KFC’s Original Secret Chicken Recipe

 

KFC’s “Original Recipe” for fried chicken is one of the most famous trade secrets in the food industry — but there’s a widely believed version that was accidentally revealed in 2016.

Here’s what’s known:

🧂 The Alleged Original Recipe

In 2016, the Chicago Tribune published what it claimed to be the handwritten recipe from Colonel Sanders’ nephew’s scrapbook. It lists 11 herbs and spices mixed with 2 cups of flour:

The 11 Herbs and Spices

1. 2/3 tablespoon salt
2. 1/2 tablespoon thyme
3. 1/2 tablespoon basil
4. 1/3 tablespoon oregano
5. 1 tablespoon celery salt
6. 1 tablespoon black pepper
7. 1 tablespoon dried mustard
8. 4 tablespoons paprika
9. 2 tablespoons garlic salt
10. 1 tablespoon ground ginger
11. 3 tablespoons white pepper

Mix these with 2 cups of all-purpose flour to coat the chicken.

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🍗 Basic Cooking Method (Home Version)

1. Marinate chicken pieces in buttermilk (optional, 2–12 hours).
2. Coat the chicken in the seasoned flour mixture.
3. Rest coated chicken on a rack for 15–20 minutes.
4. Fry at 325°F (160°C) in vegetable shortening or oil until golden brown and fully cooked (about 15–18 minutes for bone-in pieces).
5. Drain on paper towels before serving.

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⚠️ Note

• The exact KFC recipe and process (pressure frying, proprietary flavoring, and specific supplier blends) are still trade secrets.
• This version, however, has been tested by food writers and said to taste very close to the real thing.

Would you like me to give you a scaled recipe (e.g., for 1 kg of chicken) or the exact preparation steps to mimic the KFC texture (including brining and double-coating)?