Fried chicken is a classic comfort food that people all over love. The crispy, juicy meat with a flavorful seasoned coating is hard to resist! While there are plenty of fast food chains and restaurants that serve up fried chicken, KFC is one of the most popular. Their secret blend of 11 herbs and spices and fried chicken recipe has made them famous worldwide.
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
There are a few keys to KFC’s cooking method that make their chicken extra crispy and juicy:
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High temperature frying – KFC uses pressure fryers that heat the oil to around 400°F. This gives the chicken a crispy, crunchy exterior.
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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.
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Cooking chicken on the bone – Using bone-in chicken pieces like thighs and drumsticks adds flavor.
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“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:
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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.
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Choose bone-in chicken – Go for bone-in thighs, drumsticks or split chicken breasts. The bones add moisture and flavor.
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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.
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Fry in batches – Don’t crowd the pot. Fry chicken in batches of 2-3 pieces at a time.
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Use a heavy pot or Dutch oven – Choose a heavy pan like cast iron or stainless steel to maintain even heat.
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“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:
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Chicken thighs – Thighs stay juicy and have lots of flavor from fat and skin. Bone-in and skin-on is best.
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Drumsticks – These are a classic KFC order. The bones add moisture and flavor.
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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
- Question What kind of oil does KFC use?
wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer According to the KFC website, their products are cooked in canola oil and hydrogenated soybean oil containing TBHQ (a preservative) and citric acid. - Question What are the Colonel’s 11 herbs and spices? wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer According to an article published in the Chicago Tribune, the 11 herbs and spices were recently revealed to be salt, thyme, basil, oregano, celery salt, black pepper, dried mustard, paprika, garlic salt, ground ginger, and white pepper.
- Question Does KFC pressure cook their fried chicken? wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer KFC uses special industrial pressure fryers. These are different from the type of pressure cooker most people have in their home kitchen, however. You’ll have an easier time recreating the recipe in a deep fryer or Dutch oven.
- 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
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StepsPart
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1 Blend all of the spices in a food processor until theyre all the same size. This includes your celery salt, garlic salt, and kosher salt, as well as your dried herbs, ground black and white pepper, dried mustard, and paprika. Keep pulsing the ingredients until the herbs are broken up and the same size.[1]
- For a more authentic flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon of Accent Seasoning (MSG) for every 1 pound (0.45 kg) of chicken. MSG is a flavor enhancer, but its not very healthy.
- If you cant find oregano or thyme, try marjoram and sage instead.[2]
- 2 Whisk the spice blend into the flour. Pour the flour into a large dish, then add the spice blend. Whisk the ingredients together until everything is combined. Set the bowl aside for later.[3] [4]
- Youll be placing your chicken pieces in this. The bowl should be big enough to fit at least 1 chicken breast or 1 chicken thigh.
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- 3 Beat the egg and buttermilk in a separate bowl. Do not add them to the bowl with the flour and spiced blend. Instead, crack the egg open into a different bowl, then add the buttermilk. Whisk the 2 ingredients together until the yolk has broken up and no streaks remain.[5] [6]
- Make sure that the bowl is deep enough to submerge all of your chicken pieces.
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How To Make KFC Fried Chicken / Recipe Secret Revealed
FAQ
How is KFC chicken made?
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?
Their extra tasty crispy style of chicken is just plain deep fried, but they have a special type of pressure cooker for their original recipe chicken.