Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe (2024)

Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe (1)

Jump to Recipe

The Best KFC fried chicken recipe

Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe (2)

Ok, I know saying that this is the best KFC fried chicken recipe on the internet is a bold statement. But honestly, I know what I’m talking about!

A few years ago, I visited KFC headquarters and got an excellent inside look at their ingredients and processes.

I learned how fresh all their ingredients are, talked to chefs and food scientist, and got to see how they make their chicken.

I even made a video that’s proven to be very popular on YouTube: How KFC fried chicken is made.

Did you watch it? It currently has over 500,000 views! Watch it to check out the authentic KFC chicken frying technique!

What’s in the KFC secret recipe?

Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe (3)

Here’s the truth about the real KFC original fried chicken secret recipe: there are only a few people who know it. It’s locked in a vault.

Even the people who put together the actual KFC breading mix don’t know what’s in it. Some of the ingredients in the recipe come from one location, and some ingredients come from a second location.

All of the ingredients are combined at a third location, meaning no single worker has his or her hands on all the ingredients that make up KFC’s 11 secret herbs and spices.

That’s an interesting process, but it’s pretty cool to know that the brand puts a lot of value on its secret recipe.

The 11 herbs and spices in the KFC fried chicken recipe

Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe (4)

A quick search reveals far more than 11 herbs and spices in KFC fried chicken. One recipe included ground vanilla bean. Another called for ground cardamom.

One of the recipes I looked at had a quarter cup of pepper AND a quarter cup of paprika!

One weird KFC fried chicken copycat recipe clearly stated that the 11 secret herbs and spices was a myth, and that there were only four ingredients in the entire recipe (salt, pepper, flour and MSG).

I honestly couldn’t get on board with any of those KFC copycat recipes.

One taste of KFC fried chicken and you know it’s seasoned with more than just salt and pepper. And vanilla? Cardamom? I had my doubts.

Should you soak chicken before breading it?

Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe (5)

Another inconsistency with all the KFC copycat recipes out there is what to do with the chicken before you bread it and fry it.

A few recipes I found didn’t instruct you to do anything with the chicken. Just get it coated and into the fryer.

But real chicken from KFC is juicy and flavorful on the inside. It’s more than just a delicious coating on the outside.

I came across a few recipes that said to brine the chicken in a spiced and salted water bath to infuse it with flavor.

This is definitely a tried and tested method for making excellent chicken. It’s just not the best possible way to make your KFC fried chicken recipe.

The most authentic recipes said to soak all the chicken pieces in a buttermilk mixture for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours before moving on to the seasoning and cooking.

Why soak the chicken in buttermilk?

I didn’t know why chicken marinated in buttermilk produced such good flavor, but this forum helped answer my question.

The high amount of lactic acid in buttermilk tenderizes the chicken meat, while the milk fat infuses flavor into the chicken.

Now that you know the background and a few different possibilities for some of the ingredients in KFC’s fried chicken, it’s time to get to the recipe!

Cooking tips for this KFC fried chicken recipe

I have a few tips and notes that you should definitely pay attention to before making this KFC fried chicken recipe.

Choosing your chicken for deep frying

Some people place a lot of importance on various pieces of fryer chicken.

If you do, you probably already know that legs and wings cook much faster than chicken breasts and thighs.

Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe (6)

Instead of cooking a whole chicken or a variety of parts, I’ve found it much easier to make batches of any kind of chicken (not just this KFC recipe) using the same cut of chicken for all the pieces.

Knowing that they all cook at the same pace helps me be more efficient in the kitchen.

If I’m just feeding my husband and kids chicken I usually cook all drumsticks. They’re the easiest for my kids to eat!

Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe (7)

Deep frying this KFC fried chicken

KFC fried chicken made in actual restaurants is cooked in an industrial pressure fryer.

The average person doesn’t own one, so your cooking method won’t be identical to how KFC makes their fried chicken.

Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe (8)

A tabletop deep fryer is the most controlled way to deep fry at home, but make sure you have one big enough to fry more than two or three pieces of chicken at a time. This deep fryer is the right size with excellent reviews.

Deep frying chicken without a deep fryer? If you’re not up to owning a deep fryer, you can use a heavy pot on the stove, especially if you’re frying smaller pieces.

