | Typically uses all parts of the chicken; sometimes served over rice |
| Louisiana | Known for very crispy, heavily spiced batter |
| Maryland | Uses cornflake crumbs for crispier skin |
| North Carolina | Prefers buttermilk-brined chicken for more tender meat |
Yet Kentucky original recipe fried chicken remains the gold standard that all others are measured against. The simple cooking method combined with secret seasoning blend has made it world famous.
Kentucky Fried Chicken Traditions
Beyond the restaurants, fried chicken is ingrained in Kentucky food culture:
- It is a staple at church picnics, county fairs and other social gatherings.
- Locals celebrate Fried Chicken Day every year on July 6.
- “Sunday go to meetin’ clothes” traditionally meant your best clothes for enjoying Kentucky fried chicken after church.
- Derbies and horse racing events in Kentucky always serve plates and buckets of fried chicken.
- Many families have their own homemade versions passed down for generations.
From small towns to cities, fried chicken remains a cherished part of Kentucky heritage and identity. Locals pride themselves on the state’s history with the dish.
Famous Kentucky Fried Chicken
Kentucky has spawned many legendary fried chicken restaurants that have reached international fame:
- Claudia Sanders Dinner House – Founded by Colonel Sanders’ wife in Shelbyville, serves upscale Southern food and the original KFC fried chicken.
- Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken – Started by a KFC franchisee in 1966, it expanded as a competitor across the U.S. South and Midwest.
- Loveless Cafe – This iconic restaurant outside Nashville began in 1951 and still draws huge crowds for its CAST IRON fried chicken and biscuits.
While KFC is by far the largest chain, many other Kentucky-based chicken joints highlight the pride the state takes in its specialty dish.
Local Kentucky Favorites
Beyond the big chains, smaller local restaurants help round out Kentucky’s fried chicken landscape:
- Brown’s Family Restaurant (Frankfort)
- Fozzy’s Bar & Grill (Lawrenceburg)
- Four Pegs Beer Lounge (Louisville)
- Claudia Sanders Dinner House (Shelbyville)
- Wilson’s Grocery (Smiths Grove)
These beloved spots serve up signature Kentucky-style fried chicken passed down for generations. They highlight the pride and care that goes into this regional specialty.
How Kentucky Fried Chicken is Cooked
While recipes vary, traditional Kentucky fried chicken is cooked as follows:
- Chicken pieces are brined in buttermilk, salt, and spices for extra flavor and tenderness.
- The pieces are dredged through flour mixed with salt and pepper to coat.
- Chicken is fried for 15-20 minutes in a heavy cast iron skillet with lard or vegetable shortening at 325-350°F.
- This method ensures a crispy browned exterior and fully cooked interior.
Variations use egg washes or batters, different dredging mixes, and higher fry heat for crunchier skin. But the basic steps result in the classic Kentucky taste and texture.
Why Kentucky Fried Chicken is Famous
There are a few key reasons why Kentucky fried chicken stands out and became so famous:
- Innovation – Kentucky cooks elevated simple pan frying into a crispier, more flavorful meal with special seasonings.
- Reputation – As it spread at events and restaurants, Kentucky became synonymous with the dish.
- Colonel Sanders – His KFC empire commercialized Kentucky fried chicken worldwide.
- Secret recipe – The mysterious 11 herbs and spices create a signature flavor profile.
- Cooking method – The technique results in juicy, tender chicken with a crispy seasoned crust.
While fried chicken existed elsewhere, Kentucky’s culinary fame derives from perfecting the recipe and popularizing it across the globe.
Is Kentucky Still the Fried Chicken Capital?
While other states like Tennessee, Louisiana and Maryland have their own iconic fried chicken, Kentucky has a strong claim as the capital:
- It originated the standard recipeadopted nationwide.
- The KFC empire was built on Kentucky fried chicken.
- Many major chains like Lee’s started here.
- Locals still serve it with pride at fairs, races and family meals.
- The state celebrates its fried chicken heritage.
From its history of innovation to ongoing cultural status, Kentucky is still considered the heart of fried chicken in America.
Conclusion
In summary, Kentucky remains intimately linked with America’s fried chicken tradition. From its origins being refined and popularized in the state, to Colonel Sanders spreading his secret recipe worldwide, Kentucky has played a pivotal role in creating and promoting this iconic dish. The cooking method developed here produced the distinctive flavor, crunchy coating and juicy meat that fried chicken connoisseurs continue to seek out. Beyond the big chains, a robust regional scene of beloved restaurants, traditions and homecooked meals keep Kentucky closely connected to its reputable specialty. This lasting culinary status and culture cement Kentucky as the centerpiece of America’s fascination with fried chicken over the past 150 years.