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Kentucky Fried Chicken Recipe

Homemade KFC Fried Chicken Recipe

Recreate the legendary taste of Kentucky Fried Chicken right at home using this crispy, juicy, 11-herb-and-spice copycat recipe. Perfect for family dinners, food lovers, or anyone craving comfort food with nostalgic flavor.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 People
Course: Comfort Food, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 460

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups All-purpose flour
  • whole Chicken
  • cup Buttermilk
  • Egg
  • Canola oil or lard
  • 2/3 tbsp Salt
  • 1/2 tbsp Thyme
  • 1/2 tbsp Basil
  • 1/3 tbsp Oregano
  • tbsp Celery salt
  • tbsp Black pepper
  • tbsp Dried mustard
  • 4 tbsp Paprika
  • tbsp Garlic salt
  • tbsp Ground ginger
  • 3 tbsp White pepper

Equipment

  • Large bowl
  • Wire rack
  • Deep fryer or heavy pot
  • Cooking thermometer
  • Tongs

Method
 

  1. Marinate the Chicken Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl. Pour in the buttermilk and let them soak for at least 4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
  2. Prepare the Spice Mix In a separate large bowl, combine all the herbs, spices, and flour. Mix thoroughly to create your seasoned dredge.
  3. Dip and Dredge Beat one egg into the remaining buttermilk. Dip each piece of marinated chicken into the mixture, then dredge it in the seasoned flour until fully coated.
  4. Let It Rest Place the coated chicken on a wire rack. Let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes to allow the coating to set.
  5. Heat the Oil In a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot, heat oil to 340°F (170°C). Use a thermometer to monitor temperature.
  6. Fry the Chicken Carefully place 2–3 pieces into the hot oil at a time. Fry each piece for 15–18 minutes, turning once, until the crust is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. Drain and Serve Remove chicken and drain on a clean wire rack or paper towels. Let it rest a few minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For extra crispiness, double dredge the chicken by dipping it in buttermilk and flour mix twice.
  • White pepper is key—don’t skip it if you want that authentic KFC aftertaste.
  • This recipe works great with boneless tenders too—just reduce frying time.
  • Always check internal temperature with a thermometer for food safety.