If you’ve ever bitten into a piece of KFC fried chicken, you know it’s a perfect blend of crispy, juicy, and bursting with flavor. The secret lies in the unique blend of 11 herbs and spices and the special frying technique. But what if you could recreate that iconic taste right in your own kitchen? Let’s dive into how you can make KFC fried chicken at home, step-by-step, with a friendly and easy-to-follow approach.
The Magic Behind KFC Fried Chicken
KFC, or Kentucky Fried Chicken, was founded by Colonel Harland Sanders during the Great Depression. The brand’s signature is its pressure-fried chicken seasoned with a secret blend of 11 herbs and spices, which has remained a closely guarded secret for decades. The chicken is known for its crispy coating and juicy interior, often served in a bucket that’s become a symbol of comfort food worldwide.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To get that authentic KFC flavor, here’s what you’ll gather:
– Chicken: A whole chicken cut into 8 pieces (breasts, thighs, legs, and wings) with skin on.
– Buttermilk: For marinating and tenderizing the chicken.
– Flour: All-purpose flour as the base for the breading.
– Herbs & Spices: The famous 11 herbs and spices include salt, thyme, basil, oregano, celery salt, black pepper, dry mustard powder, paprika, garlic salt, ground ginger, and white pepper.
– Egg: For binding the marinade and coating.
– Oil: Vegetable shortening or canola oil for frying (high smoke point oils work best).
Step 1: Brine the Chicken for Juiciness
Start by cleaning your chicken pieces. Then prepare a brine by mixing salt, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon peel in cold water. Submerge the chicken in this mixture and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. This step helps keep the chicken juicy and flavorful.
Step 2: Prepare the Seasoned Flour
In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour and cornstarch with the 11 herbs and spices plus a bit of baking powder. Mix thoroughly to create your seasoned flour. This coating is what gives the chicken its legendary crispy crust.
Step 3: Marinate the Chicken in Buttermilk
Whisk together buttermilk and a beaten egg in a large bowl. Soak the chicken pieces in this mixture for about 30 minutes. The buttermilk tenderizes the chicken and helps the flour coating stick better during frying.
Step 4: Coat the Chicken
Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, letting the excess drip off. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing the flour onto the chicken to ensure a good coating. Shake off any excess flour and place the coated pieces on a wire rack. Let them rest for about 15 minutes to help the coating set.
Step 5: Frying to Perfection
Heat your oil or vegetable shortening to 350°F (175°C) in a deep fryer or a heavy Dutch oven. If using a Dutch oven, a thermometer is essential to maintain the right temperature.
Carefully place the chicken pieces in the hot oil in batches—avoid overcrowding to keep the oil temperature steady. Fry the wings and drumsticks for about 12-13 minutes and the breasts and thighs for 15-18 minutes. Cover the pot for the first 7 minutes of frying to trap heat and moisture, then uncover and flip the chicken to crisp all sides evenly.
Once golden brown and cooked through, transfer the chicken to a wire rack over a baking sheet to drain excess oil.
Tips for the Best Homemade KFC Fried Chicken
– Use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces for the juiciest results.
– Keep the oil temperature steady—too low and the coating will be greasy; too high and the chicken might burn outside but stay raw inside.
– Rest the coated chicken before frying to help the breading stick better.
– Use a wire rack to drain instead of paper towels to keep the crust crispy.
– Don’t skip the brine or buttermilk soak; these steps are key to tender, flavorful chicken.
Why Pressure Frying Makes a Difference
KFC uses a pressure fryer that cooks chicken faster at lower oil temperatures, sealing in moisture and flavor while keeping the chicken less greasy. While most home cooks don’t have pressure fryers, using a deep fryer or Dutch oven with careful temperature control can come close to replicating the texture and juiciness.
Variations and Serving Ideas
If you want to avoid deep frying, you can try oven-frying a KFC-style chicken for a healthier twist, which still delivers a crunchy crust and juicy meat. Serve your homemade KFC chicken with classic sides like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or biscuits for a full comfort meal.
Making KFC fried chicken at home is a rewarding experience that fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas and delivers that crispy, juicy bite everyone loves. With the right ingredients, a bit of patience, and these simple steps, you can enjoy finger-lickin’ good chicken anytime you want.
Enjoy your homemade KFC fried chicken feast!