Fried chicken is having a moment.
Crispy, deep-fried poultry is all over food blogs, Instagram and restaurant menus. It's approachable, it's affordable, and it's something that bonafide gourmands and PB&J-type eaters enjoy with equal gusto.
What the cronuthref> was to 2013, fried chicken may be to the rest of 2015.
However, don't think for a moment that awesome fried chicken is here to stay. In fact, things are about to turn ugly. Very ugly.
Here's how we know:
1. The Chizza
A photo posted by KFC Philippines (@kfcphilippines) on Jul 4, 2015 at 7:21am PDT
The Chizza is alive and well in the Philippines. The real question is why any sober person would crave a soggy piece of fried chicken covered in mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce. Not to mention be delusional enough to call it a pizza.
2. You can't escape the fried chicken sandwich.
A photo posted by SHAKE SHACK (@shakeshack) on Jul 7, 2015 at 6:07am PDT
To date, Chick-fil-A specializes in fried chicken sandwiches, Fuku from Michelin-starred chef David Chang exclusively (except for a few side dishes) focuses on habanero-marinated fried chicken sandwiches, and Shake Shack now has a fried chicken sandwich that is supposedly limited edition (but from the rave reviews, it wouldn't be a surprise to see it earn permanent menu status).
Such widespread adoption of the fried chicken sandwich is concerning. See: salted caramel everything and bacon overload. Please don't make us hate you, chicken.
3. Fried chicken cake
A photo posted by Darius Dent (@dent_chill) on Jun 11, 2015 at 7:40pm PDT
Do we really need fried chicken in cake form? Apparently. We also need cornbread layered with mashed potatoes, gravy and fried chicken. And macaroni and cheese.
And we wonder why we love jeggings.
4. Fruity fried chicken
A photo posted by Karolina Kana Yun (@mykoreanlifee) on Jul 11, 2015 at 9:50pm PDT
So, Korean chain restaurant Mexicana Chicken now serves fruit-flavored fried chicken. Yes, you can now "enjoy" fried chicken coated in strawberry, banana and melon powder. Barf bag not included.
5. Vegetarian canned fried chicken
This is an affront to vegetarian, canned and fried foods. This "food's" mere existence is a testament to the fact that the end is near — eat your fried chicken while you can before doomsday is upon us all.