The Viral Fried Chicken Ice Cream Sensation Taking Over TikTok

A quirky recipe combining breaded fried chicken ice cream has become a viral sensation on TikTok, amassing millions of views. This unlikely food mashup transforms scoops of ice cream into chicken tender and drumstick shapes, which are then coated in crispy breading. What started out as one TikTok user’s unique hack has spawned a full-blown food craze with countless variations.

In this post, we’ll trace how the fried chicken ice cream recipe took off on TikTok. I’ll also provide a step-by-step tutorial on how to make the viral treat at home, explain why it resonates with so many people, and answer common questions about this outside-the-carton ice cream innovation. So grab a drumstick and let’s get cooking!

The TikTok Video That Started It All

While fried foods and ice cream individually have been around for centuries, their fusion into breaded fried chicken-shaped ice cream is a distinctly modern phenomenon. Most accounts credit TikTok user @NickDiRamio with inventing chicken ice cream.

In June 2022, Nick posted a video showing how to transform plain old ice cream into something surprising. He shaped scoops of ice cream to resemble chicken tenders and drumsticks. After freezing the ice cream “meat”, he then battered and breaded the shaped ice cream in a way that mimicked KFC or Popeye’s fried chicken.

Nick’s unique recipe and cooking demo instantly went viral, amassing over 9 million views and 600k likes on TikTok. The clever hack clearly tapped into Internet food culture and nostalgia for classic comfort foods. It inspired countless viewers to try making their own versions at home.

Comments flooded in from excited viewers: “This is either genius or straight up cursed lol” “I thought this was real chicken! Mind blown.” “Making this for my kid’s birthday party!”

The viral video introduced an outrageous yet somehow appealing recipe that no one had seen before. And soon #friedchickenicecream took on a life of its own on TikTok and beyond.

Fried Chicken Ice Cream Explodes Across Social Media

After Nick DiRamio’s video introduced the concept, the fried chicken ice cream trend absolutely exploded on TikTok and other social platforms. As of February 2023, the hashtag #friedchickenicecream has over 80 million views on TikTok. Google searches for “fried chicken ice cream” skyrocketed by 550% from June to August 2022.

Enthusiastic home cooks started posting their own recipes and videos about everything from making giant fried chicken ice cream cakes to incorporating flavored ice creams and spice rubs. Innovations like Red Hot Buffalo and Nashville Hot Chicken ice creams reflect just how much creativity this food hack has inspired.

On Instagram, photos of fried chicken ice cream creations receive thousands of likes. Food bloggers are writing posts documenting the trend and restaurants are adding their own riffs on chicken ice cream to menus.

The recipe has even been featured on popular TV shows like the Today Show and Good Morning America as hosts comment on the bizarre internet food trend. For better or worse, fried chicken ice cream has undeniably made its mark as a viral meme-worthy mashup.

So how exactly did this left-field recipe strike such a chord and spread so far across the internet?

Why Fried Chicken Ice Cream Blew Up

Clearly there’s something about combining crispy fried chicken and creamy ice cream that resonates universally. But looking closer, we can identify specific factors that powered this recipe’s viral rise:

Nostalgia – Both fried chicken and ice cream evoke happy childhood food memories for many people. Fusing them together amplifies the nostalgia factor.

Novelty – Such an unlikely pairing generates curiosity. The recipe’s sheer weirdness made it stand out.

Humor – Shaping ice cream like meat products adds an element of fun and absurdity that entertains people.

Shareability – The engaged comments and millions of views show how easily sharable and meme-worthy this trend became.

Relatability – Basic pantry ingredients mean most people can actually try making it at home.

Taste – As odd as it is, people who try it report the combo of crispy, creamy, salty and sweet is quite good!

Fried chicken ice cream was the perfect viral recipe – humorously absurd yet intriguing and feasible enough to inspire participation. Everyone wanted to share their reaction and try making this oddity.

