How to Make KFC-Style Fried Chicken at Home

KFC, short for Kentucky Fried Chicken, is arguably one of the most widely recognized fast food chains globally. The delicious, crispy fried chicken is loved by millions of people around the world. As a result, many have tried and failed to come up with a recipe that closely mimics KFC’s famous fried chicken. However, with the right ingredients and methods, you too can make KFC-style chicken in the comfort of your own home.

Before we dive into the process of making KFC-style chicken, it’s essential to note that the recipe is a closely guarded secret. Therefore, any recipe you come across is an approximation. The key to making KFC-style chicken lies in the seasoning and the cooking process. If you follow the steps correctly, you’ll be able to make a mouth-watering chicken that tastes just like the real thing. Here’s how to do it.

Section: How to Make KFC-Style Fried Chicken at Home

1. Gather Your Ingredients

To make KFC-style fried chicken, you will need bone-in chicken pieces, all-purpose flour, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, buttermilk, and vegetable oil for frying. It is essential to use fresh chicken, and it is better to use skin-on chicken for the ultimate crunch.

2. Brine the Chicken

Brining the chicken before cooking ensures that it will be moist and flavorful. Place the chicken in a large bowl, add enough water to cover it, and mix in salt and sugar. Allow it to soak for at least two hours in the fridge.

3. Create the Breading Station

Set up a workstation with three separate bowls. In one bowl, mix the flour, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. In another bowl, pour in buttermilk. The third bowl should be empty and available for the coated chicken pieces.

4. Dip the Chicken in Buttermilk and Flour

Dip the chicken pieces, one at a time, in the buttermilk, and then into the flour mixture. Press the flour mixture onto the chicken pieces, ensuring that they are well coated.

5. Rest the Chicken

Once the chicken is coated, allow it to rest on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes. This step helps the flour mixture adhere to the chicken pieces and reduces the chances of the breading falling off during frying.

6. Start Frying

In a large, heavy pot, heat the vegetable oil to 350°F. Gently place the chicken pieces into the oil, skin side down, without overcrowding the pot. Fry the chicken pieces for 9-10 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through.

7. Drain and Rest

Remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a wire rack to drain off any excess oil. Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving to ensure that the chicken is cooked properly and the coating is crispy.

8. Serve and Enjoy

KFC-style fried chicken tastes best when served hot and fresh. Serve it with your favorite dipping sauces, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, or french fries, and enjoy!

9. Tips and Tricks

To make your fried chicken extra crispy, try double-dipping the chicken pieces in the buttermilk and flour mixtures. You can also add different spices and herbs to the flour mixture to enhance the flavor.

10. Final Thoughts

Making KFC-style fried chicken at home might seem overwhelming, but by following these simple steps, you can achieve a delicious and crispy fried chicken that is sure to impress. Experiment with different spices, cooking times, and techniques, and make it your own. Happy cooking!

Section 2: Tips and Tricks for Making Perfect KFC Chicken at Home

If you’re serious about making KFC-style chicken at home, there are a few key things you need to keep in mind. From the ingredients you use to the cooking process itself, every detail matters when it comes to achieving that perfect combination of crispy skin and juicy meat. Here are some tips and tricks to help you make the best KFC chicken possible:

1. Use the Right Type of Chicken

When making KFC-style chicken at home, it’s essential to use the right type of chicken. While you can certainly use boneless, skinless chicken breast if you prefer, the classic KFC recipe calls for chicken pieces with the skin still intact. The skin helps to create that delicious, crispy coating that makes KFC chicken so irresistible.

2. Brine the Chicken Overnight

One of the secrets to making juicy, flavorful KFC chicken is to brine the chicken overnight before cooking it. This process involves soaking the chicken in a mixture of salt and water for several hours, which helps to tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor.

3. Use a Buttermilk Marinade

Another important step in making KFC-style chicken is to marinate the chicken in a buttermilk mixture. This not only helps to further tenderize the meat but also adds a tangy, slightly sour flavor that pairs perfectly with the other spices in the recipe.

4. Coat the Chicken in Spiced Flour

Once you’ve brined and marinated the chicken, it’s time to coat it in the famous KFC spice blend. To do this, mix together flour and a variety of spices, including paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. When coating the chicken, be sure to press the batter onto the skin firmly to ensure it adheres well.