I’ve seen some huge chicken breasts and really plump chicken thighs in the grocery store, so make sure the sizes will fit in your pan of choice.

If you do some research on deep frying on a stove, you’ll hardly see any recommendations for using anything other than a frying pan.

I find this strange–I wish more people would suggest deep frying in dutch ovens. Using a deep pot minimizes splatters, which is a big deal where I’m concerned.

Plus, there are a million uses for a heavy dutch oven. If you have one you’ll use is for far more than just one fried chicken recipe!

Here are three different pans that would be excellent for deep frying chicken, along with cooking lots of other items:

Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe (9)Lodge Cast Iron Covered Chicken Fryer, 3-QuartCopycat KFC Chicken Recipe (10)Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe (11)Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, 6-QuartCopycat KFC Chicken Recipe (12)Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe (13)Cooks Standard Hard Anodized Deep Saute Pan, 5-QuartCopycat KFC Chicken Recipe (14)

Oil for frying KFC fried chicken

Choosing your oil for deep frying anything can be confusing – there are so many options!

Peanut oil: If you’re new to deep frying try to use peanut oil. It’s nearly flavorless and it burns at a higher temperature than most other oils.

Vegetable shortening (Crisco): You don’t have to tell me how bad shortening is for you. I swear, I already know! But I once heard you should cook with the ingredients your grandmother used. Well, my grandma used Crisco when she did her deep frying 🙂

If you only deep fry once in a blue moon then Crisco is a great option. If you’re deep frying on a regular basis, you should probably use canola oil or grapeseed oil. Or get an air fryer.

Canola oil: This is another good choice for deep frying chicken.

Kitchen tools for making this KFC fried chicken recipe

If you’re not experienced at deep frying, make sure you have these two important kitchen tools ready to use before you even start heating up your oil:

  1. A thermometer. I like an instant read thermometer with a probe. The probe can be used to check the temperature of your oil. It can also be inserted into meat to ensure you’re not eating raw chicken.
  2. Heatproof tongs: Make sure your tongs have parts of the handle that aren’t metal so they don’t heat up too quickly. Also be sure that the business end of the tongs can withstand high temperatures. These tongs are heat resistant up to 600 degrees.

Other kitchen tools that will make your deep frying experience easier include:

  • A baking sheet
  • Paper towels (to line the baking sheet)
  • Wire cooling rack (to put over the paper towels
  • A skimmer to gently scoop chicken out of the oil if the tongs are tearing the coating.
  • A splatter guard to put over your pot or pan to protect yourself from hot oil.
  • A meat thermometer to make sure your chicken is cooked without cutting into it.

Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe (15)Instant Read Meat ThermometerCopycat KFC Chicken Recipe (16)Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe (17)OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Tongs with Black Silicone HeadsCopycat KFC Chicken Recipe (18)Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe (19)Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker’s Sheet PanCopycat KFC Chicken Recipe (20)Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe (21)Baker’s Secret Cooling RackCopycat KFC Chicken Recipe (22)Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe (23)Premium Splatter GuardCopycat KFC Chicken Recipe (24)Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe (25)Bounty Select-a-Size Paper TowelsCopycat KFC Chicken Recipe (26)

Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe (27)

KFC fried chicken recipe

KFC fried chicken recipe ingredients

There are a few steps to making this, so I’m breaking up the ingredients into sections. I’m hoping that makes the KFC fried chicken recipe easier to follow.

You’ll find the full measurements and notes for the ingredients in a handy printable card at the end of this article.

Use this list to make sure you have everything before you start making the recipe.

KFC fried chicken recipe ingredients for the buttermilk marinade

  • 1 fresh roasting chicken, cut OR 3-5 pounds bone-in chicken
  • buttermilk (I like to keep buttermilk powder in my freezer for occasional use)
  • eggs

KFC fried chicken recipe ingredients for the 11 herbs and spices

  • all-purpose flour
  • salt
  • dried thyme
  • dried basil
  • dried oregano
  • celery salt
  • black pepper
  • white pepper
  • dried mustard
  • paprika
  • garlic powder
  • ground ginger

KFC fried chicken recipe ingredients for frying the chicken

  • Peanut oil, vegetable shortening or canola oil. See the above section onOils for frying your KFC fried chickenfor more details.

