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.
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Why should you try it?
- Cheaper and healthier than actual KFC
- Lower in calories and fat
- You can adjust the seasoning to your own tastes
- Kids will love it
Step by step
One: Prepare the spice blend
Two: Put the bread in to a food processor and blend to make breadcrumbs.
Three: In a bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with the spice blend. Season with salt and pepper.
Four: Cut the chicken breast into strips.
Five: Whisk the egg and put the flour onto a plate.
Six: Coat the chicken in flour, then dip in the egg. Transfer to the bowl with the seasoned breadcrumbs and coat completely.
Seven: 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.
Is it healthy?
It's not called Healthy KFC for nothing! But seriously, its healthier.
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.
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.
KFC Seasoning
The exact spice seasoning mixture in KFC is a closely guarded secret. However, after a lot of taste testing, we have come up with something that comes very close. You can adjust the spices to suit your own tastes.
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
To make a healthy 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.
What to serve it with
Here are some suggestions of things to serve with this Healthy KFC:
- Air Fryer Fries
- Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- Grilled Corn
- Mexican Coleslaw
- No Mayo Coleslaw
- Baked Tortilla Chips
FAQs
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.
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 and flour for the coating and you are good to go.
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
If you have leftovers, then they can be stored in an air tight container and kept in the fridge for 2 days. You can then slice them up and add to salads and sandwiches.
More takeout recipes
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Recipe card
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.
Taylor Kiser
Love that I can have KFC made at home that’s tastier, healthier and cheaper! Thanks!
Danielle Wolter
Love this healthy alternative, especially after that glutinous holiday season I just had! Flavor are still great with much less greasiness!
Helen
This is such a great recipe - everyone in my family loves it!
Caroline
I like that you've tried to keep the flavors pretty close but it's healthier (not to mention easier to cook) being baked.
veenaazmanov
Homemade meals are always good. Love the crispiness and healthier option to enjoying such Happy Meals.
Marlynn
Love this lightened up version of KFC! The spices are spot on.
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
As someone who loves KFC as a treat, this has my mouth watering! A healthy alternative to it is right up my street and I will definitely be giving this a try!
Tara
Oh yum! This homemade version definitely looks so much better. Love that coating and how you baked the chicken.
Neli Howard
This is exactly what I’m craving, how did you know?!?!?! This looks like a major winner winner chicken dinner!!!
Roxana
I love baking and its so good to have an easy recipe for a popular favorite dish like this. A must try for sure.
Megan
The secret recipe isn't so secret anymore! I love that I can make this in a healthy way- the real thing is so good but makes me feel gross.
Nart at Cooking with Nart
Seriously, this is my dream recipe. I go to KFC way too often even though I know it's unhealthy. Glad I found something to replace it now!
Eva
KFC is a holiday pleasure for me as I don't have one nearby so I always visit one when I'm abroad! This is the perfect replacement, besides being healthier I don't want to smell like a frying pan for just preparing dinner for two. Throw 'em in the oven and we're ready to go! Perfection!
Courtney
This was a big hit with my family! Love the flavour of the spice mixture. Thanks for sharing!
Mirlene
Ohhhh you have nailed it with this recipe. We do not have a KFC near by in our town so this is perfect. Thank you for sharing.
Steve
Just done this in my tefal air fryer it was better than k.f.c honestly
Great recipe!
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
Another great recipe :)
Vivienne
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
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.