Many people all over the world love fried chicken as a comfort food. There are a lot of fast food chains and restaurants that serve fried chicken, but KFC is one of the most well-known. The meat is crispy and juicy, and the coating is full of flavor. The world knows about their fried chicken recipe and secret mix of 11 herbs and spices.
Many home cooks have tried to crack the code on KFC’s technique to recreate that finger lickin’ good chicken. I’ll share tips tricks and a recipe to help you make KFC-style fried chicken at home. Keep reading to learn the secrets to crispy juicy and delicious fried chicken just like the Colonel makes it!
History of KFC Chicken
Colonel Harland Sanders opened his first restaurant in 1930 and through franchising it eventually grew into the KFC corporation. He used his secret blend of 11 herbs and spices to flavor the fried chicken and it became an immediate hit.
While the original recipe is a closely guarded secret, there have been a few supposed leaked versions over the years. Most include common spices and seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, oregano and more. While we may never know the exact blend of 11 herbs and spices, you can come close by experimenting!
How KFC Makes Their Fried Chicken
KFC’s cooking method is based on a few key points that make their chicken extra crispy and juicy:
-
Pressure fryers at KFC heat the oil to about 400°F, which is high temperature frying. This gives the chicken a crispy, crunchy exterior.
-
Breading technique – The chicken is breaded in a flour mixture, then dipped in egg wash, then again in the flour. This helps the coating stick and seals in moisture.
-
Chicken on the bone: Using chicken thighs and drumsticks with the bones still in them makes the food taste better.
-
“Holding” fried chicken – After frying, KFC transfers the chicken to a holding oven at low heat before serving.
How to Make KFC Style Fried Chicken at Home
The good news is that while you may not have commercial equipment, you can still make amazing fried chicken at home! Here are some tips:
-
Use a thermometer – Investing in a thermometer ensures the oil and chicken reach the proper temperature. Fry between 350-375°F. Chicken should reach 165°F internally.
-
Choose bone-in chicken – Go for bone-in thighs, drumsticks or split chicken breasts. The bones add moisture and flavor.
-
Bread properly – Dredge chicken in flour/spice mixture, dip in egg wash, then coat again in flour mixture. Let sit for 5-10 minutes before frying.
-
Fry in batches – Don’t crowd the pot. Fry chicken in batches of 2-3 pieces at a time.
-
Use a heavy pot or Dutch oven – Choose a heavy pan like cast iron or stainless steel to maintain even heat.
-
“Hold” the chicken – After frying, keep chicken warm in a 175°F oven for 5-10 minutes before serving.
How to Make KFC Coating
To nail the KFC flavor, it’s all about the coating! The seasoning blend is estimated to have 11 different spices. While the exact recipe remains a mystery, here are some spices commonly used in copycat versions:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Oregano
- Basil
- Thyme
- Celery salt
- Mustard powder
- Ground ginger
You can find many recipe variations online for KFC copycat coating. The spices can be combined in various amounts to suit your tastes. For a true KFC flavor, also incorporate MSG which helps replicate their signature flavor.
Start by combining the dry spices in a bowl. Then dredge the chicken in flour, dip in egg wash, then coat again in the flour mixture. Press the coating into the chicken so it adheres. Then fry until golden brown and crispy.
KFC Cooking Oil
Choosing the right oil is key to crispy fried foods. KFC uses vegetable oil with added beef tallow for frying their chicken. For homemade versions, I recommend peanut, vegetable or canola oil which have high smoke points.
The oil needs to maintain temperatures between 350-375°F. If oil drops below 325°F, the coating can become greasy. Use a thermometer and adjust heat to keep oil in this range.
KFC Marinade & Buttermilk
Some homemade recipes suggest marinating chicken in buttermilk before breading and frying. The tangy buttermilk helps break down proteins for more tender meat.
To make your own buttermilk, stir 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar into 1 cup milk. Let chicken thighs or drumsticks soak for 1-24 hours. Drain, discard marinade then bread and fry as usual. The acid in the buttermilk gives the chicken a noticeable tang and more flavor.
Best Fried Chicken Parts for KFC Style
KFC uses the whole chicken when frying their signature chicken on the bone. For homemade versions, these chicken pieces give the best results:
-
Chicken thighs – Thighs stay juicy and have lots of flavor from fat and skin. Bone-in and skin-on is best.
-
Drumsticks – These are a classic KFC order. The bones add moisture and flavor.
-
Split chicken breasts – Bone-in breasts allow the meat to retain moisture for juicy meat.
