If you love the crispy, seasoned, and perfectly fried chicken from KFC, you’ll enjoy these homemade recipes that capture all those delicious flavors. From fried chicken to classic sides, these recipes will bring the taste of KFC right to your kitchen.
1. Homemade KFC-Style Fried Chicken
This recipe brings that crispy, seasoned fried chicken with a secret blend of spices you crave. The buttermilk marinade helps tenderize the chicken, and the flour coating gives it a crunchy, flavorful crust.
Ingredients:
- 8 pieces of chicken (drumsticks, thighs, or breasts)
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional, for a kick)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions:
- Marinate the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk and hot sauce. Add the chicken pieces and mix to coat. Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight for more flavor.
- Prepare the Coating:
- In a separate bowl, mix the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. This will be the coating for your chicken.
- Coat the Chicken:
- Remove the chicken from the buttermilk marinade and allow any excess liquid to drip off. Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating sticks well.
- Fry the Chicken:
- Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Test the oil by dropping a small amount of flour in it. If it sizzles, the oil is ready.
- Carefully place the chicken in the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the chicken for 12-15 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the chicken and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.