How to Make the Viral Fried Chicken Ice Cream at Home

Now that your curiosity is piqued, it’s time to learn how to DIY this viral food right at home. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to whip up fried chicken ice cream from just a few ingredients and simple steps:

The Viral Fried Chicken Ice Cream

Recipe by radiantnourishCourse: CookbookCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

5

minutes

Calories

690

kcal

Rest time

3

hours 

Cooking MethodFrizzing

Best SeasonSummer

Total time

3

hours 

35

minutes

Part of the appeal of the fried chicken ice cream recipe is that it uses common pantry staples. To make about 8 drumsticks, you’ll need:

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Ice cream – Good quality vanilla works best

• 8 mini candy bars like Twix – For the “bone”

• Crushed corn flakes – For breading

• White chocolate and oil – For batter

Step-By-Step Recipe

• Form ice cream around mini candy bars to create the chicken leg shapes. Work quickly so it doesn’t melt.
• Place shaped drumsticks on a baking sheet and freeze until solid again, about 2 hours.
• Melt white chocolate with a bit of oil to create the batter.
• Dip each frozen drumstick in batter, then coat with crushed cornflakes.
• Freeze again for at least 1 hour to set the coating.
• Enjoy this crispy, crunchy twist on ice cream!

Recipe Video

Notes

• The possibilities are endless when you think outside the ice cream carton! Which unique chicken ice cream flavor will you fry up next?
• #Thanks To Easy Peasy Pan for the Video.

Creative Flavor Mashup Ideas

Now that you’ve mastered the technique, get creative with fried chicken ice cream variations:

• Use chocolate or cookies & cream ice cream for “chocolate fried chicken
• Add cayenne and paprika to the breading for spicy Nashville hot chicken
• Use peanut butter or Butterfinger bars in place of plain candy bars
• Top with honey mustard or maple dipping sauce
• Make waffle bowl “baskets” to serve the ice cream in
• Bread with crushed potato chips, pretzels or churros for different flavors
• Shape into other “meats” like fried fish or pork chops

The possibilities are endless when you think outside the ice cream carton! Which unique chicken ice cream flavor will you fry up next?

Serving Suggestions and Party Ideas

Now that your ice cream is fried up, here are some fun ways to share chicken ice cream with family and friends:

• Arrange drumsticks and tenders on a platter just like real fried chicken. Serve with ranch and honey mustard dipping sauces.
• Make fried chicken ice cream sandwiches on waffles or donuts.
• Skewer drumsticks and tenders on sticks for chicken ice cream pops.
• For kids’ parties, provide chicken wing boxes to hold the icy treats.
• Add fried chicken ice cream to an ice cream sundae bar with lots of fun toppings.
• Use breast and wing shapes for chicken nugget baskets served with fries.

With its humor and novelty, fried chicken ice cream is sure to create delight at any party or fun gathering. Just be prepared for lots of double-takes and questions when people realize what they’re eating!

Is Fried Chicken Ice Cream Safe to Eat?

If you’re wondering whether it’s actually safe to eat ice cream shaped and breaded like raw chicken, rest assured – properly prepared fried chicken ice cream is perfectly fine to eat and enjoy! Here are some key food safety tips:

• Use fresh ice cream and candy/ingredients within their expiry dates
• Ensure ice cream is frozen solid before breading to prevent bacteria growth
• Fry coating thoroughly until hot and crispy to eliminate food safety risk
• Refrigerate any leftovers and consume within 2 days

As long as you start with quality ingredients and follow standard ice cream handling precautions, the finished fried chicken ice cream treats pose no greater risk than enjoying a hot fudge sundae or any recipe combining hot and cold elements.

Troubleshooting Tips

Making fried chicken ice cream does take some technique. Here are some troubleshooting tips if your ice cream creations don’t turn out quite right:

• If ice cream won’t hold its shape, refreeze it longer until solid
• Work quickly while shaping so the ice cream doesn’t melt
• If breading slides off, make sure ice cream is fully frozen and double bread for thicker coating
• Re-dip in batter and breading if needed to fill any thin spots
• Add a pinch of cornstarch to dry breading mix for added crispness
• Use high quality ingredients – cheap ice cream and coatings will give poor results

Don’t get discouraged if your early attempts look a bit wonky. Part of the fun with fried chicken ice cream is the trial and error of perfecting both the technique and flavors.

Fried Chicken Ice Cream FAQs

If this is your first foray into breaded chicken-shaped frozen desserts, chances are you have some questions! Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about fried chicken ice cream:

Now that you’re a master of all things fried chicken ice cream, it’s time to get frying! Grab some drumsticks and have fun turning plain old ice cream into viral food fame. Just be prepared for the delicious madness that ensues when you fuse crispy chicken with creamy frozen desserts. Cluck yeah!

Don’t forget to try Crazy Delicious Ice Cream Nachos to give a try!