Aryana Kaypour

@aryloveschicken

You’ve probably stumbled across a video of golden-brown chicken sizzling in a cast-iron skillet, with a calm voice guiding you through the steps without a single jump cut. That’s Aryana Kaypour, better known as @aryloveschicken on TikTok, turning the humble fried chicken into a viral sensation. While food trends come and go, Aryana’s laser focus on perfecting one dish—and making it feel achievable for anyone with a stove—has carved out a cozy corner in the algorithm. Her channel isn’t about flashy gimmicks; it’s a reminder that sometimes, the simplest recipes hit hardest when you’re craving comfort after a long day.

What sets Aryana apart is her no-nonsense, kitchen-as-it-is authenticity. Most videos are shot in her sunlit Los Angeles apartment kitchen, often with her terrier mix, Biscuit, nosing around for scraps or her little brother popping in to test the seasoning. She films in real-time, showing the messy reality of cooking—like when her first batch of chicken didn’t crisp up right, and she just laughed it off while adjusting the oil temperature. Followers often comment, “This is how my grandma used to cook,” or “Finally, a recipe that doesn’t require a sous vide machine.” It’s that relatable imperfection that makes her feel less like an influencer and more like your friend who *actually* knows how to cook.

Take her now-iconic “20-Minute Crispy Fried Chicken” video, which blew up during a quiet weekend in early 2023. It’s deceptively simple: buttermilk, a handful of pantry spices, and a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet. But the magic is in the tiny details she shares—like chilling the marinated chicken for exactly 10 minutes to lock in moisture, or using a pinch of smoked paprika for depth without heat. The video sparked a wave of recreations, including one from a college student in Ohio who filmed her dorm-room version using a mini-fridge and a borrowed air fryer, captioning it, “First time ever nailing fried chicken—thank you, Ary!”

Beyond the views, Aryana’s real impact lives in her comment section, which feels like a support group for home cooks. People swap substitutions (almond milk for buttermilk, gluten-free flour blends), troubleshoot soggy batters, or post photos of their kids devouring the chicken with sauce on their cheeks. She regularly responds with voice notes, like when she reassured a nervous first-time cook, “Burnt edges happen! Just scrape the pan and start fresh.” During last year’s holiday rush, her “Stress-Free Thanksgiving” series—featuring make-ahead sides and a no-fail gravy tutorial—drew heartfelt thanks from single parents and solo apartment dwellers alike, proving her calm guidance cuts through the chaos of modern life.

Aryana, a 24-year-old former barista, started cooking videos during lockdown as a way to cope with isolation, never expecting her fried chicken obsession to resonate globally. She’s since kept things refreshingly low-key: partnering with kitchenware brands only when they align with her “no-junk” ethos (like her well-worn Lodge skillet), and avoiding sponsored posts that feel forced. Rumor has it she’s quietly working on a cookbook focused on pantry-staple comfort food, but for now, she’s just happy to see followers tag her in their #ChickenWin posts. In a feed full of chaos, Aryana’s corner of TikTok remains a warm, grease-splattered haven where perfection isn’t the goal—joy is.