27 Copycat KFC Recipes That Go Beyond a Bucket of Chicken

Nettie Moore

April 23, 2024 at 11:58 AM·7 min read

Copycat KFC Coleslaw

We grew up eating Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) when my mom wanted to grab a quick dinner and didn’t feel like cooking for us kids after a long day at work. We would gobble up a big bucket of fried chicken, (their chicken legs were my favorite!), mashed potatoes, gravy, coleslaw and a roll slathered in butter always felt like a treat. I believe KFC has the best-tasting buttery biscuits and their fried chicken with its secret spices is addictive and delicious!

Since the nearest KFC is about 30 minutes away from me, we enjoy our favorites at home with these without traveling with these 27 copycat KFC recipes. My daughter is a mashed potato and gravy addict and my son can eat his weight in crunchy chicken tenders.

What is Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)?

KFC is an American fast-food restaurant chain that is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky that specializes in guess what?? Fried chicken!! Kentucky Fried Chicken is the world's second-largest restaurant chain right after McDonald's. That's a lot of fast-food restaurants.

Best KFC Chicken Recipe

There's something nostalgic about a bucket of KFC Original Recipe Chicken. It's comfort food to the max. Growing up, most of us didn't have parents that were willing to fry chicken at home, so KFC became something of a special occasion food. It made an appearance at block parties, birthday parties, holiday celebrations, and end-of-season sports tournaments, wowing us with its salty, greasy, spicy and flavorful crust. Make sure to grab a piece early so you can pick a piece of white or dark meat.

The original Colonel Sanders might have hated what the restaurant became after he sold, but I still think their chicken is "finger-lickin' good." So why should anyone even attempt to make it at home? For starters, it’s way less expensive, and you can use better-quality ingredients in your kitchen. You will see how much easier it is to make fried chicken that tastes as good (if not better) than what you'll find at KFC. But, you do need to know a few secrets along to way to ensure your chicken turns out juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.

How to Make KFC Chicken

KFC's chicken recipe isn't any more complicated than most fried chicken recipes, even though it does contain more ingredients. The flavorful coating is created by combining flour with 11 herbs and spices, so get ready to load up your grocery cart with salt, dried thyme, dried basil, dried oregano, celery salt, ground black pepper, ground yellow mustard, paprika, garlic salt, ground ginger, and ground white pepper. You'll need as much as a quarter cup of some of these spices, so make sure you have plenty on the spice rack before you get started.

KFC Menu's Most Ordered Items

KFC might be known for its fried chicken, but everyone knows they do know how to make their sides. Part of what makes that crispy, crunchy chicken taste so good is serving it with the best complementary foods. It's nearly impossible to choose our one-and-only favorite on their list of homestyle sides (KFC mashed potatoes and gravy are absolutely in the running). But, it's hard to leave the drive-thru window without a side of coleslaw. It's crunchy, creamy, and delicious, and there's something about the contrast between hot chicken and cold veggies that just works. It's refreshing, especially on a hot summer day or any day.

How Many Recipes Does KFC Have On Their Menu?

Along with the fan-favorite fried chicken, there are a total of 19 recipes on the menu including mashed potatoes and gravy, biscuits, coleslaw, mac and cheese, chicken tenders, bbq chicken, sandwiches, chicken pot pie and more!

Who Invented Fried Chicken?

Believe it or not, the Scots were the ones who invented fried chicken. They began deep-frying chicken in fat and created an extra crispy texture with very juicy meat. I am so thankful that they did, it's one of my favorite meals ever!