KFC is opening its door to show fans how to make its perfectly crispy fried chicken at home. For 3000 lucky customers in the UK, they’ll learn the steps that go into creating its famous burgers and on-the-bone pieces of fried chicken. The only thing Colonel Sanders won’t be sharing… his secret blend of 11 herbs and spices.
Step 1 Prep, prep, prep
The first step is to get the right pieces of chicken for frying. KFC uses raw on-the-bone chicken thighs, drumsticks and wings, as well as rib and keel pieces in its buckets (although these are harder to come by in the supermarket). KFC fries up 2,000 pieces of chicken per restaurant every day but you’ll probably only need about four to six pieces per person.
Step 2 Mix your flour and spices
While KFC won’t be revealing its famous secret herb and spices blend (not even the staff know – it’s locked away in a secret vault in the US), you can use our not-so-secret blend. The spices are mixed into flour which coats the chicken and becomes the crispy batter.
Step 3 Batter up
KFC has a very specific way of coating its chicken. First, fill a large tray or bowl with the flour and spice mix, then toss the raw chicken through it.Next, scoop the flour underneath the chicken, then fold it over, so the mix really sticks to the chicken.
Step 4 Shake it off
Gently shake every piece of chicken to get rid of excess flour and spice mix. Next, tap two chicken pieces together, without letting the meat touch. To do this, knock your thumbs together while holding the chicken. If you’re frying drumsticks you’ll need to double coat them, then use KFC’s frying tip to make sure the skin is crispy: hold them at the base and twist the skin upwards to release any trapped air.
Step 5 Come on baby light by fry
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.
Craving KFC now? Try our version of KFC’s fried chicken.
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FAQs
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.
Why is the KFC recipe a secret? ›
The recipe is not patented, because patents are published in detail and come with an expiration date, whereas trade secrets can remain the intellectual property of their holders in perpetuity. KFC uses its Original Recipe as a means to differentiate its product from its competitors.
When did KFC introduce extra crispy chicken? ›
KFC introduced its own "Extra Crispy Chicken" in 1972.
Why is KFC fried chicken so good? ›
The Chicken Is Hand-Breaded To Maximize Freshness
Breading chicken by hand requires more time and effort, but the results are worth it. Simply put, when fried chicken is breaded in batches by hand at each location rather than mass-produced by machines in a factory elsewhere, it creates a fresher product for diners.
Does cornstarch make your chicken crispy? ›
My not-so-secret tip to the best fried chicken is a combination of FLOUR, CORNSTARCH, and BAKING POWDER. When mixed with the flour, the cornstarch makes the flour coating crispier and gives it that golden brown color! (It has to do with prevention of gluten development.)
What is the most unhealthy thing in KFC? ›
Worst: Extra Crispy
Here's where "crispy" is a code word for "steer clear." The extra crispy recipe is by far the least healthful of KFC's chicken options. A single breast will set you back 530 calories, 35 grams of fat, and 6 grams of saturated fat.
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 ...
Does Pepsi own KFC? ›
No. Taco Bell, along with Pizza Hut, KFC, and other restaurants was once owned by PepsiCo. This is why you still only see Pepsi brand beverages in those restaurants. In 1997, Pepsi's restaurant division was spun off and became Tricon Global Restaurants, then in 2002 rebranded as Yum!
Is KFC still Kentucky Fried Chicken? ›
KFC Corporation, doing business as KFC (also commonly referred to by its historical name Kentucky Fried Chicken), is an American fast food restaurant chain that specializes in fried chicken.
Who is KFC owned by? ›
Yum Brands Inc., is a restaurant company that owns quick-service chains Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC, as well as fast-casual brand The Habit Burger Grill. It is headquartered in Louisville, Ky.
Popeyes beats KFC at every level – flavor, presentation, and brand experience. It's easy to see why Popeyes is stealing market share from KFC. Popeyes, hands down, is giving consumers a better product than KFC, with the prices virtually the same on most menu items.
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 ...
Why is KFC so addicting? ›
KFC adds the infamous flavor-booster monosodium glutamate, or MSG, to dozens of items, as detailed on the company website. It also uses foods naturally high in effectively similar free glutamates, like chicken. MSG enhances salt taste and salt-taste pleasure while also triggering the brothy umami taste.
Is KFC chicken breaded or battered? ›
You won't be surprised to learn that at KFC, great tasting chicken matters. 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.
What is the secret to keeping fried chicken crispy? ›
To keep fried chicken crispy once you've prepared it, place it in the oven at an extremely low temperature until you're ready to serve. If you'd like to reheat fried leftover chicken, you just need to heat it in an oven to an extremely high temperature. This will allow the coating to dry while the chicken is warming.
What oil does KFC use to fry their chicken? ›
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 ...
