7 Reasons Kfc Fried Chicken Tastes So Good

Wingstop, Raising Cane’s, Zaxby’s, Bonjangles… there are plenty of fast food restaurants that specialize in fried chicken. But why is KFC’s fried chicken so delicious and arguably better than the rest?

Let’s be honest. If you’re craving for fried chicken, what’s the first fast food joint that comes to mind? KFC, right?

The KFC menu prices may have gone up a few times this year. But this has not stopped people from going to their favorite fried chicken restaurant.  So let’s take a look at the various reasons fried chicken is so good at KFC.

Reason #1: 11 Herbs & Spices

KFC’s secret recipe has become somewhat of an urban legend. There have been too many attempts to replicate or uncover Colonel’s Original Recipe. KFC Corp. has always kept the 11 herbs and spice mix a secret.

But in 2016, Colonel Sander’s nephew purportedly gave out the secret list to a Chicago Tribune reporter named Jay Jones who traveled all the way to Corbin, Kentucky the birthplace of KFC. The nephew, Joe Ledington, shared with him his family’s scrapbook which contained a list of the 11 spices and herbs in a handwritten note.

KFC has never acknowledged this so we don’t know for sure just how accurate the list is. But whatever the truth may be, one thing’s for sure – what they put into that chicken is finger-lickin’ good!

Reason #2: It Has MSG

Going back to the story about the Chicago Tribune reporter, apparently this news agency has a “testing kitchen” of sorts. So they tested the list given by Ledington in their kitchen to see if they can replicate KFC’s fried chicken. They tried a few times and the chicken they made was good but it wasn’t quite the same as KFC’s. They seem to be missing a key ingredient. Finally, a reporter from the team of testers decided to sprinkle some MSG to the chicken and get this, it tasted exactly like KFC’s signature dish. You wouldn’t be able to tell the difference!

KFC has also acknowledged that they indeed use MSG in their chicken. But don’t let that discourage you from driving to a nearby KFC. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), MSG is a flavor enhancer and recognized as safe.

Reason #3: They Do Things 7 Times!

We’ve learned from Gizmodo that KFC staff dries the chicken by dry-tossing it 7 times, then covers the chicken in breading 7 times in breast-stroke motion, then see-saw the chicken another 7 times to make sure it does not have too much breading.

Reason #4: Chicken is Pressure-Cooked

The Original Recipe is cooked in a pressure cooker with oil. It was Colonel Sanders who pioneered pressure cooking with oil in the ‘40s. What makes this method of cooking great is that the pressure cooker is able to break down the touch collagen in the leg and thigh of the chicken a lot faster so you get a tender juicy fried chicken in less time.

Reason #5: Chicken is Always Fresh

Many fast food joints use frozen meat products including chicken but KFC is committed to quality, fresh ingredients. The chicken they use may be chilled to maintain freshness but never frozen. They also use other fresh and quality ingredients.

Reason #6: They Use a Good Amount of Salt

It seems like salt can make food taste so much better and KFC’s Original Recipe chicken breast has 1,190mg of sodium! That’s a lot of sodium right there but also one of the reasons it tastes great.

Reason #7: It Sounds Delicious

In one study conducted in 2015, researchers refer to sound as the "forgotten flavor sense" for its significance in how we enjoy your food.  Our perception of flavor and the experience of eating is multi-sensory. So menu items with names like Crispy and Extra Crispy are always very enticing since we often associate crispness with freshness or good quality. It’s no wonder KFC has a strong cult following especially among millennials all over the world.

With beef no longer as popular as before and many turning to vegetarian diets, chicken has helped to fill the void. It is perfect for so many recipes and such a versatile food. Chicken is simply delicious, period. And for many chicken lovers out there, the ultimate treat is Kentucky Fried Chicken.

And finally, with the human brain wired to enjoy high-calorie food as the ultimate culinary pleasure, it makes sense for KFC to be a top choice.  The appeal of KFC’s tasty and satisfying comfort food sides like mac and cheese, mashed potato and biscuits all add to its allure.