Fried chicken is one of the best comfort foods, and there’s nothing like a plate full of this American classic from time to time. The classic version of fried chicken, involving the drenching of chicken in a buttermilk and flour-based batter, is known to all, but did you know that there are some regional variations with additions that you might not have ever thought of?
Here are some surprising additions that you’ll find in certain regions’ fried chicken recipes.
Nashville, Tennessee: Cayenne Pepper
Nashville hot chicken is one of the most popular dishes in and outside of the state of Tennessee, and those who love spicy food love how this dish incorporates hot sauce and cayenne pepper to make a taste bud-singing version of the classic dish.
Indiana: Bacon Fat
One food tradition in many places is taking advantage of all of the parts of the animal for food, and this is no exception in Indiana. Bacon fat, the usually uneaten park of this pig cut, is used as the material for frying fried chicken in this Midwestern version of the dish.
North Carolina: Vinegar BBQ Sauce
North Carolina’s fried chicken speciality is known as “dipped chicken,” which combines normal fried chicken with a sauce in which it is dipped post-frying. This sauce is a typical North Carolina vinegar-based barbeque sauce, which adds a sweet and tangy flavor to the crispy fried chicken, creating an irresistible combination.
