Here’s a recipe that closely mimics the taste and texture of KFC-style fried chicken using simple ingredients and techniques you can try at home:
🍗 Homemade KFC-Style Fried Chicken
🧂 Ingredients
For the Chicken:
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8 pieces chicken (bone-in, skin-on: drumsticks, thighs, breasts)
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2 cups buttermilk (or 2 cups milk + 2 tbsp lemon juice as substitute)
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1 tsp salt
For the Flour Coating (KFC-Style 11 Spice Blend):
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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2 tsp salt
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1/2 tsp thyme
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1/2 tsp basil
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1/3 tsp oregano
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1 tsp celery salt
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1 tsp black pepper
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1 tsp dried mustard
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4 tsp paprika
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2 tsp garlic salt
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1 tsp ground ginger
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3 tsp white pepper (this gives KFC its distinct heat)
For Frying:
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Vegetable oil (like canola or peanut), enough for deep frying
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Marinate the Chicken
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Combine buttermilk and salt in a bowl.
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Add chicken pieces and marinate for at least 4 hours (overnight is best) in the fridge.
2. Prepare the Coating
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Mix all flour and spices thoroughly in a large bowl or Ziploc bag.
3. Dredge the Chicken
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Remove chicken from the marinade (let excess drip off).
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Coat each piece thoroughly in the seasoned flour mix.
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For extra crunch: Dip chicken in a bit of buttermilk again, then re-coat in flour.
4. Fry the Chicken
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Heat oil to 325°F (165°C) in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pan.
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Fry chicken in batches (don’t overcrowd) for 12–15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and internal temp hits 165°F (74°C).
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Drain on a wire rack (not paper towels — to keep it crisp).
5. Let It Rest
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Rest for 5–10 minutes before serving for maximum crispiness.
✅ Tips for Success
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White pepper is key for that signature KFC flavor.
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Use a thermometer — both for oil temp and checking doneness.
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Double-coating (dip-flour-dip-flour) gives extra crunch.
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