A little reason to celebrate
National Fried Chicken Day
Food ยท July 6
A day for fried chicken: seasoned, battered or dredged pieces of chicken fried until the crust turns crisp and golden.
National Fried Chicken Day falls on Tuesday, July 6, 2027. That is 252 days away.
Fried chicken is chicken pieces coated in seasoned flour or batter and fried in hot oil until the outside is crisp and the meat stays juicy. It is one of the most familiar dishes in American cooking, served at picnics, church suppers, roadside stands and kitchen tables.
Cooks argue about almost every step. Some soak the chicken in buttermilk first, which helps the coating cling. Some dredge twice for a craggier crust. Some fry in a deep pot, others in a heavy cast iron skillet with the oil only partway up the pieces. The seasoning can be little more than salt and pepper, or a long list of spices kept quiet by whoever makes it best in the family.
There are regional styles too. Hot chicken from Nashville arrives brushed with a fiery, oily paste and usually sits on white bread with pickles. Chicken and waffles pairs the crunchy pieces with syrup, which sounds odd until the first bite. Korean fried chicken, now common in many American cities, is often fried twice and glazed.
Marking the day mostly means eating some. People fry a batch at home, visit a favorite local spot, or pack a cold box for a park lunch, since fried chicken holds up well at room temperature for a short while and many people like it cold.
The sides tend to follow tradition: biscuits, coleslaw, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn, or a pile of pickles. Dark meat pieces like thighs and drumsticks stay moist in the fryer and are the usual pick for anyone who wants the crust and the juiciness at once.
Ways to celebrate
- Try a buttermilk soak before frying a batch at home.
- Visit a local fried chicken spot you have not tried yet.
- Pack cold fried chicken and coleslaw for a picnic lunch.
- Share a family seasoning recipe with a friend.
- Taste a regional style, like Nashville hot chicken or chicken and waffles.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday, July 6 |
| 2027 | Tuesday, July 6 |
| 2028 | Thursday, July 6 |
| 2029 | Friday, July 6 |
| 2030 | Saturday, July 6 |
Also on July 6
Categories: Food days