Sophie Bennett
Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is known for its variety of fried chicken offerings, each with its unique flavours and textures catering to a range of tastes and preferences. The flagship offering, Original Recipe Chicken, is known for its secret blend of 11 herbs and spices, which has been used since 1939. KFC also offers Hot & Spicy Chicken, Kentucky Grilled Chicken, Extra Crispy Tenders, Popcorn Chicken, Nashville Hot Chicken, Georgia Gold Chicken, Smoky Mountain BBQ Chicken, and the Crispy Colonel Sandwich. While the exact recipe for the Original Recipe Chicken remains a closely guarded secret, there have been attempts to recreate it, and some of the herbs and spices believed to be included have been revealed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of herbs and spices | 11 |
| Type of chicken | Popcorn, Nashville hot, Georgia Gold, Smoky Mountain BBQ, Crispy Colonel Sandwich, Original Recipe, Hot & Spicy, Kentucky Grilled, Extra Crispy Tenders |
| Recipe | Secret |
| Year created | 1939 |
| Year finalized | 1940 |
| People who know the recipe | A few |
| Security measures | Intense |
| Recipe storage | In a vault at KFC's Louisville headquarters |
| Oil used for frying | Vegetable oil, palm and soybean oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil |
| Frying method | Pressure frying |
| Frying temperature | 350 °F (177 °C) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
KFC's Original Recipe Chicken
The Original Recipe Chicken features a double-breaded, flavourful, crispy, and golden-brown coating with tender and juicy chicken on the inside. The chicken is heavily coated in the spice mixture, dipped in water for seven seconds, dried for seven seconds, and then rolled in the mixture seven more times before frying. The chicken is then pressure fried in vegetable oil, which produces a crispy skin while keeping the meat moist.
In 1983, William Poundstone examined a sample of the coating mix and claimed it contained only flour, salt, monosodium glutamate, and black pepper. However, in 2016, a Chicago Tribune reporter was shown a handwritten recipe from a Sanders family scrapbook, which may contain the original 11 herbs and spices. The recipe was given to the reporter by Joe Ledington, Colonel Sanders' nephew, who claimed he helped blend the spices as a boy. However, Ledington later backtracked, saying he wasn't sure if it was the same recipe used by KFC today.
While the exact recipe remains a closely guarded secret, the Original Recipe Chicken has become synonymous with KFC, with the blend of 11 herbs and spices setting it apart from its competitors. The method of cooking, including pressure frying and heavy spice coating, also contributes to the unique taste and texture of KFC's Original Recipe Chicken.
Chicken Protein Content: How Many Grams in a Pound?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Hot & Spicy Chicken
KFC has been serving its famous fried chicken since 1930 and has been using the same 11 herbs and spices since 1939 when Colonel Sanders perfected his recipe. The exact recipe is a closely guarded secret, but that hasn't stopped people from trying to replicate it at home.
One of the flavors available at KFC is the Hot & Spicy Chicken. While KFC doesn't disclose the specific ingredients that make up this flavor, some customers have shared their thoughts on online forums. Some have compared it to Texas Chicken, finding it less dry and with a crispier breading that keeps the chicken moist. However, they also noted that it wasn't particularly spicy.
KFC's Hot & Spicy Chicken is available at select locations, particularly those near a Texas Chicken. For instance, the Manukau KFC in New Zealand offers this flavor on its menu.
While the exact recipe for Hot & Spicy Chicken remains a secret, some insights into KFC's signature 11 herbs and spices have been revealed over the years. In 2016, a reporter was shown a handwritten recipe from a Sanders family scrapbook, which was said to contain the original herbs and spices. While the authenticity of this recipe is debated, it provides a glimpse into the closely guarded world of KFC's flavor profile.
Preparing chicken the Colonel Sanders way involves heavily coating the pieces in the spice mixture and using a pressure fryer. Each piece of chicken is dipped in water for seven seconds, dried for seven seconds, and then rolled in the mixture seven times before frying. This process is believed to contribute to the unique taste and texture of KFC's chicken, including the Hot & Spicy variety.
The Chicken's AGT Piano Performance: How?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Georgia Gold Chicken
KFC, or Kentucky Fried Chicken, is known for its variety of fried chicken offerings, each with its unique flavours and textures. One of these offerings is the Georgia Gold Chicken.
The Georgia Gold Chicken is not the only flavour offered by KFC. The restaurant chain also offers other varieties of fried chicken, such as the Original Recipe Chicken, which is known for its secret blend of 11 herbs and spices, creating a crispy and golden-brown coating with tender and juicy chicken on the inside. For those who like their food with a kick, KFC offers Hot & Spicy Chicken, which features the same 11 herbs and spices as the Original Recipe but with added spiciness.
