When writer Adedoyin Adeniji made fried chicken for the first time in the United States it tasted…off.

She needed a tougher bird.

The first thing I decided to make?

Nigerian Fried Chicken

Simply Recipes / Photos by Nneka Owens

Growing up in Lagos Nigeria, fried chicken was a Sunday staple in my home.

We made the chicken by slow-cooking it in a slew of spices before deep frying.

It wasnt that I hadnt eaten fried chicken since arriving at college a few months back.

Nigerian Fried Chicken

Simply Recipes / Nneka Owens

I dont want that chicken that tastes diluted, Nneka Owens, a Nigerian Americanfood bloggerand medical researcher shares.

It is much chewier and drier once prepared.

Raw, it looks less plump.

Nigerian Fried Chicken

Simply Recipes / Nneka Owens

This toughness, which may be off putting to some, fits perfectly into Nigerian cuisine.

This is because tough chicken is nearly impossible to fry immediately without rendering it a jawbreaker.

Then, the chicken is deep fried and sometimes covered in a pepper sauce before serving.

Most other cultures marinate raw chicken in spices first, then batter and deep fry.

For convenience and to replicate the flavors shes accustomed to, Nneka has found a multitude of hacks.

And sometimes, I say screw it and make American fried chicken.

Southern fried chicken cooking methods already consider the texture of chicken in the United States.

The method helps retain moisture, form, and flavor.

As a private chef, Agokei finds it impossible to offer Nigerian fried chicken to his fine dining clients.

He explains that the process of eating Nigerian fried chicken is untenable to the West due to its toughness.

These hindrances notwithstanding, for many of us Nigerians, Nigerian fried chicken brings memories of celebration and joy.