Last updated on July 27th, 2019 at 07:52 am
You can get all the crispiness and flavour of KFC chicken by making it at home – plus it’s healthier and cheaper too. Seasoned and breaded chicken breasts that are baked to crispy perfection for the Healthy KFC alternative. Put it in to a burger bun for a homemade Zinger Tower Burger.
Healthy KFC
One thing a lot of us would like to cut back on in a bid to be healthier, and have more disposable income, is fast food and convenience food. Sure, it’s easy to just rock up to a drive-thru and put in your order, but who has the money to do that all the time?
Not only is making it yourself healthier, as you can control exactly what goes in to it and portion control, but you have the satisfaction of having made the delicious alternative yourself. With minimal effort too!
If you want to get that exact KFC flavour, then you are doing to need to deep fry the chicken to get it super crispy. But baking it gets it crispy enough, without a load of extra calories from the oil.
KFC Seasoning
The exact KFC recipe is a closely guarded secret. However, with a few taste tests and some experiments ourselves we came up with a pretty great homemade version. It is a mixture of paprika, thyme, oregano, garlic, ginger, salt, pepper and mustard. If you prefer one flavour and don’t like another as much, feel free to change the quantities. Use this recipe is a base. We might add some chilli flakes next time.
We have coated ours in breadcrumbs and baked it, rather than dipping it in flour and frying it, so there is going to be a taste difference there. But this is a healthier version after all. Also, KFC using MSG in their recipe and we gave that a miss too.
Zinger Burger Recipe
One of the best things to order at KFC is the Zinger Tower Burger. You can recreate that at home too by taking a piece of this breaded chicken and putting it in a bun with some cheese, lettuce, some Restaurant Style Salsa and one of our Homemade Healthy Hash Browns.
What Chicken To Use For Homemade KFC?
We used chicken breasts, not only to keep it lean but because we were serving it in a burger and didn’t want the bone in it. However, if you just want to use your hands and bite straight in to some chicken, then you could use wings, drumsticks or thighs.
Can You Cook This in the Air Fryer?
You can get this chicken even crispier than the oven by using an air fryer. Simply follow the recipe as below and then put it in your air fryer for 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
Gluten Free KFC
This homemade KFC is really easy to make gluten free, as most of the ingredients are gluten free already. Just use some gluten free breadcrumbs for the coating and you are good to go.
How To Make Healthy KFC
- Prepare the spice blend
- Put the bread in to a food processor and blend to make breadcrumbs.
- Put in to a bowl with all the seasoning ingredients. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cut the chicken breast into strips.
- Whisk the egg and put the flour onto a plate.
- Coat the chicken in flour, then dip in the egg. Transfer to the bowl with the seasoned breadcrumbs and coat completely.
- Put the coated chicken on a baking tray and put in a pre-heated oven at 220°C/400°F for 40 minutes. It may need longer, depending on the size of your chicken pieces.
Other Takeaway Alternative Recipes To Try:
Slow Cooker Lamb Rogan Josh
Easy Garlic Knots
Healthy Big Mac
Sausage McMuffin
Healthy Chicken Tikka Masala
Whole Wheat Mini Cinnamon Buns
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DON’T FORGET TO RATE THE RECIPE ↓
Healthier KFC
Ingredients
- 300 g chicken breast
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 slice whole wheat bread
- 2 tbsp plain flour
- 1 pinch sea salt and black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.5 tsp dried thyme
- 0.5 tsp dried oregano
- 0.5 tsp ground ginger
- 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the spice blend.
- Put the bread in a food processor and process until it becomes breadcrumbs.
- Put into a bowl with all the herbs and spices and mix well. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cut the chicken breast into strips.
- Whisk the egg and put the flour onto a plate.
- Coat the chicken in flour, then dip in the egg. Transfer to the bowl with the seasoned breadcrumbs and coat completely.
- Put the coated chicken on a baking tray and put in a pre-heated oven at 220°C/400°F for 40 minutes. It may need longer, depending on the size of your chicken pieces.
Video
This post was originally published on 4th November 2012 and updated on 30th May 2019.
Steve says
Just done this in my tefal air fryer it was better than k.f.c honestly
Great recipe! says
Hi Dannii,
Great recipe! My children are always asking (more begging actually) for those KFC menu items. I’m going to try this recipe this weekend and will update you on my kids reaction.
Thank you,
Kate
Nicole says
Another great recipe 🙂
Vivienne says
Thank you for so many burger recipes, they are a firm favourite in our house. They can be healthy is made right, but we just run out of ideas usually.
Jackie says
I am so happy that you have posted this. Going to KFC is a bit of a weekly ritual in our family, but our waists or pockets can no longer afford it. I have all these spices and herbs already at home, so I shall make it next week. Thank you. You are a star.