Finger lickin good sauce, also known as KFC original recipe chicken sauce, is the secret blend of herbs, spices, and flavorings used by Kentucky Fried Chicken to give their fried chicken its signature taste. The exact recipe is a closely guarded trade secret, but some of the key ingredients have been revealed over the years.
History of Finger Lickin Good Sauce
The original finger lickin good sauce was created in 1940 by Harland Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Sanders had run a service station in Corbin, Kentucky and began serving fried chicken to travelers who stopped in for gas. His chicken became so popular that he opened a restaurant next to the station in 1930. Sanders developed his secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices to flavor the chicken and the sauce.
In 1952, Sanders began franchising his chicken concept and standardized the recipe so all franchise locations could produce the same signature flavor. He initially prepared the spice mix himself in his home and then provided handwritten recipes to the franchisees. As KFC expanded, the company began producing and supplying the spice blend to stores.
The finger lickin good sauce helps distinguish KFC from other fried chicken chains. The sauce has become synonymous with the KFC brand and is a key part of their marketing campaigns. KFC vigorously protects the secrecy of the exact blend of 11 herbs and spices that comprise the sauce.
Ingredients in the Original Sauce
While the complete recipe remains a trade secret, a few of the ingredients in the original finger lickin good sauce have been revealed over the years based on backward engineering attempts and company insider leaks.
Some of the known ingredients are:
- Salt – Provides overall seasoning
- White pepper – Adds some spiciness
- Thyme – Earthy herbal flavor
- Basil – Sweet herbal flavor
- Oregano – Bold herbal flavor
- Garlic powder – Provides garlicky punch
- Paprika – Adds mild smoky flavor and red color
- Ginger – Gives a little zing
- Onion powder – Rounds out flavor
In addition to herbs and spices, the sauce contains some other ingredients to add flavor, texture, and help the herbs stick to the chicken:
- Flour – Thickens sauce and helps herbs adhere
- Milk – Adds creaminess and moisture
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG) – Enhances savory umami flavor
- Chicken fat – Rich, chicken-y flavor
Secret Herbs and Spices
While some key herbs and spices have been identified, the exact blend of the remaining 3-5 ingredients is still unknown outside of KFC. Some possibilities based on hints over the years include:
- Sage – Earthy, savory flavor
- Marjoram – Warm, delicate flavor
- Parsley – Green, fresh flavor
- Rosemary – Pine-like, fragrant flavor
- Coriander – Warm, citrusy flavor
- Cinnamon – Warm, sweet flavor
- Nutmeg – Sweet, spicy flavor
- Lemon juice powder – Adds bright acidity
It is the proprietary blend of these herbs and spices in specific quantities that gives the finger lickin good sauce its unique flavor profile that has made KFC famous.
Preparation Method
In addition to the secret recipe, the preparation method also affects the flavor of the final sauce. According to leaked internal KFC documents, the process for making the sauce is as follows:
- Mix the dry herbs and spices together thoroughly
- Add some of the wet ingredients like milk and lemon juice and whisk together
- Gradually whisk in the remaining wet ingredients
- Let the sauce rest for the flavors to meld for about 20-30 minutes
- Pour the sauce through a fine mesh strainer to remove any solid bits
- Combine sauce with chicken pieces and let marinate for at least 2-4 hours in the refrigerator
- Remove chicken from marinade, allowing any excess to drip off, then fry chicken until golden brown
Letting the sauce rest and meld allows the flavors to fully develop, while straining it gives it a smooth, uniform consistency for evenly coating the chicken. Marinating the chicken allows the flavors to penetrate all the way through before frying.
Variations
While the original recipe is still used today, KFC has introduced some variations over the years:
Extra Crispy Recipe
Introduced in the 1970s, the extra crispy chicken uses a slightly different version of the original recipe to achieve an extra crunchy texture. It has more flour in the seasoning mix for a thicker coating on the chicken.
Grilled Chicken Recipe
KFC grilled chicken is marinated in a lower fat and salt version of the original recipe. It is then grilled rather than fried for a lighter option.
Georgia Gold Recipe
Unveiled in 2016 for a limited time, Georgia Gold chicken added a tangy honey mustard flavor to the original recipe for a sweet and savory taste. It was brought back for limited times in 2018 and 2020 due to popularity.
Nutrition
Since the full recipe is secret, the exact nutritional values are unknown. However, some analysis has revealed the following general nutrition facts about KFC’s finger lickin’ good original recipe fried chicken:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | About 260 calories per 100g |
| Fat | About 15g per 100g |
| Carbs | About 6g per 100g |
| Protein | About 18g per 100g |
| Sodium | About 500mg per 100g |
As a fried food, KFC original recipe chicken tends to be high in calories, fat, and sodium compared to other preparation methods like grilling. The chicken skin contributes significant fat and calories. Going with breast meat rather than thighs or drumsticks can reduce the fat and calorie content.
Attempts to Crack the Recipe
Due to the secrecy surrounding the original finger lickin good recipe, there have been many attempts by competitors and the public to recreate or reverse engineer it over the years. Some examples include:
- In the 1970s, KFC unsuccessfully sued a Texas woman who had distributed a recipe she claimed was the original. However, KFC argued her recipe was not accurate.
- In 1983, the manager of a KFC-turned-independent restaurant claimed to have uncovered a top-secret recipe in the safe that allowed him to replicate the seasoning blend. However, KFC also sued him and said his version was incorrect.
- In 1987, the Nashville Banner newspaper published a purported secret recipe leaked by a KFC employee. However, the recipe did not match the original when tested.
- Cookbook author Todd Wilbur published a bestselling book in the 1990s claiming to have recreated the original recipe through trial and error. His published recipe has many similarities to the known ingredients.
- Food scientists have tried using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis on the chicken crust to characterize the seasoning compounds. But the full recipe remains elusive.
Despite the numerous attempts, no one has definitively cracked the secret original KFC finger lickin’ good recipe of 11 herbs and spices. The exact quantities and some of the ingredients still remain a mystery locked away in the company vault.
Why Keep It Secret?
The finger lickin good recipe is so valuable that KFC goes to great lengths to protect it:
- Only a few trusted employees know the full recipe.
- The ingredients are prepared and combined in two separate U.S. locations before being shipped to stores around the world.
- These facilities have security systems such as cameras, motion detectors, and alarms to prevent theft.
- Employees sign confidentiality agreements swearing secrecy about the recipe under penalty of legal action.
Keeping the original recipe a trade secret means that competitors can’t simply duplicate KFC’s signature flavor. It provides a competitive advantage and mystique that benefits the brand. Customers keep coming back for the distinctive, can’t-copy taste. The secrecy has taken on a life of its own, becoming part of KFC’s identity and marketing.
Conclusion
While the exact recipe remains elusive, the blend of herbs, spices, and other flavorings creates an unmistakable finger lickin good flavor that has made KFC one of the most popular fast food chicken chains. The secret original recipe from Colonel Sanders still spices up KFC’s chicken today, over 80 years after it was first developed. The allure of the proprietary blend of 11 herbs and spices continues to draw customers hungry for that unique signature taste you can only get at KFC.