If you're looking for a healthier alternative, KFC's Kentucky Grilled Chicken is a great option. It's marinated and seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices, then grilled to perfection, offering a smoky and flavourful grilled taste without the deep frying. For those who prefer their chicken in bite-sized pieces, KFC's Popcorn Chicken is perfect for snacking or sharing. These bite-sized pieces are breaded and known for their poppable and flavourful nature, making them a popular choice for those who enjoy variety in their meal.
While the exact recipe for Georgia Gold Chicken may remain a closely guarded secret, it is clear that KFC offers a wide range of flavours and options to cater to different taste preferences. From the sweet and savoury Georgia Gold Chicken to the classic Original Recipe Chicken and the healthier Kentucky Grilled Chicken, KFC has something for everyone.
Why Not Enjoy a Movie and Chicken Night?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Popcorn Chicken
KFC's popcorn chicken was made by marinating small pieces of chicken and coating them in a heavily seasoned flour mixture. The chicken was marinated in buttermilk to keep the meat juicy, and the coating contained KFC's famous 11 secret herbs and spices. While KFC's popcorn chicken was reportedly soft and greasy, home cooks can achieve a crispier texture by using a combination of flour and cornflour.
While KFC popcorn chicken was a favourite for many, it appears to have been discontinued and replaced with chicken nuggets, which have received mixed reviews. Some people have suggested alternative places to get popcorn chicken, such as Sonic or home cooking brands like Perdue.
For those who want to recreate the taste of KFC's popcorn chicken at home, there are copycat recipes available that use similar ingredients to KFC's fried chicken recipes, with slight adjustments to suit the smaller size of popcorn chicken. These recipes allow people to enjoy the unique flavour of KFC's chicken in a fun, bite-sized form.
Protein Power: Full Chicken Protein Content
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The 11 herbs and spices
KFC's Original Recipe Chicken is famous for its secret blend of 11 herbs and spices. This flagship offering has a flavorful, crispy, and golden-brown coating with tender and juicy chicken on the inside. The recipe was perfected by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1939, and it has been a closely guarded secret ever since. In fact, it is said that only a few people know the true recipe, and it is protected by intense security measures.
While the exact ingredients remain a mystery, there have been some attempts to uncover the secret recipe. In 2016, a Chicago Tribune reporter was shown a handwritten recipe from a Sanders family scrapbook, provided by Colonel Sanders' nephew, Joe Ledington. This recipe, called "11 Spices," included two cups of flour mixed with the 11 herbs and spices. Ledington claimed that it was the original recipe, but later expressed uncertainty.
According to William Poundstone's book "Big Secrets," a sample of the coating mix he examined contained only flour, salt, monosodium glutamate, and black pepper. Sanders' former secretary, Shirley Topmiller, revealed that Sanders learned from his mother that sage and savory are good seasonings for chicken. Winston Shelton, a former friend of Sanders, confirmed that the recipe contains Tellicherry black pepper. It is also believed that Sanders sourced his secret blend of 11 herbs and spices from Bill Summers of Marion-Kay Spices in Brownstown, Indiana.
To prepare the chicken, each piece is dipped in water for seven seconds, dried for seven seconds, and then rolled in the spice mixture seven times before frying. The chicken is pressure-fried, a method discovered by Sanders to produce tasty, moist chicken in eight to nine minutes. This unique blend of 11 herbs and spices has become one of the most famous trade secrets in the catering industry, contributing to the popularity and longevity of KFC's Original Recipe Chicken.
Making Chicken Stock: To Crack or Not to Crack?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
KFC offers a variety of chicken flavors, including Original Recipe Chicken, Hot & Spicy Chicken, Kentucky Grilled Chicken, Extra Crispy Tenders, Popcorn Chicken, Nashville Hot Chicken, Georgia Gold Chicken, Smoky Mountain BBQ Chicken, and Crispy Colonel Sandwich.
KFC's Original Recipe Chicken is its flagship offering and features a secret blend of 11 herbs and spices. It has a crispy, golden-brown coating with tender and juicy chicken on the inside.
Hot & Spicy Chicken features the same 11 herbs and spices as the Original Recipe but with added spiciness.
Kentucky Grilled Chicken is a healthier alternative to KFC's traditional fried chicken offerings. It is marinated and seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices, then grilled to perfection, offering a smoky and flavorful grilled taste.
KFC's Extra Crispy Tenders are boneless strips of white meat chicken that are breaded and fried to crispy perfection, providing a convenient and delicious option for dipping.
