KFC Original Recipe Fried Chicken

By AzWench

In 1993 I published my first version of this famous fried chicken in the book that started it all "Top Secret Recipes". Since then, I have developed over 1,000 secret recipes and have learned a lot about reverse-engineering foods. But now, after 3 very intense days at KFC Headquarters, I have finally gathered enough clues to create a recipe that I believe is a perfect match to the KFC Original Fried Chicken.

Ingredients

• Brine:
• 1 frying chicken cut into 8 pieces
• 8 cups water
• 1/3 cup salt
• 1 tablespoon MSG
• 6 to 10 cups soybean oil (vegetable oil)
• Breading:
• 9 ounces all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon MSG (monosodium glutamate)
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground tellicherry pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground savory
• 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground majoram
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• Dredge:
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups skim milk

Details

Servings 4
Adapted from topsecretrecipes.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. Dissolve 1/3 cup salt and 1 tablespoon MSG in 8 cups water. Add chicken and marinate for 2 hours. Remove chicken from brine, rinse with water and blot dry.

2. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 300° F.

3. Make the breading by combining all ingredients in a large bowl.

4. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and then stir in the milk.

5. When the oil is hot, dip each piece of chicken in the egg and milk mixture and then press into the breading. Toss each chicken piece in the breading until well-coated, let chicken sit for 2 minutes in the breading, shake off the excess breading and fry 2 to 4 pieces at a time (or whatever your fryer can hold) for 18 to 20 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown. Drain chicken on a rack for at least 5 minutes before serving.

TIDBITS

This recipe is for deep frying. If pressure frying, cooking time will be shortened to 12 to 14 minutes.

If you want to keep the chicken warm until it's all cooked, place the fried pieces on a rack on a baking sheet and keep them in your oven set to 200° F.