That first crackle of batter hitting hot oil? It’s pure happiness—especially when you’re bringing homemade Kentucky Fried Chicken to the table. That golden crust forming, the spicy aroma filling the kitchen—it’s like a warm Southern hug wrapped around a juicy piece of chicken. Whether you’re racing against the clock after a long day at work, trying to impress your picky eaters, or just craving a nostalgic comfort food fix, this recipe is a total game-changer. It’s easy enough for a weeknight, yet indulgent enough to serve at a gathering when you want to bring out the big flavor guns.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Kentucky Fried Chicken
- Comfort food at its finest—crispy, well‑seasoned, and just like takeout, but made in your own kitchen.
- Busy-parent friendly: marinate in the morning, fry after work, enjoy dinner that feels special with little time wasted.
- Classic flavor, simple ingredients: no weird stuff here—just pantry staples doing their thing.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces (discard the carcass)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 cups all‑purpose flour
- ¼ cup ground paprika
- 2 Tbsp garlic powder
- 2 Tbsp ground white pepper
- 1 Tbsp celery salt
- 1 Tbsp ground black pepper
- 1 Tbsp dry ground mustard
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 1½ tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp MSG (optional—for that extra “chef vibes”)
- Vegetable oil, about 3 inches deep for frying
How To Make Kentucky Fried Chicken At Home
1. Marinate Like a Pro
In a big bowl, whisk your buttermilk and beaten egg. Tuck in the chicken, cover, and chill for at least 30 minutes—or overnight for ultimate flavor and tenderness.
2. Spice-Up Your Flour
While the chicken chills, mix flour and all seasonings in a separate bowl. This is your crispy flavor bomb.
3. Prep, Fry & Rest
- Preheat oven to 175 °F (80 °C). Line a baking sheet with foil and top with a wire rack.
- Heat about 3 inches of vegetable oil in a Dutch oven to 350 °F (175 °C).
- Remove one chicken piece from the marinade, shake off excess, press into the flour—coat it well! Shake off extra flour, and carefully drop into hot oil. Fry 3–4 pieces at a time (don’t overcrowd).
- Fry each side for about 12–15 minutes, turning halfway until golden brown.
- Move fried pieces to the rack in the oven. Once oil returns to 350 °F, repeat until all chicken is fried.
- Let all pieces hang out in the oven for 10–15 minutes to stay warm and fully cook through (165 °F internal temp).
Tips & Tricks
- No buttermilk? Stir a tbsp of vinegar or lemon juice into milk—magic.
- Too many breadcrumbs? Press firmly into the flour mixture and shake lots of extra off.
- Lumpy sauce of flavor? That’s flavor in the flour—embrace it!
- Leftovers? Reheat in a 350 °F oven for 10 minutes to keep that crunch.
A Little Kitchen Story
This recipe reminds me of a Sunday when all my kids wanted was crispy chicken. I let them help dredge the pieces in flour—it was chaos, but so fun. By dinner, their smiles were priceless (plus, nobody remembered we skipped veggies that night!).
FAQs About Kentucky Fried Chicken
Can I use chicken thighs instead?
Absolutely! Thighs stay juicy and are extra flavorful—adjust fry time to 15–18 minutes.
What’s best for dipping?
Classic ranch, honey mustard, or even ketchup—your call, but ranch always wins in my house.
How do I store leftovers?
Pop them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to bring back that crunch.
What is the secret ingredient in KFC chicken?
While the exact original recipe is still famously under wraps, many believe the secret touch is MSG (monosodium glutamate)—it enhances that signature umami flavor. Totally optional, but it does give that nostalgic, crave-worthy taste.
What is KFC chicken batter made of?
The batter is made of seasoned flour mixed with a blend of herbs and spices. In this recipe, you’ll find paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and more—creating that perfectly crispy, flavorful crust that makes every bite sing.
Fried to Perfection: The Joy of Homemade Kentucky Fried Chicken
You’ve nailed the classic Kentucky Fried Chicken—crispy, flavorful, and made with love. This isn’t just dinner; it’s a comfort-filled, crunchy masterpiece that brings everyone to the table with a smile (and maybe a little happy dance). Perfect for weeknights, lazy Sundays, family meals, or when you’re simply craving a taste of Southern-style magic. Trust me, your kitchen will smell like a dream, and your family will be asking for seconds (and thirds). So grab those napkins, turn up the tunes, and let your crispy chicken reign supreme.
Discover More Crispy, Creamy, and Flavor-Packed Chicken Recipes
Love this crispy classic? Your flavor journey doesn’t have to stop here! Check out these other reader-favorite dishes that bring just as much magic to the dinner table:
- For a zesty and citrusy twist, you’ll adore the Roasted Orange Chicken—bright, juicy, and perfect for summer gatherings.
- If creamy comfort is your vibe, then dive into Creamy Dijon Chicken—it’s like a cozy hug in skillet form.
- Craving something hearty and comforting? Baked Chicken Stroganoff delivers rich, creamy goodness the whole family will love.
- For a touch of elegance without the fuss, Marsala Chicken Orzo brings wine-kissed flavor with every bite.
Each of these recipes brings a different flair to your chicken game, keeping dinnertime anything but boring!
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Kentucky Fried Chicken
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This homemade Kentucky Fried Chicken is crispy, golden, and bursting with Southern flavor. With a seasoned flour blend and buttermilk marinade, it’s the perfect comfort food for any night of the week.
Ingredients
1 whole chicken (cut into 8 pieces)
1 cup buttermilk
1 large egg (beaten)
2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup ground paprika
2 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons ground white pepper
1 tablespoon celery salt
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon dry ground mustard
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons dried basil
1½ teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon MSG (optional)
Vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
Cut chicken into 8 parts, discarding the carcass.
In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg. Add chicken, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to overnight.
In another large bowl, mix flour with all spices and seasoning.
Preheat oven to 175°F and prepare a baking sheet with a wire rack.
Heat 3 inches of vegetable oil in a deep fryer or Dutch oven to 350°F.
Remove chicken from buttermilk, coat thoroughly in flour mixture, and fry 3–4 pieces at a time for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Transfer fried chicken to prepared rack in oven while frying remaining pieces.
Once all pieces are fried, keep them in the oven for 10–15 minutes, ensuring internal temp reaches 165°F before serving.
Notes
Don’t skip the buttermilk marinade—it tenderizes and adds flavor.
You can substitute MSG with a pinch of extra salt or omit entirely.
A thermometer helps maintain consistent oil temperature for even frying.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus optional marinating time)
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 490 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg