KFC Style Fried Chicken Recipe (Crispy, Juicy & Easy Homemade)

If you love crispy, juicy fried chicken, this kfc style fried chicken recipe is exactly what you need! With its perfectly seasoned coating and tender, flavorful meat, it delivers that classic takeout taste right at home. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or a special treat, kfc style fried chicken is easy to make and incredibly satisfying.

Method

Start by preparing the brine. Begin by cutting the chicken into pieces and placing them in a large bowl. In the same bowl, combine the buttermilk, pickle juice, hot sauce, and salt. Whisk everything together until the salt dissolves and the ingredients are well mixed. Add the chicken pieces into the brine mixture, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the chicken for at least 1 hour. Marinating the chicken helps tenderize the meat while infusing it with all the delicious flavors from the brine.

While the chicken marinates, mix the coating. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, corn starch, salt, oregano, thyme, basil, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard, paprika, ginger, white pepper, black pepper, and chicken bouillon. Stir the ingredients well to ensure all the spices are evenly distributed. This blend of seasonings is what will give your fried chicken its signature crispy, flavorful coating, so make sure it’s mixed thoroughly.

Once the chicken has marinated in the brine, coat the chicken. Take each piece of chicken and coat it evenly in the flour mixture. Press the chicken pieces into the flour mixture to ensure the coating sticks well. After coating, shake off any excess flour and place the coated pieces on a clean plate. Repeat this process for all the chicken pieces, making sure each one is well-coated.

Next, it’s time to fry the chicken. Heat vegetable or peanut oil in a frying pan or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C). The oil should be deep enough to submerge the chicken pieces completely for an even fry. Once the oil reaches the right temperature, carefully add the chicken pieces in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the chicken for 10-15 minutes, turning the pieces occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy. You can check for doneness by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C) to ensure it’s fully cooked.Once the chicken is cooked, drain and serve. Carefully remove the chicken from the hot oil and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Lightly sprinkle the chicken with salt for added flavor. Let the chicken cool for a few minutes, and it’s ready to serve!

Necessary Tools

• Large bowl for marinating the chicken
• Shallow dish for the flour and seasoning mix
• Frying pan or deep fryer for cooking the chicken
• Tongs or spatula for turning the chicken while frying
• Paper towels for draining excess oil
• Cooking thermometer (optional but helpful to ensure chicken is cooked through)

KFC Style Fried Chicken: Crispy, Flavorful, and Better Than Takeout

Recipe by Troy Jorge

0.0 from 0 votes

Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Total time

45

minutes

Ingredients

• For the Brine:

• 1 & 1/2 whole chicken (cut into pieces)

• 1/2 liter buttermilk

• 1/2 cup pickle juice

• Hot sauce (to taste)

• 1 tsp salt

• For the Coating:

• 1 & 1/2 cups flour

• 1/2 cup corn starch

• 2 tsp salt

• 1 tsp oregano

• 1 tsp thyme

• 2 tsp onion powder

• 2 tsp garlic powder

• 2 tsp dried mustard

• 3 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp ground ginger

• 3 tsp white pepper

• 2 tsp black pepper

• 1 tbsp chicken bouillon

• For Frying:

• Vegetable or peanut oil (for frying)

• Salt (lightly, after frying)

Directions

• Prepare the Brine:
  Begin by cutting the chicken into pieces. In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, pickle juice, hot sauce, and salt. Whisk everything together until the salt dissolves. Add the chicken pieces into the brine mixture, making sure they’re fully submerged. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This will help tenderize the chicken and add flavor.
• Mix the Coating:
  In a shallow dish, combine the flour, corn starch, salt, oregano, thyme, basil, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard, paprika, ginger, white pepper, black pepper, and chicken bouillon. Stir well to make sure all the spices are evenly distributed. This mixture will give your fried chicken that signature crispy and flavorful coating.
• Coat the Chicken:
  After the chicken has marinated in the brine, take each piece and coat it thoroughly in the flour mixture. Press the chicken into the coating to make sure it sticks well. Shake off any excess flour and set the coated chicken aside on a plate. Repeat with all the chicken pieces.
• Fry the Chicken:
  Heat vegetable or peanut oil in a frying pan or deep fryer to about 350°F (175°C). The oil should be deep enough to submerge the chicken pieces for frying. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the chicken pieces in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 10-15 minutes, turning the pieces occasionally until the chicken is golden brown and crispy. You can check for doneness by inserting a meat thermometer; the internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C).
• Drain and Serve:
  Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oil and place it on paper towels to drain the excess oil. Lightly sprinkle with salt for added flavor. Let the chicken cool for a few minutes, and then it’s ready to serve!

Notes

• Be careful when frying, as hot oil can cause burns. Use tongs to safely add the chicken to the oil and turn it.
• Make sure to monitor the temperature of the oil with a thermometer. If the oil gets too hot, the chicken will burn on the outside before cooking through on the inside.
• If you’re making a large batch, be sure not to overcrowd the frying pan. This can cause the oil temperature to drop and result in soggy chicken.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve your crispy fried chicken with a side of mashed potatoes or a fresh salad for a delicious meal.
• Pair with a drizzle of honey or a spicy dipping sauce for extra flavor.
• This fried chicken also goes great with coleslaw or steamed veggies on the side to balance out the richness.

Fun Fact

Did you know that fried chicken has been a part of Southern cuisine in the United States for hundreds of years? It was originally brought to America by Scottish immigrants, who had a tradition of frying food. Over time, fried chicken became a beloved dish, especially in the South, where it’s often served at family gatherings and celebrations.

Conclusion

This kfc style fried chicken is the ultimate comfort food, combining a crispy golden crust with juicy, flavorful chicken inside. It’s simple to prepare and perfect for any occasion. Once you try this kfc style fried chicken, you’ll never need takeout again!