KFC, Fried Chicken, EXTRA CRISPY, Skin and Breading
Whole food · Fast Foods
Photo: Wikipedia
This is the iconic, craggy, deep-fried coating and skin from KFC's Extra Crispy chicken, engineered for an audibly crunchy, shatteringly textured bite. Its golden-brown crust delivers a potent hit of savory, salty, and umami flavors, with a notable fat content that carries the seasoning. Nutritionally, it's a dense source of energy and fat, with a modest protein contribution from the adhered chicken skin.
💚 Why it's loved
People crave it for the unparalleled crunch and the savory, seasoned flavor that is deeply satisfying and nostalgic. It's a cultural icon of fast-food comfort, representing indulgence and a specific, craveable texture.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high fat and calorie density can be problematic for those managing weight or heart health, and the refined carbohydrates may cause blood-sugar spikes. To counteract, practice strict portion control, pair it with a large, fiber-rich side salad or steamed vegetables, and consider removing some of the thicker breading before eating.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick, dense source of caloric energy
- Contains some protein from the chicken skin and breading
- Source of dietary fat, which aids in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
- Offers a satisfying, high-texture sensory experience
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
KFC's 'Extra Crispy' recipe was developed specifically to counter a 1970s consumer shift toward lighter, healthier foods, offering a more intense, textural alternative to their Original Recipe.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 27.0 g |
| Energy | 464 kcal |
| Energy | 1939 kj |
| Protein | 11.0 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 36.6 g |
| Ash | 2.9 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 22.5 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.5 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Sucrose | 0.00 g |
| Glucose | 0.00 g |
| Fructose | 0.00 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Starch | 21.3 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 41.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.67 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 18.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 149 mg |
| Potassium, K | 170 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 828 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.61 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 1.0 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.31 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 11.9 ug |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.07 mg |
| Niacin | 3.4 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.81 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.13 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.36 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 35.0 ug |
| Retinol | 35.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 116 iu |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 7.5 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.10 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 5.6 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.6 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.03 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 11.8 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 1.1 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 1.1 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 10.5 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 10.4 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.13 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.02 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 14.2 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 13.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 13.2 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.68 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.65 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.05 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.23 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.10 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.01 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.09 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.14 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.14 g |
| Cholesterol | 59.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.08 g |
| Threonine | 0.36 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.32 g |
| Leucine | 0.67 g |
| Lysine | 0.47 g |
| Methionine | 0.16 g |
| Cystine | 0.13 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.42 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.34 g |
| Valine | 0.40 g |
| Arginine | 0.62 g |
| Histidine | 0.26 g |
| Alanine | 0.62 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.74 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.6 g |
| Glycine | 0.92 g |
| Proline | 0.88 g |
| Serine | 0.43 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.26 g |
FAQ
Is the Extra Crispy coating the same as the Original Recipe?
No. The Extra Crispy coating uses a different, more heavily seasoned flour blend and a double-dredging technique to create a thicker, crunchier, and more textured crust compared to the smoother Original Recipe.
Why is it so high in fat?
The fat content comes from two main sources: the natural fat in the chicken skin, and the oil absorbed during the deep-frying process, which is essential for achieving the signature crispiness.
Can I get a similar texture at home?
Yes, but it requires specific techniques like double-dredging in seasoned flour and buttermilk, and frying at a consistent oil temperature (around 350°F/175°C) to achieve a comparable crunch.