Recreating KFC at Home: A Crispy Chicken Success

I dared to take on a challenge of recreating KFC at home. With its iconic flavour and irresistible crunch, I knew it wouldn’t be easy. I mean, who doesn’t love KFC, right?

After a bit of experimenting (and a LOT of cleanup), the results were almost spot-on—except it was even crispier! The crunch, the flavour, and that KFC aroma? Pretty close, though I might’ve gone just a little heavier on the spices (no regrets), as it was so delicious!

Here’s how I did it:

Ingredients: 🍗

Marinade 🍗
1kg chicken ( thighs )
1.5 cup buttermilk
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt

After Marinade 🍗
To add and mix with the chicken
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 egg

Batter - Mix all 🍗
2 cups plain flour ( separate1/4 cup to mix with the chicken before coating)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
2-3 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for a bit of heat)
1 tsp baking powder

Oil for frying

Gravy 🍗
3 tbsp butter or chicken drippings (if available)
3 tbsp plain flour
2 cups chicken stock (homemade or good-quality store-bought)
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp garlic powder
1 tsp soy sauce (for colour and umami)
½ tsp black pepper
Salt to taste

Method 🍗

Marinate the chicken in buttermilk, salt and black pepper for at least 2-4 hours or overnight—it makes the meat super juicy.

Once marinated, add the whisked egg and the spices, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, baking powder, flour

Then mixed thoroughly with your hands to coat the chicken, set aside for at least 15-20 minutes.

In a separate bowl, mix the flour with all the spices.

Transfer the flour mixture to a container with a lid, add a few pieces of chicken, and shake the container to coat the chicken.

Fish out the coated chicken and repeat until every piece is coated.

Heat oil in a deep pan to 175°C (350°F) and fry the chicken in batches until golden and cooked through (about 10-12 minutes).

Let it rest on a wire rack to stay crispy.

Serve with salad, coleslaw and a KFC-like gravy!

Tender and juicy inside.

Crispy batter!

Paired well with the KFC-like gravy.

For the Gravy 🍗
Make a simple roux with butter and flour, whisk in chicken stock, season with garlic, onion powder, soy sauce, and pepper, then simmer until thick and smooth.

Did it taste like KFC? Almost.

Did it win over everyone at the table? Absolutely.

Honestly, it’s so much fun to make, and you get that finger-licking-good satisfaction without leaving home.

All I heard was hmm hmm hmm yummy.

Would you dare to try it? Let me know how it turns out!

Have a lovely day, everyone!

Mariah 💗😊