It can be hard to replicate KFC’s famous fried chicken; attempting to make it in your own kitchen never seems to work out. If you’ve ever tried and failed to make your own crispy, yet soft and flavorful fried chicken for dinner, you’re in luck. Our Crispy Fried Chicken recipe is sure to hit the spot and might even taste better than the stuff you get from Colonel Sanders.
This dinner recipe will only take you about 30 minutes, and home chefs that have tried it rave about the delicious outcome. “My son and I made this recipe for supper last night and we were so happy with the results! I’m in my early 50s and this chicken tastes how KFC chicken used to taste,” reader Alisa shared after giving the recipe five stars. “It is not as salty as some of the recipes that we have tried, and we really liked the subtle flavors of the herbs (in the poultry seasoning). Definitely a winner!” Make sure you use this trick to know when your chicken is done cooking.
Taste of Home
It’s no surprise that over 200,000 people have viewed this fried chicken recipe—and that high number only accounts for the home cooks that have viewed it this year! Around 4,500 people view the recipe daily. Follow these tips that’ll help you deep fry at home with confidence.
Using oil to cook the chicken can get a little messy, but the end result is well worth it. If you’re worried about getting splashed with oil, get your own deep fryer to help make the cooking process easier and safer.
Test Kitchen tip: Is your chicken failing to crisp? It’s probably because the heat of your oil is too low. Use a thermometer routinely to check that the oil is at 350°. Have patience and fry the chicken 2-3 pieces at a time. If you add too much to the pot, the temperature will drop too quick, giving your chicken a soggy coating.
Check out the recipe in action below to get a better idea of how you can cook this up yourself. Just a heads up, you might want to double it, because your family is sure to gobble all the chicken up before you have a chance to sit down. Even if you’re a skeptic, you should still try your hand at making this basic fried chicken recipe, and add it to these other recipes everyone should know by the time they’re 35.
What's not to love with these crowd-pleasing golden fried chicken strips? A hint of garlic makes this fried chicken tenders recipe irresistible. —Genise Krause, Sturgeon Bay, WI
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Got leftovers? Here's how to reheat fried chicken and keep it crispy.
Crispy, juicy and perfectly seasoned, this really is the best fried chicken recipe, ever. Summer reunions and neighborly gatherings will never be the same. When I was growing up, my parents had a farm, and every year, Dad would hire teenage boys to help by haying time. They looked forward to coming because they knew they would be treated to some of Mom's deep fryer recipes, including this delicious fried chicken. —Lola Clifton, Vinton, Virginia
I live in Tennessee and absolutely love our state's famous Nashville hot chicken. To make cooking it easier, I thought I’d try air-frying. I’m so glad I did—this Nashville hot chicken recipe is almost better than the original. —April Lane, Greeneville, Tennessee
For game days, I shake up these saucy wings. When I run out, friends hover by the snack table until I bring out more. When they ask me how to fry chicken wings, they never believe it's so easy! —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
As a boy, I wolfed down my grandmother's fried chicken. I never knew how she made it, but my recipe using potato flakes is crispy close. —David Nelson, Lincolnton, North Carolina
This cornmeal fried chicken dish perks up the dinner table. Its flavorful cornmeal/bread-crumb coating is a good variation form the usual. —Deborah Williams, Peoria, Arizona
These lemon-pepper wings are perfect for game day. Try these out if you've been stuck in a chicken wing rut. Add grated lemon zest to the butter mixture if you want a more pronounced lemon flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
One of my mom's favorite chicken recipes used fresh sage. Her version was smothered with gravy, but we like these panko-crusted tenders as they are. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan
This fabulous recipe uses Greek yogurt to create an amazing marinade that makes the chicken incredibly moist. No one will guess that it has been lightened up and is not even fried! — Kim Wallace, Dennison, Ohio
I developed this recipe specifically to copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets. The first time I made them I knew I had a winner because the whole family fought over who got the last one! For a dipping sauce, combine equal parts barbecue sauce and Dijon mustard, then stir in honey to taste. —Jeni Pittard, Statham, Georgia
Almost everyone in my family requests these golden chicken fingers as their birthday dinner entree. I begin marinating the chicken strips early in the day to cut down on last-minute fuss. —Charlotte Baillargeon, Hinsdale, Massachusetts
If you've wanted to learn how to make crispy fried chicken, this is the recipe for you. Always a picnic favorite, this deep fried chicken recipe is delicious either hot or cold. Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken! —Jeanne Schnitzler, Lima, Montana
I was looking for ways to spice up traditional chicken nuggets and came up with this recipe. The chips add a crunchy texture and flavor, while the meat is tender on the inside. —Kristina Segarra, Yonkers, New York
It's almost impossible to improve crispy fried chicken. A sprinkling of ranch dressing mix in the coating makes it happen, though. The empty-in-seconds serving platter is proof. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
I recently made this recipe of Mom's for my in-laws and they told me it was the "best fried chicken ever." Slicing the chicken breasts into strips cuts down on cooking time and ensures every piece is crunchy and evenly coated. Serve the homemade chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce. —Genny Monchamp, Redding, California
I call this America’s best-loved oven-fried chicken. The secret is in the breading, which makes the chicken super moist and flavorful, herby and golden brown. —Elaina Morgan, Rickman, Tennessee
For our family, it's not a picnic unless we have fried chicken! Chicken, deviled eggs and potato salad are all musts for a picnic as far as my husband is concerned. This is a golden oldie recipe for me—I've used it any number of times. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
We enjoy eating these chicken wings while watching football on TV, but make them for any special occasion for a crowd favorite! The pepper sauce gives just the right amount of heat.—Della Clutts, New Tazewell, Tennessee
For a picnic on the Pigeon River, we made chicken marinated in yogurt with a touch of cayenne. It’s delectable warm or cold. —Lib Jicha, Waynesville, North Carolina