KFC’s Secret Chicken (no buttermilk)

Name: KFC’s Secret Chicken (no buttermilk)
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Chicken pieces; Flour (for dredge); Eggs; Oil (for frying); 2/3 tablespoon salt; 1/2 tablespoon thyme; 1/2 tablespoon basil; 1/3 tablespoon oregano; 1 tablespoon celery salt; 1 tablespoon black pepper; 1 tablespoon dried mustard; 4 tablespoons paprika; 2 tablespoons garlic salt; 1 tablespoon ground ginger; 3 tablespoons white pepper

4 steps

Prep:25minCook:15min

Crispy fried chicken inspired by the original KFC method—no buttermilk. Chicken is coated in eggs and a flour dredge packed with 11 herbs and spices, then fried until golden and juicy.

Updated at: Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:54:25 GMT

Nutrition balance score

Unbalanced

Glycemic Index

Low

Glycemic Load

Low

Nutrition per serving

Calories170.3 kcal (9%)

Total Fat9.7 g (14%)

Carbs13.3 g (5%)

Sugars0.9 g (1%)

Protein9.9 g (20%)

Sodium5093.7 mg (255%)

Fiber5 g (18%)

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Ingredients

4 servings

½ tablespoonthyme

½ tablespoonbasil

⅓ tablespoonoregano

1 tablespooncelery salt

1 tablespoonblack pepper

1 tablespoondried mustard

4 tablespoonspaprika

2 tablespoonsgarlic salt

1 tablespoonground ginger

3 tablespoonswhite pepper

Instructions

Step 1

Prepare the dredge: In another bowl, mix the flour with all 11 “secret” herbs and spices. Stir until well combined.

Step 2

Season and marinate the chicken: Place your chicken pieces into a bowl. Add a little bit of 11 spice mix before adding all to dredge and crack in your eggs. Get your hands dirty and mix until the chicken is fully coated. Let your chicken rest for at least 20 minutes so the flavor sinks in. (No buttermilk needed — if it was good enough for the Colonel, it’s good enough for us.)

Step 3

Coat the chicken: Place your chicken into the flour mixture, pressing firmly to make sure every piece is coated evenly. Shake off any extra flour.

Step 4

Fry: Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry your chicken for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Make sure the inside reaches 165°F (74°C).