Choose larger, thicker pieces of chicken when frying. Avoid small pieces like wings which can overcook. Work with chicken that still has bones and skin for the ideal taste and texture.
KFC Sides
No fried chicken meal is complete without some classic Southern-inspired sides like:
- Coleslaw
- Mashed potatoes
- Gravy
- Mac and cheese
- Biscuits
- Corn
- Mashed potatoes
- Baked beans
Or for a lighter side, enjoy fried chicken tenders or nuggets with ranch dressing and fresh veggies. Recreate the full KFC menu at home by pairing your homemade fried chicken with delicious down-home sides.
Tips for Leftover KFC Style Fried Chicken
Fried chicken keeps well for 4-5 days refrigerated and can be frozen for 2-3 months. Reheat it in the oven or toaster oven to help maintain the crispy coating. An air fryer also does a great job of reheating fried chicken without drying it out.
Be sure to let refrigerated chicken come to room temperature before reheating. This prevents excess moisture loss. And reheat your fried chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it is hot throughout.
With a few tricks like brining, proper breading technique and frying at the right temperature, you can absolutely make KFC-caliber fried chicken from your own kitchen. While the secret 11 herbs and spices blend remains a mystery, use spices you enjoy to create a flavorful seasoned coating. With crispy and juicy boneless or bone-in fried chicken, flavorful sides and dipping sauces, you’ll feel like the Colonel is cooking right in your own kitchen.
Community Q&ASearch
- What kind of oil does KFC use? wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer: This answer was written by one of our trained researchers, who made sure it was correct and covered all the bases. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer: KFC’s website says that their food is cooked in canola oil and hydrogenated soybean oil that has citric acid and TBHQ (a preservative).
- What are the Colonel’s 11 herbs and spices? wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer: This answer was written by one of our trained researchers, who made sure it was correct and complete. The 11 herbs and spices were recently named in an article in the Chicago Tribune. They are salt, thyme, basil, oregano, celery salt, black pepper, dried mustard, paprika, garlic salt, ground ginger, and white pepper.
- Does KFC pressure cook their fried chicken? wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer: This answer was written by one of our trained researchers, who made sure it was correct and covered all the bases. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer: KFC uses special pressure fryers made for businesses. These are not the same kind of pressure cookers that most people have in their kitchens, though. It will be easier to follow the recipe if you use a Dutch oven or deep fryer.
- Always use great care when working with hot oil. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 0 .
- Do not discard the hot oil down the drain. Pour it into a metal can instead. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 0 .
Advertisement
StepsPart
- 1. Use a food processor to grind all the spices into small pieces. You can use this with your kosher salt, celery salt, garlic salt, dried herbs, ground black and white pepper, dried mustard, and paprika. Pulse the ingredients over and over until the herbs are all the same size and broken up. It tastes more real if you add 1/2 teaspoon of Accent Seasoning (MSG) for every pound (0. 45 kg) of chicken. MSG is a flavor enhancer, but its not very healthy. If you can’t find thyme or oregano, try marjoram and sage. [2] .
- 2 Whisk the spice blend into the flour. Put the flour in a large bowl, and then add the spice mix. Whisk the ingredients together until everything is combined. Set the bowl aside for later. [3] [4] Youll be placing your chicken pieces in this. At least one chicken breast or thigh should fit in the bowl. Advertisement .
- 3 Beat the egg and buttermilk in a separate bowl. Do not put them in the bowl with the flour and spice mix. Instead, crack the egg open in a different bowl and add the buttermilk. Mix the two things together with a whisk until the egg yolk is broken up and there are no more streaks. Fifth, make sure the bowl is deep enough to hold all of your chicken pieces.
Advertisement Part
How To Make KFC Fried Chicken / Recipe Secret Revealed
FAQ
How is KFC chicken made?
KFC chicken is made by first inspecting fresh chicken, then marinating it in a secret blend of 11 herbs and spices.
What is the main ingredient in KFC chicken?
Original Recipe® Chicken Fresh chicken. Breaded in: Wheat flour, Salt, Monosodium glutamate, Spices, Dehydrated garlic, Modified milk ingredients, Dried egg white (Egg white, Baker’s yeast, Citric acid). Cooked in: Canola oil (Dimethylpolysiloxane (Antifoaming agent), TBHQ). Contains: Wheat, Milk, Egg.
Does KFC fry their chicken or bake it?
For their extra tasty and crispy style of chicken, they just deep fry it. But for their original recipe chicken, they use a special kind of pressure cooker.