KFC has been serving its world-famous fried chicken since 1930 — and using the same 11 herbs and spices since 1939 when Colonel Sanders perfected his recipe. Everyone knows that the Colonel's herb and spice mix is top secret, but that won't stop us from trying to find out what's in it.
Kentucky Fried Chicken claims that the secret recipe is only known by a few people and is protected by intense security measures. The original handwritten recipe is securely kept inside a vault at KFC's headquarters in Louisville. Additionally, KFC employs various companies to contribute different ingredients to the recipe — so not even they could know the full recipe.
Even KFC's nutritional guide doesn't give anything away — the fried chicken ingredients simply include "Colonel's Secret Original Recipe Seasoning." This all amounts to either a very clever marketing ploy or an impressive feat.
However, in 2016 we came as close as we've ever been to knowing the 11 herbs and spices used at KFC when a reporter was shown a handwritten recipe from a Sanders family scrapbook.
What Are Kentucky Fried Chicken's 11 Herbs and Spices?
According to the recipe, which is called 11 Spices, the top-secret ingredients (and measurements) include:
- 2/3 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon basil
- 1/3 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried mustard
- 4 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3 teaspoons white pepper
The spices are mixed with 2 cups of flour to create the iconic KFC breading.
Is This the Real Herbs and Spices Recipe?
The recipe was given to a Chicago Tribune reporter by Joe Ledington, Colonel Sanders' nephew. He claimed that the recipe contains the original 11 herbs and spices he helped Colonel Sanders blend as a boy for the restaurants. However, after sharing the recipe, Ledington back peddled a bit and said he wasn't absolutely sure if it was the same recipe that is so closely guarded at KFC headquarters today. But he did note the prevalence of white pepper.
Of course, KFC denies that this recipe is authentic — however, would they admit it if it was real? The herbs and spices mixture is one of the best-kept fast food secrets, and KFC isn't keen on letting the secret slip anytime soon.
While we may never know if Ledington's recipe is correct, that won't stop us from trying to recreate KFC's fried chicken at home. Whether you try this recipe, or another copycat recipe (like user M Karen's KFC-Style Spice for Chicken recipe), there are two things you can do to get Colonel Sanders-approved chicken: heavily coat the pieces in the spice mixture and use a pressure fryer.
How KFC Chicken Is Made
Even though the spice blend is a guarded mystery, we do know a bit about how the chicken is made. 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 (sevens must have been lucky for the Colonel). To replicate this method, coat the chicken in dredging flour with seasoning, then shake off the excess, and repeat the process six more times.
It's also no secret that the Colonel pressure fried his chicken to get that crispy skin. Though we know that not everyone owns a pressure fryer, so the pressure cooker or deep fryer is the next best thing.
Whether or not this is the true top secret recipe or not, it will still produce some finger lickin' good fried chicken.
FAQs
The recipe is not patented, because patents are published in detail and come with an expiration date, whereas trade secrets can remain the intellectual property of their holders in perpetuity. KFC uses its Original Recipe as a means to differentiate its product from its competitors.
What is KFC chicken coating made of? ›
Copycat KFC Original Recipe Chicken EXACTLY how the Colonel makes it 🔥 Secret Herb & Spice Mix: - 2.5 cups of flour - 2 teaspoons of Salt - 3 teaspoons of Paprika - 2 teaspoons of Dried Mustard - 2 teaspoons of Garlic Powder - 1.5 teaspoons of Onion Powder - 1 teaspoon of Dried Thyme - 1 teaspoon of Dried Basil - 1 ...
Why does KFC only follow 11? ›
Their recipe uses 11 herbs and spices, so that's exactly who they follow on Twitter. Don't believe us? Well, the 11 people KFC follows on Twitter are: the five former members of the pop group The Spice Girls, and six men named Herb.
What is the ingredient list for KFC chicken? ›
Original Recipe® Chicken Fresh chicken. Breaded in: Wheat flour, Salt, Monosodium glutamate, Spices, Dehydrated garlic, Modified milk ingredients, Dried egg white (Egg white, Baker's yeast, Citric acid). Cooked in: Canola oil (Dimethylpolysiloxane (Antifoaming agent), TBHQ). Contains: Wheat, Milk, Egg.
What is the KFC trade secret lawsuit? ›
Plaintiffs allege that their method for preparing the skinless fried chicken was a trade secret and that KFC misappropriated that trade secret and used it to develop their own version of skinless fried chicken.
Why is KFC not popular in the US? ›
Key issues include relatively slow service and lack of menu innovation. In the US, speed and service quality are paramount, posing a hurdle for KFC. The business has also suffered persistent problems with suppliers over the years. KFC has often stressed menu innovations, such as introducing boneless chicken in the US.
Why did KFC apologize? ›
KFC has apologised after sending a promotional message to customers in Germany, urging them to commemorate Kristallnacht with cheesy chicken. The Nazi-led series of attacks in the country in 1938 left more than 90 Jewish people dead, and destroyed Jewish-owned businesses and places of worship.
What oil is KFC chicken cooked in? ›
KFC products are fried in oil which may contain the following: Canola Oil and Hydrogenated Soybean Oil with TBHQ and Citric Acid Added To Protect Flavor, Dimethylpolysiloxane, an Antifoaming Agent Added OR Low Linolenic Soybean Oil, TBHQ and Citric Acid Added To Protect Flavor, Dimethylpolysiloxane, an Antifoaming ...
What is KFC gravy made of? ›
What is the gravy at KFC made of? The restaurant uses a simple combination of gravy powder, water, and – their secret ingredient – chicken crackling. This is a collection of the browned bits and pieces leftover from frying their world famous chicken.
Does KFC have any patents? ›
KFC has a total of 21 patents globally, out of which 19 have been granted.
Brands' KFC Division, holds a commemorative representation of the 11 secret herbs and spices at KFC headquarters in 2008 in Louisville, Ky.
Is the KFC logo copyrighted? ›
The first trademark registration likely involved the iconic KFC name or its distinctive logo, securing its brand identity and ensuring exclusivity. As a major fast-food chain, KFC actively monitors its trademarks to safeguard against infringement.
Is fried chicken patented? ›
On this day in 1962 Harlan Sanders, also known as Colonel Sanders, filed the patent for PROCESS OF PRODUCING FRIED CHICKEN UNDER PRESSURE for Kentucky Fried Chicken Corporation.
