KFC Crispy Chicken Seasoning Hack (Printable Version)

A flavorful secret spice blend and buttermilk marinade create irresistibly crispy chicken with classic southern style.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 8 pieces skin-on, bone-in chicken (drumsticks, thighs, or breasts)

→ Marinade

02 - 1 cup buttermilk
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Seasoned Flour (Spice Blend)

05 - 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
06 - 2 teaspoons paprika
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
14 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
15 - 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
16 - 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
17 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
18 - 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
19 - 1 teaspoon salt

→ For Frying

20 - 4 cups vegetable oil

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, salt, and black pepper. Add chicken pieces and turn to coat evenly. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight for enhanced flavor.
02 - Combine all seasoned flour ingredients in a separate bowl and mix thoroughly to ensure spices are evenly distributed.
03 - Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge pieces in seasoned flour, pressing firmly to apply an even coating. Place coated pieces on a rack and rest for 10 minutes to help the coating adhere.
04 - Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 340°F (170°C).
05 - Fry chicken in batches without overcrowding for 12 to 15 minutes, turning occasionally to achieve uniform golden brown color. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
06 - Transfer fried chicken to a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The buttermilk marinade keeps chicken impossibly juicy inside while the spice blend delivers that addictive KFC-restaurant flavor everyone recognizes instantly.
  • Crusty, shattering coating that stays crispy for hours—perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd without last-minute stress.
  • Once you nail this spice blend, you'll find yourself making it for everything from wings to pork chops.
02 -
  • Double-dip if you want maximum crispiness—after the first flour coating, dunk chicken back into buttermilk, then flour again and rest 10 minutes more. The second coating creates layers that shatter like glass.
  • White pepper is non-negotiable if you want authentic KFC flavor; black pepper specks look less refined and white pepper delivers subtle heat without visual distraction.
  • Oil temperature is everything—a thermometer eliminates guessing and is the single most important tool for success.
03 -
  • A thermometer for oil temperature is the single most valuable tool—skip the fancy deep fryer and use a heavy pot with an instant-read thermometer clipped to the side.
  • Save your spice blend in a sealed jar after the first batch and you'll find yourself making this chicken constantly—the upfront mixing work pays dividends.
Go Back