The History of Pickles on Fried Chicken Sandwiches
Pickles have long been a staple condiment served alongside fried chicken. The tangy, crunchy pickle provides an acidic contrast to the hot, crispy, savory fried chicken. While the exact origins are unknown, the pairing of pickles and fried chicken likely began in the American South.
Fried chicken sandwiches came later, first gaining popularity in the 1960s and 70s. Fast food chains like Chick-fil-A began serving fried chicken sandwiches with pickles as a standard topping. Since then, the combination has become an expected part of the fried chicken sandwich experience.
Why Are Pickles So Commonly Paired with Fried Chicken Sandwiches?
There are a few key reasons pickles have become such a ubiquitous topping on fried chicken sandwiches:
Flavor contrast
As mentioned earlier, pickles provide a tart, tangy flavor that balances the rich, salty, savory flavors of the fried chicken. The crunch of the pickle also contrasts nicely with the crispy crunchy exterior and juicy interior of the chicken.
Acidic properties
Pickles contain vinegar, which has acidic properties. The acid helps cut through and balance out the fattiness of fried foods like chicken. It helps cleanse the palate between bites.
Tradition
Because pickles have been served with fried chicken for so long, it’s now considered traditional in Southern American cooking. Fried chicken sandwich chains have continued the legacy of pairing pickles and fried chicken by putting pickles on their signature sandwiches.
Familiarity
Most people are used to and expect having pickles on fried chicken sandwiches. The pickle has become an essential part of the experience. Leaving it off would seem odd and unfinished to many fried chicken sandwich enthusiasts.
Texture
The crunch of a crisp, chilled pickle provides texture contrast to the hot, juicy, saucy chicken sandwich. Some fried chicken sandwiches can be very mushy with the fried chicken, sauce, and bun all soft. The pickle adds a nice textural element.
Visual appeal
Bright green pickles popping out from between the fried chicken and bun look appetizing on restaurant menus and advertisements. The pickle adds visual interest and color contrast.
Types of Pickles Commonly Used on Fried Chicken Sandwiches
While any type of pickled cucumber can be used on a fried chicken sandwich, some are more popular than others:
Dill Pickle Chips
The quintessential fried chicken sandwich pickle. Thinly sliced, often crinkle-cut dill pickle chips offer acidity, crunch, and visual appeal. The distinctive dill flavor pairs nicely with the chicken.
Bread and Butter Pickle Chips
Slightly sweeter than dill pickles, the bread and butter variety also works well. The subtle sweetness balances but doesn’t overpower the chicken and other toppings.
Pickle Spears
Some places serve a classic sandwich pickle spear rather than chips. Spears provide more pickle in each bite compared to thin chips.
Pickle Relish
Pickle relish features chopped pickles in a sauce. It offers great acidic pickle flavor but without much texture contrast.
Fried Pickles
A popular variant is pickles that have been battered and fried themselves, usually served on spicy chicken sandwiches. Fried pickles add crunch and reinforce the Southern flair.
Other Potential Fried Chicken Sandwich Toppings
While pickles may be the most ubiquitous fried chicken sandwich topping, they are far from the only option. Some other toppings commonly found on fried chicken sandwiches include:
| Topping | Description |
|---|---|
| Lettuce | Crisp lettuce like iceberg or leaf lettuce adds freshness and crunch. |
| Tomato | Sliced tomato provides moisture and acidity. |
| Onion | Sliced or fried onion gives flavor and texture. |
| Cheese | Melted cheese like American or cheddar adds creaminess. |
| Bacon | Smoky, salty bacon enhances the savory flavors. |
| Avocado | Creamy avocado gives an additional texture contrast. |
| Sauces | Condiments like mayo, ketchup, mustard, ranch, etc. add moisture, acidity and flavor. |
However, none of these toppings have become as standard as the mighty pickle.
Pickling Process Explained
So why are pickles so sour and crunchy? Let’s quickly explore the pickling process:
Brining
Cucumbers are submerged in a brine solution of water, vinegar, salt, and spices. The brine gives pickles their signature tangy flavor.
Fermenting
The brined cucumbers go through a fermentation process, aided by beneficial bacteria. This infuses them with sourness and acidity.
Crunchy Texture
The brining process helps pickle chips and spears retain their crunchy texture. The vinegar firms up the vegetable’s cell walls.
Flavor Infusion
Spices and herbs added to the brine, like garlic, dill, coriander, and mustard seeds, give pickles added dimension.
Long Lasting
The pickling process preserves cucumbers so pickled products can be enjoyed long after cucumber season is over.
Nutrition of Fried Chicken Sandwiches with Pickles
Pickles themselves are low in calories and high in sodium. Here is the approximate nutrition breakdown for a typical fried chicken sandwich with pickles:
| Item | Calories | Carbs | Fat | Protein | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fried chicken breast | 300 | 0g | 15g | 25g | 500mg |
| Brioche bun | 300 | 40g | 4g | 10g | 330mg |
| Pickle chips | 10 | 2g | 0g | 0g | 230mg |
| Mayonnaise | 100 | 0g | 11g | 0g | 100mg |
| Total | 710 | 42g | 30g | 35g | 1160mg |
So while pickles add lots of flavor, they contribute minimal calories. The fried chicken breast and bun provide most of the calories in a fried chicken sandwich.
Pickles Beyond Fried Chicken Sandwiches
While the classic pairing is fried chicken and pickles, pickle chips and spears can make delicious accompaniments to many other sandwiches and foods too. Here are just a few ideas:
Burgers
A dill pickle chip gives a similar punch of acidity and crunch to basic hamburgers.
Grilled Cheese
A few bread and butter pickle slices in a grilled cheese sandwich add sweetness.
Deli Sandwiches
Pickles liven up cold cut sandwiches with subtle acidity.
Salads
Chopped pickles can be incorporated into potato, egg, chicken, or tuna salad.
Snacking
Dill spears are a healthy, low-calorie snack on their own.
Martinis
A pickled cocktail garnish instantly livens up a martini’s flavor.
Conclusion
So in summary, the tradition of putting tangy, crispy pickle chips or spears on fried chicken sandwiches likely originated because the acidic pickle helps cut through and contrast the hot, juicy, fatty chicken. The crunch also adds textural contrast. Over time, the pairing has simply become an expected part of the fried chicken sandwich experience in America. Next time you enjoy this classic sandwich, take a moment to appreciate how the humble pickle contributes so much to the overall taste and enjoyment!