National Curried Chicken Day ( or National Chicken Curry Day) is one of the yummiest days which is celebrated on January 12. This delicious dish has been satisfying our tummy in the Western world since the 1800s. But it has been in existence long before then. We owe this delicious dish to India from where it has spread all over the world, reaching the United Kingdom, America, and the Caribbean.
History of National Curried Chicken Day
Chicken curry is the most popular chicken dish which is loved by most people in the world. It has a long, adventurous history, and remains one of the go-to poultry dishes to date. It goes very well with a sauce, seasoned with spices, and it dates back to the B.C. era.
Moreover, chicken curry remains one of the most delicious dishes and the most sought-after. The dish originated in India and it has taken different names in the Western world. For instance, in the U.S. it is known as the ‘country captain chicken,’ while in the U.K. it goes by the name ‘coronation chicken.’
According to history, During the British rule in India, the soldiers stationed in India were craving for this delicacy and started including it on their menus.
Similarly, in the early 1800s, a British sea captain in Bengal, India, shared the recipe for this dish with some friends at the major shipping port in Savannah, Georgia. The earliest statement of that record dates back to 1825, and by 1858, the dish received huge popularity across the U.K.
Furthermore, a woman from Warm Springs, Georgia, served this dish under the name ‘country captain’ to Franklin D. Roosevelt and General George S. Patton in 1940. However, only after the 1950s, the dish gained its popularity in the U.S.
In 1953, chefs Constance Spry and Rosemary Hume served a chicken recipe for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation ceremony and named it ‘coronation chicken.’ Since then it has become a popular choice for sandwich filling as well.
A typical Indian chicken curry made with chicken stewed in an onion and tomato-based sauce. They also add ginger, garlic, chilli peppers, and a variety of spices, often including turmeric, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and cardamom. However, chicken curry is commonly made with a pre-made spice mixture known as curry powder in outside of India.
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Timeline of National Curried Chicken Day
| 1600s (The Introduction of Curry) | Curry is introduced to English cuisine, from Anglo-Indian cooking. |
| 1825 (Country Captain at Sea) | A British sea captain stationed in Bengal, India, shares the recipe for this dish with some friends at the major shipping port, under the name ‘country captain.’ |
| 1940 (The President Gets a Taste) | A woman from Warm Springs, Georgia, serves the ‘country captain’ to Franklin D. Roosevelt and General George S. Patton. |
| 1953 (Coronation Chicken) | It is called ‘coronation chicken’ and is cooked by chefs for the coronation ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II. |
5 Interesting Facts About Curry
- It comes from a Tamil word: The word ‘curry’ originates from the Tamil word for a spiced dish, ‘kari’. Later, this term is adapted into english.
- There are a lot of houses for it in Britain: Great Britain is home to nearly 10,000 curry houses!
- Chicken Naga is the spiciest one: The spiciest chicken curry is the chicken from Nagaland, India. It is cooked with Naga peppers which are a hundred times hotter than Jalapeno peppers.
- The powder is just a blend of spices: Curry powder is a blend of spices which also called ‘garam masala’ in India.
- If it’s too spicy, you can add coconut milk: You can add some coconut milk to lower the spice level of the curry while it’s still cooking.
Frequently Ask Question
When is National Curried Chicken Day celebrated?
National Curried Chicken Day is celebrated on January 12 every year.
Who introduced chicken curry to English cuisine?
Anglo-Indian cooking introduced Chicken curry to English cuisine.
Is curry healthy to eat?
Yes, the spice blend in curry contains anti-inflammatory compounds which help boost heart health and improve blood sugar levels
What gives curry its yellow colour?
Turmeric spice gives the yellow colour to any curry dish. It is also known for its potential to reduce the possibility of Alzheimer’s disease.
Where does the term ‘curry’ come from?
The word ‘curry’ originates from the Tamil word for a spiced dish, ‘kari’. Later, this term is adapted into English.
What is the spiciest curry?
Chicken curry from Nagaland, India is the spiciest curry.
How can you reduce the spiciness of a curry?
To lower the spicy level of your curry, you can add some coconut milk while it’s still cooking.
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