I LOVE a good chicken recipe, and one of the things I love about this Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe (with instructions on how to make this Keto friendly below!) is that there is a secret way to make it! Did you know this isn’t actually fried at all? Read more to find out our secret to the most amazing copycat KFC Chicken Recipe, EVER!
If you have been following me on Instagram you have probably seen my attempts at my copycat KFC Chicken recipe. You would probably also know that I finally figured it out! After numerous attempts, I have finally ended up with a delicious and authentic tasting copycat KFC chicken recipe. It’s so deliciously amazing, I can’t wait to share it with you!
Get your shopping list ready, because this is going to be dinner tonight! (Ok, I will tone down the excitement.)
Baked and not fried Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe
Why do I love this copycat KFC chicken recipe so much? What’s the BIG SECRET behind making the most delicious chicken? It’s BAKED. I am not much for frying things, and while this isn’t the highest on the “healthy” list, it is a bit healthier than the fried versions.
But does this taste just as good if it is baked? Well yes, yes, yes it does! In fact, this is so close to authentic KFC chicken that my youngest is always asking for it. We have this on our meal plan at least once every other month. It’s relatively simple, and if I can do this, you can, too.
What ingredients do I need for the Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe?
Here is a list of ingredients needed on hand:
- bone in chicken breasts
- flour (coconut flour is Keto friendly)
- panko
- salt
- pepper
- paprika
- oregano (optional)
- cayenne (optional)
- cup butter (melted)
- butter milk
- spray butter
Instructions:
Heat oven to 400.
In a bowl mix well the flour, panko, salt, 1 tsp pepper, paprika, cayenne, and oregano.
In a second bowl pour in buttermilk.
Pour 1/2 cup melted butter into a prepared 9 x 13 baking dish.
How do I make a Copycat KFC Chicken recipe?
Take chicken breasts and dip into buttermilk. Then dip into flour mixture (use coconut flour if you are making this Keto friendly), coating both sides well. Once coated, place into the 9 x 13 baking dish. Once all of the chicken is placed into the dish, cover with the remaining tsp of pepper.
Place in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. Open oven and using spray butter, coat the top of the chicken. Place back into the oven and bake another 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, open the oven and spray another coat of butter over the chicken. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked thoroughly through.
Allow to cool and serve with your favorite sides!
I tried so many different versions of this recipe and I finally ended up with what I think is the most delicious copycat KFC Chicken recipe there is! I can’t wait for you to give it a try, you will be happy you did!
Are you looking for other delicious recipes like this copycat KFC chicken recipe? We have a TON of recipes we love to share. You can find them all here, but if you love Instant Pots, I would try this delicious Instant Pot Hawaiian Chicken recipe. It’s so YUMMY and super easy to make.
If you liked this recipe, you might also enjoy these Crock Pot Chicken Wings, they are PERFECT for game day!
Enjoy your finger-lickin’ chicken! Did you make this recipe? Leave us a comment and tell us what you think!
Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- bone in chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup panko
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp oregano optional
- 1/2 tsp cayenne optional
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1 cup butter milk
- spray butter
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400.
- In a bowl mix together well the flour, panko, salt, 1 tsp pepper, paprika, cayenne, and oregano.
- In a second bowl pour in butter milk.
- Pour 1/2 cup melted butter into a prepared 9 x 13 baking dish.
- Take chicken breasts and dip into butter milk. Then dip into flour mixture, coating both sides well. Once coated, place into the 9 x 13 baking dish. Once all of the chicken is placed into the dish, cover with the remaining tsp of pepper.
- Place in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. Open oven and using spray butter, coat the top of the chicken. Place back into the oven and bake another 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, open oven and spray another coat of butter over the chicken. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked thoroughly through.
- Allow to cool and serve with your favorite sides!
Notes
- Make this Keto friendly by substituting regular flour for coconut flour.
- The secret to extra crispy chicken is to spray butter and rotate the chicken often while baking.
Nutrition
Seana+Turner says
February 2, 2015 at 09:32I will definitely try it.. I love KFC. And the fact that this isn’t even fried is terrific. I’m not up for the mess that frying makes:)
Tamara says
February 3, 2015 at 17:07Yum. I pinned this today but wanted to come over and compliment it. I love the idea of good fried chicken but KFC makes me sick! Well I don’t eat it but the idea of it doesn’t sit well.
So I love homemade.
Elaine Hodges says
February 9, 2015 at 11:33Can’t wait to try this!
Stopping by from Bouquet of Talent Linky Party
Mary Ellen says
February 9, 2015 at 23:48Looks delicious. Pinned.
Lori Hart says
February 10, 2015 at 12:18I HAVE to try this. Found your recipe at the Two Cup Tuesday Link Party. I am the hostesses of Tickle My Tastebuds and would love you to stop by and link up this recipe. Here is the link
http://bit.ly/195w1zy
Lori
Amanda says
February 10, 2015 at 14:55Man, that looks heavenly!!
Jennifer says
February 10, 2015 at 16:08It’s completely heavenly!
Ellen says
August 12, 2015 at 12:04Hi Jen,
For the spray could I use an olive oil spray?
Jennifer says
August 15, 2015 at 10:56You probably could try that. Give it a go!
Diane Roark says
February 10, 2015 at 20:00Jennifer,
Fried Chicken is my favorite food ever. Thank you so much for stopping by Wonderful Wednesday blog hop and linking up.
Blessings and sharing the love!
Diane Roark
recipesforourdailybread
ouramericantravels
James Oliver says
February 10, 2015 at 22:07OK, I made it and it was deeeeeeeeelicious!
