KFC, or Kentucky Fried Chicken, is known for its secret blend of herbs and spices that give its fried chicken its distinctive flavor. While the exact KFC recipe is a closely guarded secret, you can create a similar KFC-style fried chicken at home with your own blend of spices. Here’s a recipe for KFC-style secret chicken:
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 4-6 pieces of chicken (e.g., drumsticks, thighs, or breast pieces)
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon dried sage
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Dredging Mixture:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
1. Marinate the Chicken:
- Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl and pour the buttermilk over them. Ensure the chicken is fully submerged.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results. Marinating the chicken in buttermilk helps tenderize it and infuse flavor.
2. Prepare the Dredging Mixture:
- In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried herbs (thyme, oregano, basil, rosemary, sage, and parsley), salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create your spice dredging mixture.
3. Dredge the Chicken:
- Remove a piece of marinated chicken from the buttermilk and let the excess liquid drip off.
- Roll the chicken piece in the spice dredging mixture, ensuring it’s evenly coated. You can press the coating onto the chicken for better adherence.
- Place the coated chicken on a baking sheet and repeat the process for all the chicken pieces.
4. Heat the Oil:
- In a large skillet or deep fryer, heat vegetable oil to 350-375°F (175-190°C). The oil should be hot enough to fully cook the chicken and make it crispy.
5. Fry the Chicken:
- Carefully add the coated chicken pieces to the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry in batches if necessary.
- Fry the chicken for about 12-15 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces. Turn them occasionally to ensure even cooking and browning.
- The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is golden brown and crispy on the outside.
6. Drain and Serve:
- Remove the fried chicken pieces from the oil and place them on a wire rack or paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Serve your homemade KFC-style secret chicken hot with your favorite side dishes, such as coleslaw, mashed potatoes, or biscuits.
Enjoy your homemade KFC-style secret chicken, which captures the essence of the famous KFC flavor with a blend of herbs and spices.
