KFC, Fried Chicken, ORIGINAL RECIPE, Skin and Breading
Whole food · Fast Foods
Photo: Wikipedia
This is the iconic, craggy, golden-brown skin and seasoned breading from KFC's Original Recipe chicken. It offers a satisfying crunch that gives way to a savory, herbaceous flavor profile with a subtle peppery kick. Nutritionally, it is a dense source of calories and fat, with a moderate amount of protein per 100 grams.
💚 Why it's loved
People love it for the unparalleled, shatteringly crisp texture and the complex, savory seasoning that is instantly recognizable. It's a cornerstone of fast-food culture and a go-to comfort food for its reliable, indulgent flavor.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high fat, calorie, and sodium content can be a concern for those monitoring heart health or blood pressure. To counteract this, practice strict portion control (e.g., one piece as a treat), pair it with a large, fiber-rich side salad or steamed vegetables to increase fullness, and drink water instead of sugary soda to manage overall intake.
Key benefits
- Provides a significant energy source from fats and carbohydrates.
- Contains a moderate amount of complete protein from the chicken.
- Offers a highly palatable and satisfying sensory experience (crunch, salt, umami).
- A familiar, convenient comfort food for many.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'Original Recipe' seasoning blend is famously known as a mix of 11 herbs and spices, and the exact formula is a closely guarded trade secret, reportedly stored in a safe in Louisville, Kentucky.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 35.5 g |
| Energy | 384 kcal |
| Energy | 1606 kj |
| Protein | 14.2 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 28.0 g |
| Ash | 3.5 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 18.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 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 | 16.7 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 117 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.88 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 25.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 252 mg |
| Potassium, K | 244 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 1042 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.87 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.30 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 17.2 ug |
| Thiamin | 0.08 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.20 mg |
| Niacin | 5.4 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.88 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.14 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.32 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 20.0 ug |
| Retinol | 20.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 66.0 iu |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.2 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.05 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 1.8 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.07 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.02 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.33 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 6.3 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 | 0.15 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 4.4 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.5 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.02 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 14.4 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 1.1 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 1.1 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 12.9 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 12.8 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.28 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.02 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 5.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 4.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 4.3 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.81 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.76 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:3i | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.02 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 | 0.07 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.21 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.17 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.01 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.16 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.04 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.04 g |
| Cholesterol | 82.0 mg |
| Tryptophan | 0.11 g |
| Threonine | 0.47 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.42 g |
| Leucine | 0.86 g |
| Lysine | 0.61 g |
| Methionine | 0.20 g |
| Cystine | 0.16 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.54 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.43 g |
| Valine | 0.52 g |
| Arginine | 0.80 g |
| Histidine | 0.34 g |
| Alanine | 0.81 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.96 g |
| Glutamic acid | 3.3 g |
| Glycine | 1.2 g |
| Proline | 1.1 g |
| Serine | 0.55 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.37 g |
FAQ
Is the breading gluten-free?
No, the standard KFC Original Recipe breading is made with wheat flour and contains gluten.
Can I make a healthier version at home?
You can approximate the flavor with an oven-baked or air-fried method using seasoned panko or crushed cornflakes, which significantly reduces the fat content compared to deep-frying.
Why does it stay crispy for so long?
The combination of the specific flour blend, the double-dredging process, and the frying method creates a rigid, low-moisture structure that resists sogginess.