Crispy Golden Homemade KFC Chicken Recipe That Wows Everyone

Crispy, golden chicken with that legendary homemade KFC chicken recipe has been my weekend comfort obsession lately.

Kentucky’s famous secret blend of herbs and spices sparked my culinary curiosity.

I stumbled across an incredible technique that mimics the restaurant’s iconic flavor profile.

My kitchen experiments revealed surprising tricks for achieving that perfect crunch.

Marinating creates an incredible depth of taste few home cooks understand.

Seasoning matters more than you might expect in recreating restaurant-quality fried chicken.

Mastering this recipe will make you the neighborhood cooking champion.

Dive into this delicious adventure and impress everyone at your next gathering.

KFC Chicken That’s Crispy and Just Like Takeout

Uncover Homemade Comfort: Simple KFC-Style Chicken Magic

• Quick Restaurant Copycat: Recreate delicious KFC-style chicken right in your own kitchen without complicated techniques or special equipment.
• Flavor-Packed Preparation: Layered seasoning approach with parboiling and double-coating ensures maximum taste and a perfectly crispy exterior that rivals professional restaurant chicken.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Significantly cheaper than takeout, this recipe transforms basic ingredients into a crowd-pleasing meal that feeds multiple people without breaking the bank.
• Customizable Cooking Adventure: Easily adjust seasonings, experiment with spice levels, and personalize the recipe to match your family's taste preferences while maintaining the classic crispy chicken experience.

Homemade KFC Chicken What You’ll Use

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken Pieces: Tender meat that forms the base of the dish, choose fresh chicken with consistent size for even cooking.

• Wheat Flour, Cornstarch: Creates a crispy, golden exterior that locks in moisture and provides signature crunch.
• Chicken Seasoning: Adds deep flavor profile and authentic KFC-style taste.
• Minced Garlic: Provides aromatic depth and savory undertone to the coating.

• Evaporated Milk, Eggs: Helps coating stick to chicken and creates a rich, smooth binding layer.
• Mustard: Adds subtle tangy notes and helps enhance overall seasoning.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing natural chicken flavor and creating balanced taste.

• Cooking Oil: Allows chicken to achieve golden brown exterior and crispy texture, choose neutral oil with high smoke point.

Recreate KFC Chicken at Home

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Pieces

Grab your fresh chicken and thoroughly wash and dry each piece.

Sprinkle generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to create a delicious base flavor.

Step 2: Gentle Boiling Technique

Place seasoned chicken in a large pot with water, just enough to partially cover the meat.

Cover with a lid and simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes.

Drain and let the chicken cool down slightly.

Step 3: Create Magical Coating Mixtures

Prepare two separate bowls for coating:

• Wheat flour
• Cornstarch
• Minced garlic
• Chicken seasoning

• Evaporated milk
• Eggs
• Mustard
• Salt
• Pepper

Whisk the second bowl mixture until completely smooth and blend the first bowl ingredients thoroughly.

Step 4: Layer the Coating

Dip each chicken piece into the flour mixture first, ensuring complete coverage.

Then submerge into the milk mixture and return to the flour mixture for a second generous coating.

Place coated chicken on a tray and refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to help the coating set.

Step 5: Prepare Frying Oil

Heat oil in a large skillet or deep pot over medium temperature.

Test oil readiness by dropping a pinch of flour – it should sizzle immediately upon contact.

Step 6: Crispy Frying Process

Carefully fry 2-3 chicken pieces at a time to maintain oil temperature.

Cook until each piece turns golden brown and reaches complete internal doneness, approximately 10-12 minutes per batch.

Remove and place on paper towels to absorb excess oil.

Step 7: Serve and Savor

Allow chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving.

Accompany with classic sides like coleslaw, creamy mashed potatoes, or warm buttermilk biscuits for a truly satisfying meal.

KFC Copycat Tips for Crispy Chicken Greatness

• Marinate chicken in buttermilk overnight for deeper, more intense taste and tenderness before seasoning.
• Let coated chicken rest in refrigerator to help breading adhere better and create extra crunch during frying.
• Maintain consistent oil temperature around 350°F using a cooking thermometer to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
• Use a wire rack instead of paper towels for draining to keep chicken crispy and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Bake coated chicken in preheated oven at 400°F for 25-30 minutes for a lower-fat version with similar crispy texture.

Store Homemade KFC Chicken Crisp

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Warm chicken at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, ensuring crispy exterior stays intact. Place on a wire rack over a baking sheet to help maintain crispness and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Reheat in short 30-second intervals to prevent drying out. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture and prevent rubbery texture.
• Wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating for best results.

