Crispy, Juicy, Perfect: My Homemade Kentucky Fried Chicken Recipe

The Ultimate Homemade Kentucky Fried Chicken Recipe That Will Change Your Life! – Hey there, friend! Lumina here!

Kentucky Fried Chicken

Lumina Liu

Authentic homemade Kentucky Fried Chicken with a perfect blend of herbs and spices. This crispy, golden fried chicken recipe recreates the famous KFC flavor with paprika, herbs, and a perfect double coating technique for that signature crunch.

4.9 from 324 votes

Prep Time 20 Minutes

Cook Time 15 Minutes

Total Time 40 Minutes

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 385 calories kcal

Ingredients

 

• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
• 2 quarts neutral frying oil
• 1 egg white
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons onion salt
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sage
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon basil
• 1/2 teaspoon marjoram

Instructions

 

1. Preheat fryer to 350°F.
2. Thoroughly mix together all the spice mix ingredients (paprika, onion salt, chili powder, black pepper, celery salt, sage, garlic powder, allspice, oregano, basil, and marjoram).
3. Combine spice mix with flour, brown sugar and salt.
4. Dip chicken pieces in egg white to lightly coat them, then transfer to flour mixture. Turn a few times and make sure the flour mix is really stuck to the chicken. Repeat with all the chicken pieces.
5. Let chicken pieces rest for 5 minutes so crust has a chance to dry a bit.
6. Fry chicken in batches. Breasts and wings should take 12-14 minutes, and legs and thighs will need a few more minutes. Chicken pieces are done when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F.
7. Let chicken drain on a few paper towels when it comes out of the fryer. Serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 385.00 caloriesFat: 22.00 gCarbohydrates: 15.00 gCholesterol: 85.00 mgFiber: 1.00 gProtein: 28.00 gSaturated Fat: 5.00 g

Keyword Kentucky Fried Chicken, KFC, Homemade fried chicken, Southern fried chicken, Crispy chicken, Spicy chicken, American chicken recipe

I’m SO excited to share my take on the classic Kentucky Fried Chicken recipe that’s going to knock your socks off! Trust me, once you make this at home, you’ll be shocked at how amazing it tastes.

Let’s turn your kitchen into the best fried chicken spot in town!

Why Make Kentucky Fried Chicken at Home?

Making your own Kentucky Fried Chicken recipe at home is a total game changer! Not only do you control exactly what goes into it, but you also get that incredible satisfaction of creating something delicious from scratch. Plus, the house smells AMAZING for hours after!

I tried this recipe last weekend when my family came over, and let me tell you – they couldn’t believe I made it myself! My dad even said it was better than the real thing (proud moment)! 😊

The Secret Spice Blend

The heart and soul of any Kentucky Fried Chicken recipe is that iconic blend of herbs and spices. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons onion salt
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sage
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon basil
• 1/2 teaspoon marjoram

Mix these all together and you’ve got the foundation for that classic KFC flavor!

This spice mix is totally versatile too – I sometimes make extra and use it on roasted potatoes or grilled meats!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the complete Kentucky Fried Chicken recipe, gather:

• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
• 2 quarts neutral frying oil
• 1 egg white
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon salt
• Your prepared spice mix

I like to use chicken thighs and drumsticks because they’re juicier, but you can totally use any pieces you prefer! The brown sugar might sound weird, but it adds this subtle caramelization that makes a huge difference!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s the step-by-step guides on how to cook this special Kentucky fried chicken yourself at home:

Preparing Your Chicken

First things first – let’s get that chicken ready for its flavor transformation!

1. Cut your chicken into standard pieces if you bought a whole one. If you’re not comfortable doing this, ask your butcher to do it for you or buy pre-cut pieces!
2. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This is super important! Excess moisture is the enemy of crispy chicken.
3. Let the chicken come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking. Cold chicken right from the fridge doesn’t cook evenly!

Creating the Coating

This is where the magic happens in our Kentucky Fried Chicken recipe!

1. Preheat your fryer or deep pot with oil to 350°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, test with a small piece of bread – it should bubble and turn golden in about 60 seconds.
2. Mix all your spices thoroughly in a bowl – make sure there are no clumps!
3. Combine the spice mix with flour, brown sugar, and salt in a large bowl or paper bag (the bag method is actually super fun and less messy!).
4. Whisk the egg white in a separate bowl until it’s slightly frothy.

The Double-Dip Technique

This technique is what gives KFC its signature crust!

1. Dip each chicken piece in the egg white to lightly coat it. Let excess drip off.
2. Transfer to the flour mixture and turn several times, pressing gently to make sure the coating sticks well.
3. Let the coated chicken rest for 5 minutes on a wire rack. This drying time is a SECRET TRICK that helps the coating adhere better!

Frying to Perfection

Now for the most exciting part – watching that chicken turn golden brown!

1. Carefully lower chicken pieces into hot oil – don’t overcrowd! Work in batches if needed.
2. Fry breasts and wings for 12-14 minutes, and legs and thighs for a few minutes longer.
3. Check the internal temperature – it should read 165°F at the thickest part when done.
4. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
5. Serve hot for the ultimate experience!

Troubleshooting Tips

Help! My Coating Is Falling Off!

This happens to everyone at some point! Here are my fixes:

• Make sure your chicken is completely dry before coating
• Don’t skip the 5-minute resting period
• Check your oil temperature – if it’s too low, the coating will absorb oil and fall off

My Chicken Is Browning Too Quickly

If your Kentucky Fried Chicken recipe is browning too fast on the outside but still raw inside:

• Lower your oil temperature slightly
• Try using slightly larger pieces of chicken next time
• Consider finishing extra-large pieces in the oven

Serving Suggestions

Your homemade Kentucky Fried Chicken recipe deserves some awesome sides! I love serving mine with:

• Creamy mashed potatoes and gravy
• Classic coleslaw
• Buttery corn on the cob
• Fluffy buttermilk biscuits
• Mac and cheese (because why not?)

Making It Healthier (Yes, It’s Possible!)

Want to enjoy this Kentucky Fried Chicken recipe more often? Try these tweaks:

• Air fry instead of deep fry (still delicious, I promise!)
• Remove the skin before cooking to cut down on fat
• Bake it in the oven at 425°F after a quick pan-sear
• Use skinless chicken breasts for a leaner option

Remember, these changes will alter the authentic taste somewhat, but they’re great for everyday meals when you want the flavor without all the calories!

Storing Leftovers

If by some miracle you have leftover Kentucky Fried Chicken, here’s how to keep it tasty:

• Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days
• Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes (the microwave will make it soggy!)
• For extra crispiness, try reheating in an air fryer for 3-4 minutes

Final Thoughts

Making your own Kentucky Fried Chicken recipe at home is seriously one of the most satisfying cooking projects ever! Yes, it takes a bit of time, but the results are SO worth it. Your friends and family will be absolutely blown away!

Remember, the key to perfect fried chicken is patience and temperature control. Don’t rush the process, and you’ll be rewarded with chicken that’s crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside!

What’s your favorite piece of fried chicken? Are you a drumstick person or a thigh lover? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy frying, friends!