National Curried Chicken Day
Celebrated: January 12
A Spicy, Saucy, Global Comfort Food
January 12 is National Curried Chicken Day—a celebration of one of the world’s most beloved and flavorful dishes. Whether you know it as chicken curry or curried chicken, the concept is simple and endlessly adaptable: tender pieces of chicken simmered in a richly spiced sauce, often featuring garlic, ginger, onions, turmeric, cumin, coriander, and chilies.
While versions of curried chicken are now popular around the world, we have India to thank for the original. The word "curry" itself is a Western interpretation of kari, a Tamil word meaning sauce or gravy. Indian cooks have prepared countless variations of curried meat and vegetables for centuries. British colonists brought those recipes back home in the 18th and 19th centuries, adapting them into what became known as “curry” in the UK and beyond.
Today, chicken curry is found on dinner tables from London to Kingston to Louisiana, with local spices and traditions adding their own spin.
Flavorful Facts
- Curried chicken is beloved in India, the UK, Thailand, Jamaica, Malaysia, Trinidad, and beyond.
- The dish gained popularity in the U.S. during the mid-20th century, especially in fusion cuisine and global restaurants.
- Some variations use yogurt, cream, tomatoes, or coconut milk as the base—each bringing its own texture and richness.
- Chicken curry is considered an early example of “globalized cuisine,” blending local ingredients with cross-cultural inspiration.
How to Celebrate National Curried Chicken Day
- Make Your Own: Try a homemade curry using a pre-made spice blend or make your own garam masala.
- Order In: Support a local Indian, Caribbean, or Southeast Asian restaurant that serves their take on chicken curry.
- Explore Regional Styles: Taste the difference between Jamaican curry chicken and Indian butter chicken—or Thai green curry.
- Turn Up the Heat: If you like it hot, experiment with habanero, Scotch bonnet, or ghost pepper for a fiery kick.
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