There’s just something about a secret recipe that drives people to extraordinary lengths to know its ingredients. Our Original Recipe of 11 Herbs and Spices is one of the most famous secret recipes in the world and we’re certainly aware of all the attempts to identify the exact recipe. Countless people around the world have claimed to have found or recreated the recipe and the latest attempts were broadcast just this week across the United Kingdom.
Snackmasters, hosted by Fred Sirieix (a popular local TV personality) on Channel 4, challenges Britain’s top chefs to try to work out the secret techniques and recipes behind some of Britain’s best-loved snacks, before creating their own replica. With a premise like that, it was only a matter of time before KFC and our secret recipe was featured!.
Tom Aikens from Muse in Belgravia, who is the youngest chef to ever receive two Michelin stars, and Alex Bond from Nottingham’s famous Alchemilla went up against the Colonel to try to find our hard-to-find mix of the 11 Herbs. The verdict? Well, given both Tom and Alex are Top Chefs, we’re sure their imitation recipes were delicious. Were they Original Recipe delicious though? Doubtful. In case you’re interested in taking a stab yourself, here is what they each came up with:
Kentucky Fried Chicken’s famous secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices has been closely guarded for decades. As a lover of fried chicken, I’ve always been fascinated by the mysterious blend of seasonings that makes KFC taste so finger-lickin’ good!
In this article, I’ll break down everything we know about the top-secret list of ingredients used to create the Colonel’s Original Recipe chicken. Get ready to unlock the secrets behind one of the world’s most legendary fast food recipes!
A Brief History of The Colonel’s Secret Recipe
The story begins back in 1930 when Harland Sanders opened a gas station in Corbin, Kentucky that was well-known for its fried chicken. At the time, it took 30 minutes to fry the chicken in a pan, so Sanders started experimenting with pressure cookers to reduce the cooking time.
By 1940, Sanders had perfected his blend of 11 herbs and spices and began selling “Kentucky Fried Chicken” to restaurants. To maintain secrecy of the recipe, he provided restaurants with premixed spices.
The recipe has been locked away in a vault at KFC headquarters since. Only two suppliers know half the recipe each, and no single person knows the full list! Pretty wild right?
What We Know About the 11 Secret Ingredients
While the full recipe remains a mystery, a few clues have leaked out over the years:
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Sanders once said the ingredients “stand on everybody’s shelf. Common spices from around the house seem to be in the mix!
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Chef Todd Wilbur claimed to have cracked the code. The spices he named were paprika, white pepper, celery salt, black pepper, thyme, basil, oregano, celery salt, mustard, and celery salt.
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A former Sanders friend hinted that tellicherry black pepper is key.
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One recipe online also includes baking powder as an ingredient to help achieve KFC’s signature crispy coating.
So while we don’t know the exact measurements, it seems the secret blend includes common spices like black pepper, thyme, oregano and garlic. Clever Colonel!
Why Keep The Recipe Secret?
You may be wondering why KFC keeps their signature recipe under lock and key. Well, a few reasons:
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It’s brilliant marketing! The mystery creates hype and keeps customers guessing.
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The recipe doesn’t go away like a patent would because it is a trade secret. KFC can legally protect it indefinitely.
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The secret formula helps differentiate KFC from competitors. No one can copy their signature flavor!
So while we may never know the exact recipe, keeping it secret has been a smart business move for KFC. After all, everyone loves a good mystery!
Replicating That Signature KFC Flavor
We can’t get the exact mix of 11 herbs and spices, but home cooks have found ways to get flavors that are close:
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Soak chicken in buttermilk overnight before dredging in flour seasoned with black pepper, thyme, oregano and paprika.
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Fry in oil around 350°F to get an extra crispy coating.
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Flavor the flour with onion powder, garlic powder, celery salt and cayenne for a spicy kick.
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For a quick weeknight dinner, broil chicken seasoned with a basic blend of salt, pepper, paprika and parsley.
With some experimentation at home, you can absolutely come close to mimicking the Colonel’s famous flavor. Get creative with your own herb and spice combinations!
The Secret’s Out!
While we may never know the exact measurements, we’ve uncovered quite a bit about the legendary 11 herbs and spices recipe. From clever marketing ploy to finger-lickin’ flavor, KFC’s secret recipe has made the chain famous across the globe. By following a few tricks using common household spices, we can come pretty close to replicating the Colonel’s signature flavors.
TOM AIKEN’S KFC INSPIRED CHICKEN RECIPE
- Salt
- Dried thyme leaves
- Dried basil leaves
- Dried oregano leaves
- Ground white pepper
- Chicken pieces of your choice
- Celery salt
- Black pepper
- Dried mustard
- Paprika
- Garlic salt
- Ground ginger
- Flour
- Dip chicken in salt water brine initially. The brine holds the flour together and packs the flavors in.
- Cover the drumsticks with the egg wash and buttermilk.
- Warm the oil to 175 degrees Celsius and fry small amounts of food for about 15 minutes.
► KFC’s Secret Recipe of 11 Herbs & Spices Finally Revealed? Homemade Kentucky Fried Chicken!
FAQ
Where is the secret recipe for the KFC chicken?
Recipes. Sanders has signed a copy of the recipe, which is kept in a vault at KFC’s headquarters in Louisville, along with 11 vials that each hold one of the ingredients.
What is KFC chicken coating made of?
KFC’s chicken coating primarily consists of a blend of flour, salt, and a mix of 11 herbs and spices. The exact recipe is kept secret, but black pepper, white pepper, paprika, and dried mustard are all known to be in it.
What are the 11 ingredients in Kentucky Fried Chicken?
Kentucky Air Fried Chicken; 11 secret herbs and spices, 1 tsp Salt, 1 tsp Black Pepper, 2 tsp White Pepper, 1 tsp Celery Salt, 1 tsp Dried Basil, 1 tsp Dried Thyme, 2 tsp Garlic Powder, 1 tsp Dried Oregano, 1 tsp Mustard Powder, 1 tbsp Paprika, 1 tsp Powdered Ginger, 1 tbsp Baking Powder.