Copycat Kentucky Fried Chicken Recipe

Easy copycat Kentucky Fried Chicken recipe for the crispiest chicken ever. Juicy chicken drumsticks fried quickly then baked to perfection & so flavorful. OR make a healthy fried chicken in air fryer without flour version that is gluten free.

Here is an easy copycat KFC recipe similar to our fried chicken legs but with their special seasonings. You and your kids will absolutely love them. Instead of frying it is just done quickly to really crisp the skin. Then baked so the inside is super juicy. (originally published 11/17, affiliate links present)

Copycat Kentucky Fried Chicken

Ever wonder how KFC makes their chicken so crunchy yet juicy inside and packed with flavor? We have tips on how to make extra crispy chicken skin while keeping the meat fork tender. Below is in the oven, you can follow our Try our air fryer KFC fried chicken sandwich recipe too if you have that machine.

This is a great dinner idea, and really inexpensive too. This is how it starts right? With chicken legs and all of those flavors you think of when you sink your hand into that big bucket, we will share with you how this deliciousness is done!!

Kentucky Fried Chicken Recipe

Now you could use any piece(s) you want but kids love this one since fried chicken legs are so easy to pick up right? A splatter screen is helpful too so you can prevent it spits the oil may give off.

1. Chicken drumsticks
2. Flour
3. Eggs – this is how to bread chicken without eggs
4. Oil
5. Spices

Seriously, that is really it!! It really couldn’t be much easier. If you have a dutch oven it is great for frying these as it has a high side and really submerges the legs well. If you’re looking for a cheap meal that your whole family will love you should try this, and serve it with a side like our Instant Pot potato salad or a creamy pasta salad that is easy to throw together too.

If you have a wok that works well too, or just a pan over the stovetop that has a high side. The most important thing to remember and what you should read first is How Hot Should Oil be for Fried Chicken to perfection.

Copycat KFC Chicken Legs

To make really crispy chicken the key is to dip, coat, and dip again in your flavorful flour mixture. The double coating really makes it more KFC like and how they get that extra crispiness. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Soak the chicken legs in salt water for up to 24 hrs if possible for optimal results.

1. Put eggs in one bowl and flour and spices mixed in another bowl.
2. Beat the eggs and dredge each chicken leg in the flour, then the egg, and then flour once more.
3. Put coated drumstick on a cooling rack and do this to all other drumsticks.
4. Heat oil in dutch oven or large pan over medium/high heat.
5. Fry each leg in batches of 3-4 for about 3 or so minutes each until coating is golden brown.
6. Remove each leg and put on cooling rack to drain excess oil until all legs are done.
7. Leave chicken legs on cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet and put in oven for 35-45 minutes or until the internal meat temperature reads 165 degrees F. Enjoy

It isn’t hard and is so worth it to dip just one more time each drumstick to really coat it well. We share here how to make air fryer fried chicken and air fryer fried chicken breast too. NO oil necessary for this one.

If you’re having people over or having a picnic these are great too to bring along. Just finish them, wrap in foil and take them with you or serve outside on a sunny day with a few yummy side dishes.

Looking for other comfort food recipe favorites, here are a few more:

• Air fried chicken fried steak, air fryer fried chicken thighs or traditional fried steak is great
• How to bake crispy chicken wings is shared here. There is definitely a kitchen hack to these.
• Spicy honey Instant Pot chicken is oh so wonderful for sure.

Copycat KFC chicken

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Copycat Kentucky Fried Chicken Recipe

Easy copycat Kentucky Fried Chicken recipe for the crispiest chicken ever. Juicy chicken drumsticks fried quickly then baked to perfection & so flavorful.

Course Entree, Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword chicken, copycat, kentucky fried chicken

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 55 minutes minutes

Servings 10

Calories 1615kcal

Author The Typical Mom

Equipment

• 1 Bowl
• 1 pan

Ingredients

• 10 chicken drumsticks
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 fsp salt
• 2 c flour
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• 1/2 tsp basil
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried mustard powder
• 4 tsp paprika
• 2 tsp garlic salt
• 3 tsp white pepper
• 7+ c oil

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
• Soak the chicken legs in salt water for up to 24 hrs if possible for optimal results.
• Put eggs in one bowl and flour and spices mixed in another bowl.
• Beat the eggs and dredge each chicken leg in the flour, then the egg, and then flour once more.
• Put coated drumstick on a cooling rack and do this to all other drumsticks.
• Heat oil in dutch oven or large pan over medium/high heat.
• Fry each leg in batches of 3-4 for about 3 or so minutes each until coating is golden brown.
• Remove each leg and put on cooling rack to drain excess oil until all legs are done.
• Leave legs on cooling rack and place on top of a cookie sheet. Put in oven to bake for 35-45 minutes or until the thermometer reads 165 degrees F.
• Enjoy

Video

Nutrition Facts

Copycat Kentucky Fried Chicken Recipe

Amount Per Serving (5 oz)

Calories 1615 Calories from Fat 1485

% Daily Value*

Fat 165g254%

Saturated Fat 13g81%

Cholesterol 102mg34%

Sodium 583mg25%

Potassium 228mg7%

Carbohydrates 20g7%

Fiber 1g4%

Protein 17g34%

Vitamin A 535IU11%

Vitamin C 0.2mg0%

Calcium 20mg2%

Iron 2.1mg12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.