Optional ingredients for seasoning the KFC chicken after it’s cooked

KFC fried chicken recipe directions

Mix the buttermilk with the beaten eggs in a deep container. Let the chicken marinate in the buttermilk for at least 30 minutes.

Line a baking sheet with several layers of paper towels. Set your wire rack on top of the sheet.

Combine the 2 cups of flour with the 11 herbs and spices in a big bowl or deep container. Use a whisk or a sifter to make sure it’s all evenly distributed.

Drain as much of the marinade as you can.

Toss the chicken in the flour, herb and spice mixture until it’s all evenly coated.

Heat your oil to 315°- 325° and fry the chicken in small batches (2-4 pieces at a time, depending on the size of your pot or fryer).

Breast and wings take 12-14 minutes, legs and thighs take a bit longer. Flip the chicken pieces halfway through the frying process.

Use your meat thermometer – your chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat when it reaches 165° F.

Place the chicken on the wire rack to cool enough to touch. Sprinkle lightly with Accent flavor enhancer, salt and pepper to taste.

Serve hot or cold, depending on your preference.

Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe (28)

Watch my KFC fried chicken video here:

Have you made your own KFC fried chicken before? I’d love to hear if your recipe is different than mine!

Yield: 6 people

KFC Fried Chicken

Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe (29)

Saying that this is the best KFC fried chicken recipe on the internet is a bold statement, but I know what I'm talking about! The marinade, the herbs, the spices. This is the whole copycat recipe with detailed directions right here.

Prep Time45 minutes

Cook Time15 minutes

Additional Time2 minutes

Total Time1 hour 2 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3-5 pounds bone-in chicken
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 cups of all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon celery salt
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoons white pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried mustard
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • Oil for frying
  • Accent flavor enhancer, optional
  • Salt and pepper to taste, optional

Instructions

  1. Mix the buttermilk with the beaten eggs in a deep container. Let the chicken marinate in the buttermilk for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Line a baking sheet with several layers of paper towels. Set your wire rack on top of the sheet.
  3. Combine the 2 cups of flour with the 11 herbs and spices in a big bowl or deep container. Use a whisk or a sifter to make sure it's all evenly distributed.
  4. Drain as much of the marinade as you can.
  5. Toss the chicken in the flour, herb and spice mixture until it's all evenly coated.
  6. Heat your oil to 315°- 325° F
  7. Fry the chicken in small batches (2-4 pieces at a time, depending on the size of your pot or fryer). Breast and wings take 12-14 minutes, legs and thighs take a bit longer. Flip the chicken pieces halfway through the frying process.
  8. Use your meat thermometer – your chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat when it reaches 165° F.
  9. Place the chicken on the wire rack to cool enough to touch. Sprinkle lightly with Accent flavor enhancer, salt and pepper to taste.
  10. Serve hot or cold, depending on your preference.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 1096Total Fat: 55gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 35gCholesterol: 421mgSodium: 1821mgCarbohydrates: 43gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gProtein: 101g

Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is KFC chicken coating made of? ›

Copycat KFC Original Recipe Chicken EXACTLY how the Colonel makes it 🔥 Secret Herb & Spice Mix: - 2.5 cups of flour - 2 teaspoons of Salt - 3 teaspoons of Paprika - 2 teaspoons of Dried Mustard - 2 teaspoons of Garlic Powder - 1.5 teaspoons of Onion Powder - 1 teaspoon of Dried Thyme - 1 teaspoon of Dried Basil - 1 ...

What is the recipe for Colonel Sanders fried chicken? ›

ingredients
  1. 2 packages dried Italian salad dressing mix.
  2. 3 tablespoons flour.
  3. 2 teaspoons salt.
  4. 1 dash black pepper.
  5. 14 cup lemon juice.
  6. 2 tablespoons vegetable oil.
  7. 2 12 - 3 lbs broiler-fryer chicken pieces.
  8. 2 cups carbonated soda water.