5. Let the Chicken Rest Before Frying

After you’ve coated the chicken in the spiced flour mixture, it’s important to let it rest for a few minutes before frying. This allows the coating to set up and become crispy, which is key to achieving that classic KFC texture.

6. Fry the Chicken in Hot Oil

When it comes to frying the chicken, the key is to use hot oil. Ideally, the oil should be heated to around 350-375°F to ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and becomes crispy on the outside.

7. Drain the Chicken on Paper Towels

Once the chicken is fried to perfection, it’s crucial to let it drain on a layer of paper towels. This helps to absorb any excess oil and keeps the coating crispy and delicious.

8. Season the Chicken Immediately

After the chicken has rested on the paper towels for a minute or two, it’s a good idea to sprinkle it with a little more of the KFC spice blend. This adds an extra layer of flavor and really makes the chicken taste like it came straight from a KFC restaurant.

9. Serve with Classic KFC Sides

To really complete the KFC experience, be sure to serve your homemade chicken with classic KFC sides like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and biscuits. These are the perfect accompaniments to the rich, savory flavor of the chicken.

10. Enjoy!

Finally, the most important step in making KFC-style chicken at home is to sit back, relax, and enjoy! There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of biting into a piece of perfectly crispy, juicy KFC chicken that you made yourself.

Secret Recipe and Cooking Techniques Used by KFC

KFC is famous for its crispy and juicy fried chicken, which has been satisfying the cravings of millions of people worldwide for decades. The secret recipe and cooking techniques that KFC uses have become a legend in the food industry. In this section, we will uncover some of the secrets behind KFC’s mouth-watering chicken.

Using Only Fresh and High-Quality Ingredients

KFC uses fresh and high-quality chicken to ensure that every piece of chicken served is tender, moist, and packed with natural flavor. The chickens are sourced from reputable suppliers and undergo strict quality control procedures to ensure that they meet KFC’s specifications. Additionally, KFC uses a blend of 11 herbs and spices and a special seasoning mix to enhance the flavor of the chicken.

Marinating the Chicken

Another secret behind KFC’s delicious chicken is marination. Before the chicken is coated with the seasoned flour mixture and fried, it is marinated in a buttermilk mixture for several hours. The buttermilk tenderizes the chicken, giving it a melt-in-your-mouth texture and flavor. The marination also helps the seasoning to penetrate the chicken, making it tastier.

Double-Breading the Chicken

KFC uses a double-breading technique to achieve its signature crispy crust. After the chicken has been marinated, it is coated twice with a mixture of flour, herbs, and spices. This double coating creates a thick, crunchy crust that seals in the moisture and flavor of the chicken, making it crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Pressure-Frying the Chicken

KFC uses a unique pressure-frying technique to ensure that the chicken is cooked evenly and retains its moisture. The chicken is placed in a special pressure fryer that cooks it under pressure, locking in the moisture and ensuring that it cooks evenly and quickly. The pressure also allows the chicken to absorb the seasoning and spices, creating a juicy and flavorful piece of chicken.

Serving the Chicken Fresh and Hot

Another secret behind KFC’s mouth-watering chicken is that it is served fresh and hot. The chicken is cooked to order, ensuring that every piece is freshly made and served piping hot. This ensures that customers enjoy the full flavor and crispy texture of the chicken, making their KFC experience unforgettable.

In conclusion, KFC’s fried chicken is more than just a mouth-watering fast food meal. It is the result of decades of experimentation and perfection of cooking techniques, seasoning blends, and ingredient selections. By using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients and cooking the chicken with its unique pressure-frying technique, KFC ensures that every piece of chicken served is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with flavor.

Come back for more finger-lickin’ goodness!

That’s all for now, folks! We hope you enjoyed our KFC-style chicken recipe and tips. Don’t forget to try them out and let us know how it turned out. If you liked what you saw, don’t hesitate to come back for more mouthwatering recipes and cooking tips. We’re always happy to have you here, and we promise that once you get a taste of our finger-lickin’ good cooking, you won’t be able to stay away. So, until next time, thanks for reading and happy cooking!