Description
Crispy, flavorful homemade fried chicken that recreates the beloved KFC taste with a perfect blend of herbs and spices. This recipe features a buttermilk marinade and secret seasoning blend for extra tender, juicy chicken with an irresistibly crunchy coating.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1–2 whole chicken (or bone-in chicken pieces)
- 1/2 litre buttermilk
- 1/2 cup pickle juice
- Hot sauce (to taste)
- 1 tsp salt (for marinade)
- 1.5 cups flour
- 1/2 cup corn starch
- 2 tsp salt (for dredge)
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp dried mustard
- 3 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 3 tsp white pepper
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp chicken bouillon (crushed)
- Frying oil (enough for deep frying)
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Mix buttermilk, pickle juice, hot sauce, and 1 tsp salt in a large bowl to create marinade.
- Add chicken pieces to marinade, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, 2 tsp salt, oregano, thyme, basil, onion powder, garlic powder, dried mustard, paprika, ground ginger, white pepper, black pepper, and crushed chicken bouillon.
- Heat frying oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot.
- Remove chicken from marinade and dredge each piece thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure coating adheres.
- Carefully place chicken pieces in hot oil, avoiding overcrowding. Fry for 12-15 minutes for bone-in pieces, turning once halfway through.
- Remove chicken when golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Drain on paper towels and season with salt to taste while hot.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
- Marinate chicken for at least 4 hours, but overnight is preferred for maximum flavor and tenderness
- Maintain oil temperature at 350°F (175°C) for best results
- Don’t overcrowd the fryer – cook in batches if necessary
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F (74°C)
- The cornstarch in the flour mixture creates extra crispiness
- Pickle juice is a secret ingredient that adds subtle tang and helps tenderize the meat
- Let chicken rest after frying to keep it juicy
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (leg or thigh)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: KFC style fried chicken, homemade fried chicken, crispy fried chicken, buttermilk fried chicken, southern fried chicken, copycat KFC recipe, seasoned fried chicken