What makes KFC so crispy? ›

KFC's Fried Chicken Secret Ingredient

To really nail the traditional flavor of Kentucky Fried Chicken, it's all about their 11-spice seasoning blend. But according to Ron Douglas, author of America's Most Wanted Recipes, the real key to the perfect crispy texture is monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Why is KFC chicken so tasty? ›

KFC Uses A Special Signature Blend Of Herbs And Spices

A big part of what makes KFC's chicken so tasty is its highly coveted blend of herbs and spices. The restaurant's chicken is savory and herbaceous with lingering notes of pepper. The flavoring is simple but it hits all the right notes.

Is KFC battered or breaded? ›

Our iconic fried chicken is freshly prepared and hand-breaded by our trained cooks in restaurant every single day, using the type of ingredients you'd find in your kitchen at home.

Is it better to use buttermilk or eggs for fried chicken? ›

A perfectly fried chicken cutlet, pork chop, fish filet, or other protein can be among the tastiest centerpieces of a hearty meal.

Why do you put baking soda in fried chicken? ›

A sugar and salt-spiked whole-milk brine makes this chicken sweet and juicy; a mixture of buttermilk, flour, baking powder, and baking soda yields an extra-crisp crust. Crunchy, juicy fried chicken is the ultimate comfort food.

Does KFC use egg in their breading? ›

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.

How does KFC get their chicken so tender? ›

Pressure fryers allow the exterior of the chicken to get extra crispy, yet at the same time, it also creates meat that's ultra juicy and succulent inside. Pressure fryers can also fry chicken extremely fast, which allows KFC to cook big batches to keep up with customer demand.

What oil does KFC fry their chicken in? ›

KFC products are fried in oil which may contain the following: Canola Oil and Hydrogenated Soybean Oil with TBHQ and Citric Acid Added To Protect Flavor, Dimethylpolysiloxane, an Antifoaming Agent Added OR Low Linolenic Soybean Oil, TBHQ and Citric Acid Added To Protect Flavor, Dimethylpolysiloxane, an Antifoaming ...

Does KFC fry or bake their chicken? ›

If you're a healthy eater, look away now. KFC deep fries its chicken for 15 minutes and then drains the oil off for another five minutes – 20 minutes in total. If you don't have a deep fryer, heat up plenty of oil in a large saucepan and do it that way.

What makes chicken crispy, baking soda or baking powder? ›

It may sounds unappealing, but coating chicken wings in seasoned baking powder is what makes the skin super crispy. You won't taste it in the end results, so long as you use aluminium-free. To be clear, make sure you use baking powder, NOT baking soda, because there is a big difference!

What is fried chicken coating made of? ›

Fried chicken tastes fantastic with a batter or a flour coating. It's simply a matter of preference. Flour coatings like the one used in this fried chicken recipe combine flour with spices, and they sometimes add cornstarch or baking powder to the mix.

Is Kentucky Fried Chicken fried in oil? ›

KFC products are fried in oil which may contain the following: Canola Oil and Hydrogenated Soybean Oil with TBHQ and Citric Acid Added To Protect Flavor, Dimethylpolysiloxane, an Antifoaming Agent Added OR Low Linolenic Soybean Oil, TBHQ and Citric Acid Added To Protect Flavor, Dimethylpolysiloxane, an Antifoaming ...

What is the white stuff on KFC chicken? ›

The white stringy parts in chicken breasts are tendons.

Tendons are strong connective tissue made primarily of collagen and they attach the meat to the bone. Because connective tissues have to work to pull the bones when muscles contract, they have to be incredibly tough to withstand all that motion.

What is the red liquid in fried chicken? ›

The protein myoglobin is “one of the transportation vehicles that moves oxygen” around the body, Goldwyn says. It mixes with water to form “myowater,” which is the pink-hued liquid — it's not blood!

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Terence Hammes MD

Last Updated:

Views: 6065

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Terence Hammes MD

Birthday: 1992-04-11

Address: Suite 408 9446 Mercy Mews, West Roxie, CT 04904

Phone: +50312511349175

Job: Product Consulting Liaison

Hobby: Jogging, Motor sports, Nordic skating, Jigsaw puzzles, Bird watching, Nordic skating, Sculpting

Introduction: My name is Terence Hammes MD, I am a inexpensive, energetic, jolly, faithful, cheerful, proud, rich person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.