Maryland is the U.S. state especially associated with Maryland fried chicken.
Maryland fried chicken is a regional preparation traditionally linked to the state of Maryland. Chicken is fried in a skillet, often using a relatively shallow amount of fat, and the pan juices may be used to make a cream gravy.
The dish is not simply a geographic label for every fried chicken recipe cooked in Maryland. Its defining features are the regional preparation and the customary gravy served alongside it.
Maryland fried chicken also appears in historical American cookery writing and has connections with the broader Chesapeake food tradition. It should not be confused with Kentucky-style fried chicken, which is more strongly associated with pressure frying and commercial fast-food branding.