No one makes fried chicken likes KFC. They have been known for their famous recipe of 11 herbs and spices for a very long time now. You can recreate their fried chicken at home.
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Herbs and Spices in KFC Fried Chicken Recipe
This recipe calls for Fines Herbes, but most people have difficulty in obtaining them in a grocery store. You can purchase the fines herbs on Amazon.com.
They advertise using 11 herbs and spices and we use seasoned salt to account for many of those spices. Seasoned salt is a blend of spices and salt that adds a lot of kick to any dish.
KFC Fried chicken is known all the world around. Yes, you can go to pick some up anytime you like at your local Kentucky Fried Chicken fast-food restaurant. But maybe you live away from one and want to recreate your own with this CopyKat Recipe.
Love KFC? Try these copycat recipes:
KFC Fried Chicken
Ingredients
- 5 pounds whole chicken cut into pieces
- 3 cups Water
- 1 tablespoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon MSG optional
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 packages DRY Instant Chicken Broth (Do Not Use Canned)
- 2 teaspoons Seasoned Salt
- 1 teaspoon fines herbes
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 cup Flour
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Cover chicken with a mixture of water and salt. Chill in the bowl for least 1 hour.
- Combine herbs, onion powder, seasoned salt, instant chicken broth, and pepper in a blender and mix well. Place this mixture in a bowl. Add the flour to this bowl. Mix flour and seasonings well.
- Remove chicken from water, and dip it into the flour mixture coat well. Place coated pieces on a plate for 5 minutes.
- Melt enough shortening or salad oil to make 1-inch depth in a large skillet. Heat to 375 degrees. Fry chicken pieces turning once, every 5 minutes, be sure to cook chicken until done. Lift the chicken out and drain on paper towels. You can keep the chicken warm in the oven by placing it in the oven, and serve when all pieces are finished cooking.
Dan
I liked the Chicago Tribune recipe, but this one was pretty good too.
Dave
OK folks. If you want the original seasoning blend from the company that used to mix it for Harlan Sanders before he sold out, it was and still is made by Marion Kay Spices and it’s their “Chicken Seasoning 99x”. Sanders liked it better than his original because Kay put in one more thing. You can google the story. It runs about $1.00 per ounce and IS the real deal. It’s just not worth arguing over what’s in it. What it is is GOOD!
Stephanie
Interesting, I will have to give that a try.
baltisraul
DD nailed it! Thanks! I don’t understand all the fuss about MSG (Accent)? The complaint about this use of msg was that it could give people headaches. This came about in the late 50’s early 60’s concerning the use in Chinees eateries. Maybe I don’t get out enough but I have yet to meet anyone that got headaches from it’s use. It is just a flavor enhancer and we use it a LOT. If you ever eat at a Soul Food place get ready for a good dose of Accent. They buy it by the truck load! For those of you who want to duplicate KFC’s pressure cooking method, DONT USE YOUR HOME PRESSURE COOKER. iT COULD EXPLODE.
Stephanie
I have some accent on hand. I am not personally sensitive to it, it really does make food taste better. I feel like the science behind it isn’t always clear. MSG exists naturally in some food. A lot of food manufactures simply call it something else. So we are still consuming it. Chick Fil A also uses MSG in their chicken as well.
baltisraul
Now I know why I can’t pass a Chick fil A!
DD
I just wanna add I worked for KFC way back when I for those of you who like Original Recipe chicken it’s all the above recipe and comment additions with the spices except its cooked in a Pressure Fryer. Very important distinction. That’s how Original recipe gets made.
For those who like the Extra Tasty Crispy, NO Breadcrumbs. You see that step where you dunk the chicken in the water and then in the flour and herb/spices mix? Yeah, do that twice, then straight up dunk fry it. Doesn’t have to be fully submerged, but at least half covered when you fry it or the center won’t get hot enough and cook through before it burns on the outside. Honestly, the second dunk and flouring before frying is the only difference between Crispy and Original other than how they fry.
happy wheels
Thank for your post! It is easy to understand, detailed and meticulous! I have read many other articles about the same topic, but your article convinced me! I hope you continue to have high quality articles like this to share with veryone!
Gary Moore
Very good recipes. To make it even better, soak the chicken for 12 hours in egg and buttermilk. The acid in the buttermilk tenderizes the chicken and gives a better flavor. southern ladies have done this for years.
use peanut or coconut oil to cook in. all other oils are not good for you. the others burn at higher heat and releases cancer chemicals.
Stephanie
Thank you for your suggestions. I agree marinating chicken always makes it better. Thank you again!
Kate
I moved from the states to Xi’an, China. Yes we have KFC here, but like most other American fast food restaurants here, the recipes are altered. The chicken here has different seasoning. So, yes it may be recognized world-wide, but it is not the same product.
Nancy
So WHAT IS THE “fine herbs” in this recipe??
SAR
You can buy it on Amazon.com or here’s a recipe:
Fines Herbes
Ingredients
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon savory (grind parsley, tarragon, chives & dill)
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 teaspoon marjoram
1 teaspoon sage
Directions
1. Mix together all of ingredients & store in tightly sealed glass container.
Lydia
Gary Moore: using a salt brine to the soak also helps really plump up the chicken meat. Who would have thought that “bro science” at the gym would ever come in handy: excess sodium makes you….retain water, duh! Haha!
Lauren Kelly Nutrition
I need to make this for my family! They will go crazy for this!
Heather
Oh thanks for sharing – I do love some KFC style chicken!
Rick Wright
I think for people who can’t find Fines herbs, or don’t like MSG or want it to be as close to the Colonels, I would read what SNUGSCAT wrote. She has first hand experience. KFC does NOT use soy sauce, and DOES use a pressure cooker. Always have. If you want the real 11 herbs and spices, see her list. Play with it to find the correct amounts.
Lexie Lane
Can’t believe KFC hasn’t taken MSG off their ingredients list yet but not sure I’d want them to change things either. They are so good and am so thankful for your recipe!
Mike
If you eat tomatoes. They have sone of the highest concentration of msg in any fruit or vegetable lol. Msg is not bad for you. Check your facts first. It’s not a banned substance. Restaurant owners just put up the signs to make you feel better.
RoseSiders
This sounds amazing! Certainly cheaper than ordering the real thing 🙂 I will definitely be trying this in the very near future.
Kristin Swenson
And I’m drooling! Fried chicken is my very favorite comfort food!
Lorane Rhoden
Nobody does it quite like KFC i tell you. I’d rather go in to have it rather than try to duplicate it
Censie 'Mumby' Sawyer
Seems like a lot of work! lol Looks good though!
Robin (Masshole Mommy)
I will have to try out this recipe. I love KFC’s chicken!
Liz Mays
What an awesome way to cook up chicken! I’m definitely going to have to try those spices.
Lois Alter Mark
I would love to try this! I’m a big fan of KFC fried chicken.
Ashley @irishred02
we no longer fry our chicken but oven bake it. I’m sure a lot of fried chicken fans will be all over this recipe
Jeanine @ sixtimemommy.com
I love KFC fried chicken. I haven’t been able to eat it for a long while because of my gallbladder and boy oh boy do I miss it. This looks so good! I will have to try it!
Mama to 5 Blessings
I love KFC chicken. Your recipe sounds finger lickin’ good!