Homemade KFC Chicken Side Dishes

• Complementary Flavor Partners: Zesty coleslaw cuts through the richness of the crispy fried chicken, providing a tangy and refreshing contrast.
• Beverage Harmony: Serve an ice-cold sweet tea or craft amber ale to balance the savory, spicy notes of the KFC-style chicken, enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Creamy Side Kick: Whip up smooth mashed potatoes with garlic and chives, creating a classic comfort food combination that absorbs the chicken's delicious seasoned coating.
• Southern-Style Companion: Add buttery, flaky buttermilk biscuits to soak up extra chicken juices and provide a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture alongside the crispy protein.

KFC Chicken Copycat Flavor Options

• Gluten-Free Crunch: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend or almond flour. Use cornstarch and gluten-free breadcrumbs for extra crispy coating.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Swap wheat flour with crushed pork rinds or almond flour. Eliminate cornstarch and use low-carb spice blend for seasoning.
• Baked Healthier Option: Skip deep frying and bake chicken on a wire rack at 425°F. Spray with olive oil and use same seasoning mix for crispy exterior.
• Air Fryer Alternative: Cook chicken in air fryer at 380°F for 12-15 minutes. Spray lightly with cooking oil and follow original coating method for similar crispy texture.

FAQs

• Why do I need to parboil the chicken before frying?

Parboiling helps partially cook the chicken, ensuring it’s tender and juicy inside while preventing raw spots during the final frying process. It also helps the seasoning penetrate deeper into the meat.

• Can I use a different type of milk instead of evaporated milk?

Regular whole milk or buttermilk can work as substitutes, but evaporated milk provides a richer texture and helps the coating stick better to the chicken. The consistency and fat content make a difference in the final crispy result.

• How can I tell if the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The chicken should have a golden brown exterior and no pink meat inside. When you cut into it, the juices should run clear.

• What's the purpose of double-coating the chicken?

Double-coating creates a thicker, crispier exterior that’s similar to the classic KFC texture. The first flour coating helps the wet mixture stick, while the second flour layer adds extra crunch and helps seal in moisture.

Homemade Kfc Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Crispy KFC chicken brings finger-licking Southern comfort straight from Kentucky’s legendary kitchen. Marinated in secret spices and double-dipped in a perfectly seasoned coating, this homemade classic promises restaurant-quality crunch you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 10 chicken pieces (legs and thighs with skin)
• 2 eggs

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups wheat flour
• 5 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon chicken or meat seasoning
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Wet and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• Oil for frying

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Instructions

1. Meticulously cleanse chicken pieces, eliminating excess moisture with paper towels. Apply a robust blend of salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring comprehensive coverage across each piece.
2. Transfer seasoned chicken into a capacious pot, partially submerging in water. Tenderly simmer under a covered lid for approximately 10 minutes, promoting initial flavor infusion and partial cooking. Carefully drain and allow chicken to cool momentarily.
3. Craft two distinct coating vessels: one incorporating wheat flour, cornstarch, minced garlic, and specialized chicken seasoning; another combining evaporated milk, whisked eggs, tangy mustard, salt, and additional pepper. Mix each mixture thoroughly to guarantee uniform flavor distribution.
4. Execute a strategic double-dredging technique: Initially coat each chicken segment in flour mixture, followed by a complete milk mixture immersion, then return to flour for a secondary layer. Arrange coated pieces on a chilled tray, then refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to help coating adhere effectively.
5. Prepare cooking vessel by heating oil to medium temperature. Verify optimal frying readiness by introducing a small flour pinch – immediate sizzling indicates perfect cooking environment.
6. Methodically fry chicken in small batches, preventing overcrowding. Rotate pieces to achieve uniform golden-brown exterior and confirm internal thoroughness. Each batch requires approximately 10-12 minutes of careful cooking.
7. Remove fried chicken, positioning on absorbent paper towels to eliminate excess oil. Permit brief resting period before serving alongside complementary side dishes like tangy coleslaw, creamy mashed potatoes, or warm buttermilk biscuits.

Notes

• Ensure chicken is completely dry before seasoning to achieve crispy, golden-brown coating that locks in moisture and flavor.
• Parboiling helps tenderize meat and reduces overall frying time, preventing burnt exterior and undercooked interior.
• Double-coating technique creates extra-crispy, layered breading that mimics the signature KFC crunch and texture.
• Control oil temperature carefully between 350-375°F to prevent greasy chicken and ensure even, perfect golden-brown color.
• Refrigerating coated chicken allows breading to set, creating a more stable and crispier crust during frying.
• Use a meat thermometer to check internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption without overcooking.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 470
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg