Kentucky Fried Chicken
Unlocking the secret to Kentucky Fried Chicken’s iconic taste hinges on a blend of 11 herbs and spices, and meticulous preparation techniques, from buttermilk marination to pressure frying. While the full recipe remains a secret, insights gathered here get you remarkably close to the real deal, focusing on the importance of marination, breading, and frying techniques to achieve the signature taste and texture.
Prep Time
15 minutes (plus overnight for marinating).
Cooking Time
30 minutes.
Servings
This recipe serves 4.
Ingredients
- Chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, breast halves with skin on) 8 pieces total
- Buttermilk - 2 cups (480 ml)
- Flour - 2 cups (256 g)
- Salt - 2 tablespoons (30 ml / 28.3 g)
- Thyme - 1 tablespoon (15 ml / 2.7 g)
- Basil - 1 tablespoon (15 ml / 2.7 g)
- Oregano - 1 tablespoon (15 ml / 2.7 g)
- Garlic powder - 2 teaspoons (10 ml / 6.2 g)
- Paprika - 2 teaspoons (10 ml / 4.2 g)
- Ground black pepper - 1 teaspoon (5 ml / 2.1 g)
- Ground ginger - 1 teaspoon (5 ml / 1.8 g)
- MSG (Monosodium glutamate) - 1 teaspoon (5 ml / 4.9 g)
- Egg whites - 2 large
- Vegetable oil for frying
Method
- Marinate the chicken pieces in buttermilk overnight in the refrigerator.
- Mix flour with salt, thyme, basil, oregano, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, ginger, and MSG for the seasoned flour mixture.
- Beat egg whites until frothy.
- Preheat your fryer or a deep cast-iron skillet with vegetable oil to 350°F (177°C).
- Take each piece of chicken out of the buttermilk, dip it into the egg whites, then coat thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture.
- Allow the coated chicken to rest for 5 minutes to let the breading set.
- Fry the chicken pieces in the preheated oil, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), about 12-15 minutes depending on the size of the pieces.
- Drain the fried chicken on a wire rack to keep the crust crispy.
This recipe brings you close to the legendary taste of Kentucky Fried Chicken, capturing the essence of its unique flavor and texture. Remember, the success lies in the details, from the overnight marination in buttermilk to the precise frying technique. Enjoy the crunch and flavor of homemade KFC-style chicken that’s bound to impress.
Nutritional Information (Approx)
- Calories: 750
- Protein: 65g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Cholesterol: 200mg
- Sodium: 1500mg
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 8g