KFC Extra Crispy Chicken (Copycat) Recipe - Food.com (2024)

• FRESH CHICKEN

• 1 premium quality fresh young roasting chicken, cut-up

• BRINE BASE

• 2 quarts cold water
• 2 tablespoons morton lite salt
• 2 teaspoons Accent seasoning

• SEASONED FLOUR

• ¹⁄₂ cup seasoning (Bulk KFC Original Recipe Seasoning (Copycat))
• 4 teaspoons cornflour or 4 teaspoons masa harina
• 1 tablespoon ground tellicherry black pepper
• 2 ¹⁄₂ teaspoons superfine sugar
• 2 teaspoons Accent seasoning
• 2 teaspoons celery salt
• 1 ¹⁄₄ teaspoons Lawry's Seasoned Salt
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon onion powder
• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon baking soda
• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¹⁄₈ teaspoon citric acid
• ¹⁄₈ teaspoon ground turmeric
• 3 ³⁄₄ cups self-rising flour
• ¹⁄₄ cup packed cornstarch

• WATER WASH

• 4 quarts water

• DEEP-FRYING FAT (I USE PEANUT OIL)

• vegetable oil or vegetable shortening

directions

• NOTES: USE ONLY SELF-RISING FLOUR (MAKE YOUR OWN, IF NECESSARY, FOLLOWING A TRUSTED RECIPE). YOU MAY USE MASA HARINA FLOUR (TAMALE FLOUR) IN PLACE OF CORN FLOUR. YOU MAY USE 1/4 TEASPOON LEMON PEPPER IN PLACE OF 1/8 TEASPOON CITRIC ACID. (STEP ONE): RINSE and blot chicken pieces; MIX 2 quarts (8 cups) cups cold water with 2 tablespoons morton lite salt and 2 teaspoons Accent seasoning in a large wide saucepan (with an accompanying lid) until dissolved; ADD chicken pieces; COVER and transfer to refrigerator; MARINATE chicken at least 4 hours in refrigerator, turning chicken as needed. NOTE: FOR A QUICKER STOVETOP MARINATION METHOD, PIERCE CHICKEN PIECES WELL WITH A FORK, THEN HEAT THE MARINADE WITH CHICKEN, COVERED, OVER LOW HEAT FOR 20-30 MINUTES (TURN CHICKEN ONCE MIDWAY THROUGH).
• INTO a large mixing bowl, add the SEASONED FLOUR ingredients except the self-rising flour and cornstarch; BREAK up any clumps if present, by hand or using the back of a spoon; WHISK well with a wire whisk until well blended; ADD 3 3/4 cups self-rising flour and 1/4 cup packed cornstarch; WHISK mixture well until thoroughly combined.
• ADD 4 quarts water to a large bowl or saucepan for the WATER WASH.
• REMOVE chicken from marinade with tongs; PLACE chicken into large bowl containing the SEASONED FLOUR and coat well; REMOVE chicken from seasoned flour bowl using tongs; PLACE chicken portions onto a platter; REPEAT procedures with remaining chicken pieces.
• DIP one piece breaded chicken using tongs, into the WATER WASH to wet completely; DROP wet chicken into the SEASONED FLOUR again and toss until slightly clumpy (you may flick water into breading to get more small clumps, which is what you want); PLACE double-breaded breaded chicken onto a platter to rest for 15-20 minutes.
• PREHEAT manufacturer's recommended amount of pure shortening or vegetable oil (or a blend of both) in deep-fryer to 315°F (OR) preheat enough fat to immerse chicken completely in deep heavy stovetop pot to 315°F - 325°F (use a heat-safe thermometer to gauge).
• PLACE breaded chicken to the elevated fry basket in deep-fryer without crowding; LOWER the basket slowly into the hot fat (or gently lower breaded chicken pieces using tongs into stovetop pot, turning once halfway through frying duration).
• FRY chicken between 16-20 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked, depending on chicken portions/sizes (juices should run clear when chicken is done).
• DRAIN on a wire rack over a paper towel-lined baking sheet; REPEAT the same cooking procedures until all chicken is fried. DRAIN chicken on a wire rack over a paper towel-lined baking sheet; TRANSFER rack over a baking sheet and keep chicken warmed in a preheated 170°F oven until serving.
• SERVE and enjoy!