I deviated from the recipe a bit b/c I don’t have spray butter, so I covered it and cooked it at 375. Then uncovered it for a bit, then flipped it and cooked it a bit longer.
I assume you were spraying it to keep it from drying out.
I also doubled the amount of salt and went for the oregano and cayenne pepper.
Lip smackin’ good. Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer says
February 11, 2015 at 07:59That’s awesome! I am so glad you liked it.
sheilah boswell says
February 10, 2015 at 23:10I tried this tonight and it was fantastic!! Juicy but not greasy and the seasoning was perfect! Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer says
February 11, 2015 at 07:58So glad you tried it and loved it as much as we do!
Brandi+Clevinger says
February 11, 2015 at 20:14I’m so glad to see this recipe! KFC is no longer available where I live and chicken is a staple here in the South!
Thanks for sharing at Inspire Me Mondays!
Debbie Howard says
February 11, 2015 at 21:12Yum! This sounds so good.
Amanda @ Diary of a Semi-Health Nut says
February 14, 2015 at 12:37Thanks for linking up to Inspire Me Monday! Your link was the most clicked on..woot! Looks delish! 🙂
Lindsay+Eidahl says
February 15, 2015 at 16:13Thank you for sharing on Show Me Saturday! Pinning!
Sinea+Pies says
February 17, 2015 at 19:17This recipe sounds so wonderful. Guess what, it was so popular on last week’s blog hop that you are featured THIS week!
Jennifer says
February 17, 2015 at 19:55Thanks so much! It’s such a delicious recipe. I LOVE to make it here and it’s always a big hit!
Katie Crafts says
February 18, 2015 at 12:02This looks amazing and I cannot wait to try it!!! I have buttermilk in my fridge right now, so it may be a weekend pick!
Stephanie says
February 19, 2015 at 11:11This looks INCREDIBLE! I’m so glad that you worked so hard to master this and have shared it with us, I’m so excited to make it! 🙂
Linda says
March 23, 2015 at 23:57Definitely want to try this, but I have a quick question. Is paprika used? In the beginning of the blog, 1 tsp of paprika is listed as an ingredient. However it is not listed in the printable version, nor is it referenced in the step by step instructions. I just wanted to clarify before beginning this recipe, thank you.
Jennifer says
March 24, 2015 at 14:08yes! Sorry, I add it to the mixture of flour. I will go and edit it in. Thanks for catching that! 🙂
Patricia says
April 9, 2015 at 16:41This looks excellent but I do have a question. Have you tried making it with smaller pieces, like legs or thighs? Any suggestion on cooking times using different pieces of chicken or would you not recommend that? I can’t wait to try it!
Jennifer says
April 9, 2015 at 18:33I have used it with different sized pieces all mixed together and they all cook well together. This is a GREAT recipe, I hope you love it as much as we do!
Barb says
April 21, 2015 at 08:41Do you leave the chicken skin on or remove it?
Jennifer says
April 23, 2015 at 09:13I leave it on 🙂
Michelle says
June 17, 2015 at 04:59Fabulous. Just don’t add the cayenne.
Lisa says
July 20, 2015 at 16:37Made this tonight. My family really enjoyed it and it was simple to make with readily available ingredients. While it was good, we did not think it tasted like KFC. We do live in Canada, so perhaps KFC tastes different there. The author does not claim this is a low fat receipe, which I really appreciated as it uses a lot of fat. Just because something is cooked in the oven does not mean it is lower in fat
Mehvish ahmed says
November 1, 2015 at 18:26Hello,
I loved the taste of the recipe! Thank you so much for sharing. I had a question, after baking it I still had white crumbs over the chicken that wouldnt bake. What is the reason for this? I sprayed it with butter spray, should I spray it more heavily? Hole you can help :). thank you!
Sandra says
November 12, 2015 at 18:19I think this recipe needs to be re-named BETTER than KFC Chicken! I couldn’t find butter spray so I drizzled butter and sprayed olive oil, I only had boneless thighs on hand and added 1 tsp of cayenne other than that I followed the recipe to a t. The only downfall is the coating was a little soggy being cooked in butter so I put it on a baking rack and broiled for a couple minutes. This is my new go to coating for everything from now on! Yummy! Thanks so much!
Shoby says
November 19, 2015 at 19:57Coating had good flavor, but other comments were right about the underside being soggy. If you want fried chicken, there’s no other way except to actually fry it. This was good baked chicken. We have some left, so tomorrow I’ll heat it up on a rack and hopefully this will crisp it up a bit.
Lori says
January 9, 2016 at 20:04Hi Jennifer, Made this gluten free by using g.f. flour and panko. Hubby and both boys made the comment they thought it tasted like KFC. When I make it again I will cut the cayanne pepper in half and try with boneless chicken breasts, other than those changes to suit our tastes, I would not change a thing on your delicious recipe. Thank You so much for sharing.
Jennifer says
January 11, 2016 at 13:02So glad you like it! Way to go making this gluten free, too! 🙂
Sherry says
January 12, 2016 at 19:15My family absolutely loves this chicken. My son and daughter have families of their own but they still ask me to make this at get-togethers. I have always omitted the oregano and cayenne; other than that, I follow the recipe. I am always looking for good chicken recipes and this one is at the top. Thanks
Jill says
September 14, 2016 at 12:54Hi,
Does the chicken come out crispy?
Please reply soon
Thanks 🙂
Patti says
April 28, 2017 at 09:54Stupid question…there is no number beside the chicken breasts in the recipe. Since the recipe feeds 4 can I assume 4 bone-in breasts? Just discovered your great site and second question I’ve asked this morning!
Jennifer says
May 25, 2017 at 12:11Yes! 4 chicken breasts. Thanks for pointing that out!