The exact secret recipe for KFC Original Fried Chicken is one of the most famous food secrets in the world. It was created by Colonel Harland Sanders and is said to contain 11 herbs and spices. The real recipe is locked away, but a widely shared copycat version tastes very close. 🍗
Copycat KFC Original Fried Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 whole chicken cut into 8–10 pieces (or 1 kg pieces)
Buttermilk Marinade
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Flour Coating
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp salt
- 1½ tsp dried thyme
- 1½ tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp mustard powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp ginger powder
- ½ tsp white pepper
- ½ tsp celery salt
For frying
- Vegetable oil (enough for deep frying)
Instructions
1. Marinate
- Mix chicken with buttermilk, salt, and pepper.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours (overnight is best).
2. Prepare the coating
Mix all flour and spices in a large bowl.
3. Coat the chicken
- Remove chicken from marinade.
- Roll each piece in the seasoned flour.
- Press flour onto chicken for a thick crispy coating.
4. Fry
- Heat oil to 175°C (350°F).
- Fry chicken pieces for 12–15 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
5. Rest
Place fried chicken on a rack or paper towel for 5 minutes before serving.
✅ Tips for the KFC-style taste
- Use white pepper — it’s a key flavor.
- Double-coat the chicken for extra crispy crust.
- Fry in pressure fryer style if possible (restaurants use this).
If you want, I can also show you:
- 🍗 The viral “leaked 11 herbs and spices list” many chefs believe is closest to the real KFC recipe
- 🔥 How to make KFC-style crispy coating that stays crunchy for hours.
