Homemade KFC Chicken

📝 Recipe Description

This Homemade KFC-style fried chicken brings the iconic flavor of the fast-food classic right into your kitchen. Featuring a secret blend of 11 herbs and spices, the chicken is marinated in buttermilk, then double-dredged and fried to golden, crispy perfection. Juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside — it’s finger-lickin’ good!

🧂 Ingredients for Homemade KFC Chicken

• 8 pieces bone-in chicken (drumsticks, thighs, or mix)

• 2 cups buttermilk

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp paprika (optional)

🔸 For the Seasoned Flour:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp salt

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• 1 tsp dried basil

• 1 tsp oregano

• 1 tbsp celery salt

• 1 tbsp black pepper

• 1 tbsp dried mustard

• 4 tbsp paprika

• 2 tsp garlic salt

• 1 tsp ground ginger

• 3 tsp white pepper

🔸 For Frying:

• Vegetable oil (for deep frying)

🍳 Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken

• In a large bowl, combine buttermilk, salt, pepper, and paprika.

• Add chicken pieces, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight for best results).

2. Prepare the Seasoned Flour

• In another bowl, whisk together all the ingredients listed under “seasoned flour” to mimic KFC’s secret blend.

3. Dredge the Chicken

• Remove chicken from the buttermilk marinade, allowing excess to drip off.

• Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour. Press the flour into the chicken well.

• For extra crunch: Dip back into buttermilk and dredge again in flour.

4. Fry the Chicken

• Heat oil to 325°F (163°C) in a deep fryer or large heavy pot.

• Fry chicken in batches (do not overcrowd) for 12–15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).

• Drain on a wire rack or paper towels.

📌 Notes

• White pepper is key to achieving the KFC-like flavor — don’t skip it!

• Use a thermometer to monitor oil temperature for even frying.

• Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before serving to retain juiciness.

💡 Tips

• Marinating overnight tenderizes the meat and enhances flavor.

• Double-dipping (marinade → flour → marinade → flour) makes it ultra crispy.

• Use a mix of dark and white meat for variety in texture and taste.

• Serve with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or biscuits for the full KFC experience.

🍽️ Servings

Serves: 4
(2 pieces of chicken per person)

🔬 Nutritional Info (Per Serving, Approximate)

• Calories: 600–750 kcal

• Protein: 35g

• Fat: 40g

• Carbs: 35g

• Fiber: 2g

• Sodium: 1000mg

• Cholesterol: 110mg

✅ Benefits

• Homemade control: Skip preservatives and control the oil and salt levels.

• Customizable spice blend to your taste.

• Cost-effective compared to fast food.

• Family-friendly & fun to make for weekend meals or parties.

❓ Q&A

❔ Can I bake instead of fry?

Yes, but it won’t have the same crunch. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 40–45 minutes after spraying chicken with oil.

❔ Can I make it gluten-free?

Yes, use a gluten-free flour blend and make sure your spices are certified GF.

❔ How long can leftovers last?

Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to crisp up again.

❔ Can I use boneless chicken?

Yes, but reduce cooking time to avoid drying out — about 7–9 minutes for boneless thighs.