NATIONAL FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH DAY

NATIONAL FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH DAY

National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day on November 9 is day to celebrate the crispy, flavorful delight of the fried chicken sandwich! Grab a seat at the table and fix a plate of this modern comfort food made of tender, fried chicken breast and toppings like lettuce, tomato, pickles, sauce, or slaw, all nestled in a soft bun.

#NationalFriedChickenSandwichDay

Before we dive into the fried chicken sandwich, we thought we should share the a brief history behind fried chicken! I mean, you can't have a fried chicken sandwich without fried chicken. Right?

Fried chicken is a of combination of both Scottish immigrants and African slave culinary traditions during the 1700s. Scottish Immigrants who settled in the American South (particularly Virginia and the Carolinas) brought their tradition of frying chicken pieces in fat. Using seasoning or breading was unusual for most European groups. When African Slaves were brought to the same region, they also brought the traditions of seasoned, battered, and deep-fried foods, often using palm oil.

African slaves were most likely exposed to the Scottish frying method when tasked with preparing meals for the plantation owner's family. They applied their own culinary expertise to the technique, enriching the simple fried chicken with the seasonings, spices, and marinating methods traditional to West African cooking. The combination of the Scottish frying method plus the West African seasoning and flavor profile s what gave birth to the dish we now recognize as Southern Fried Chicken.

Modern Fried Chicken Sandwich

The concept of a fried chicken sandwich has only been around since 1964 when S. Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A, debuted the first fried chicken sandwich at his restaurant The Dwarf Grill in Hapeville, Georgia. He cooked a boneless chicken breast in a pressure fryer for speed, then served it on a toasted bun with pickles. The sandwich set the standard for fast-food chicken and became the centerpiece of the new Chick-fil-A chain he founded 1967.

Today, major fast-food chains have overhauled their version of the fried chicken  sandwiches to launch new premium versions for their restaurants. And, it seems every restaurant, big or small, serve a version of the fried chicken sandwich as the "other" option and an alternative option to a burger.

CELEBRATING FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH DAY

Don't miss out on these great ways to celebrate today's food holiday!

  1. Visit a new restaurant or fast-food chain to sample a fried chicken sandwich you've never had before.

  2. Try a crispy chicken variation from another cuisine, such as Korean Fried Chicken, or a Latin-inspired option like a crispy chicken taco.

  3. Gather friends for a blind taste test of different crispy chicken sandwiches from local spots and vote on the winner of your own "Chicken Sandwich War."

  4. Make your own ultimate crispy chicken sandwich at home. Experiment with different seasonings, breadings (like panko or potato chips), and homemade sauces.

  5. Post a photo on social media of your favorite fried chicken sandwich using the hashtag #NationalFriedChickenSandwichDay! Don't forget to give a shout out to the restaurant that makes the best fried chicken sandwich in your area!

Chicken Sandwich War Deals

Many restaurants are offering some pretty tasty deals on National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day! In fact, this food holiday has become such a phenomenon it has created chicken wars! Stop by one of these restaurants (or all) to see who makes the best fried chicken sandwich and let us know who you think wins the war!

  • Popeyes: Get a free Chicken Sandwich with any $10 purchase until November 9.

  • KFC: KFC Rewards members can get a free Classic or Spicy Chicken Sandwich with any $1 purchase through the KFC app or website from November 7-9.

  • Burger King: Get a free Original Chicken Sandwich with a $3+ purchase via Royal Perks.

  • McDonald's: Offers include $2 McCrispys and a $10 10-piece McNuggets deal.

  • Jack in the Box: Get a free Cluck Sandwich with a minimum $1 purchase.

  • Buffalo Wild Wings: Includes a classic chicken sandwich in their "Pick 6" meal deal.

HISTORY BEHIND NATIONAL FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH DAY

We've went above and beyond to find the creator of National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day on November 9. In fact, we've went as far as visiting several different restaurants in search of information. We're not sad to report that we were unable to discover the creator of this day. Why? Because we did learn these restaurants serve their own version of the fried chicken sandwich...which were ALL delicious!