Understanding Your Nutritional Diet: What is in KFC Breading?

October 8, 2025 •

3 min read

An estimated 946 million buckets of KFC fried chicken are consumed each year globally. But as you bite into that famously crunchy exterior, have you ever considered what is in KFC breading and how it impacts your nutritional diet?

Quick Summary

This article explores the core components of Kentucky Fried Chicken's secret breading, including flour, salt, seasonings, and additives like MSG. It examines the nutritional profile and highlights the health considerations of consuming fried foods as part of a balanced diet.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: The breading foundation consists mainly of wheat flour, milk powder, and egg white powder, making it unsuitable for a gluten-free diet.
The '11 Herbs and Spices': The iconic seasoning includes a mix of paprika, various peppers, garlic salt, celery salt, mustard, and dried herbs like thyme, basil, and oregano.
MSG is Included: Official ingredient lists confirm the presence of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in KFC's Original Recipe for flavor enhancement.
High in Calories and Fat: The deep-frying process means the breading absorbs oil, significantly increasing the total calories and fat content compared to un-breaded chicken.
High Sodium Content: The generous use of salt and other salty seasonings contributes to a high sodium count, impacting daily recommended intake and health concerns.
Healthier Alternatives Exist: For a more controlled nutritional intake, baking or air frying homemade versions with healthier flours and reduced seasoning is a good option.
Original vs. Extra Crispy: Extra Crispy breading generally contains more calories and fat compared to the Original Recipe breading.

The iconic secret recipe of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has been a guarded trade secret for decades, fueling public curiosity about its exact blend of "11 herbs and spices". While the company maintains secrecy, ingredient lists and leaked copycat recipes offer significant insight into the components of the legendary breading. For those mindful of their nutrition, understanding what makes up that crispy coating is crucial to making informed dietary choices.

Unpacking the Flour and Flavor Base

The Breading Foundation

At its core, KFC's breading starts with a simple base of wheat flour, meaning it is not gluten-free. Some copycat recipes also suggest adding nonfat dry milk powder and egg white powder to improve coating and texture.

The Secret Blend of Herbs and Spices

Although the precise amounts are unknown, leaked documents and numerous copycat recipes suggest the '11 herbs and spices' in the Original Recipe breading. Key spices often listed include paprika, white and black pepper, garlic and celery salt, dried thyme, basil, oregano, dried mustard, and ground ginger.

The MSG Factor

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a flavor enhancer, is confirmed to be in KFC's Original Recipe chicken. While generally recognized as safe, it contributes to the salty, umami taste and high sodium content.

The Nutritional Impact of KFC Breading

Calories, Fat, and Sodium

The deep-frying process significantly increases the calories, fat, and sodium in KFC chicken as the breading absorbs oil. A single portion can contribute significantly to daily recommended sodium intake, which can be a concern for blood pressure.

The Frying Process

KFC uses pressure frying, which cooks chicken faster at lower temperatures, locking in moisture and creating a crust that concentrates flavors like salt and MSG. Canola oil is typically used for frying, adding to the fat content.

Original Recipe vs. Extra Crispy Breading: A Nutritional Comparison


Nutritional Aspect	Original Recipe Breading & Skin (per 100g)	Extra Crispy Breading & Skin (per 100g)
Calories	384 kcal	464 kcal
Total Fat	28g	37g
Saturated Fat	6.3g	7.5g
Cholesterol	82mg	59mg
Sodium	1042mg	Not specified by source
Carbohydrates	18.8g	23g
Protein	Not specified by source	11g

Note: Nutritional values can vary based on portion size and preparation. These figures are based on research from reliable online nutrition databases.

Making Healthier Choices

Given the information about what is in KFC breading, here are some practical tips for making healthier choices related to fried chicken:

Mindful Consumption at KFC

Consider Grilled Options: If available, choose grilled chicken over fried to reduce breading and fat intake.
Order Smaller Portions: Opt for a single piece or smaller meal to manage calories and sodium.
Choose Lower-Calorie Sides: Select healthier sides like corn or coleslaw (check ingredients) instead of options like mashed potatoes with gravy or fries.

Homemade Alternatives

Making fried chicken at home provides control over ingredients and nutrition:

Use Healthier Flours: Try almond flour, chickpea flour, or panko breadcrumbs for a potentially healthier, gluten-free breading.
Control the Seasoning: Create your own blend of herbs and spices to manage salt and sodium levels.
Adjust the Cooking Method: Baking or air frying significantly reduces oil absorption and calories compared to deep-frying.
Brine for Flavor: Marinating chicken in buttermilk can tenderize it and add flavor, as seen in many copycat recipes.

Conclusion

While KFC's breading recipe is a secret, it primarily consists of wheat flour, a blend of herbs and spices, and MSG. The deep-frying method contributes significantly to high calorie, fat, and sodium content. Understanding what is in KFC breading helps in making informed dietary choices, whether through moderation at the restaurant or opting for healthier homemade alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, KFC's breading is not gluten-free as wheat flour is a primary ingredient. Additionally, the risk of cross-contact with other gluten-containing items is very high in a fast-food kitchen.

Yes, official ingredient listings for KFC confirm the use of monosodium glutamate (MSG) as a flavor enhancer in its Original Recipe chicken.

While the recipe is secret, common ingredients in copycat recipes include paprika, white and black pepper, garlic and celery salt, thyme, basil, oregano, dried mustard, and ginger.

KFC uses a specialized pressure-frying method. This process cooks the chicken faster while locking in moisture and helps create the distinctive semi-emulsified, flavor-rich crust.

Neither is considered healthy due to high fat and sodium content, but Extra Crispy breading typically has more calories and fat compared to the Original Recipe breading due to its thicker texture.

You can make a healthier version by using alternative flours like almond or chickpea, baking or air frying instead of deep-frying, and controlling the amount of salt in your own seasoning mix.

While KFC has introduced plant-based options in some markets, these are often cooked in the same oil as chicken, and the breading is not gluten-free. It is important to check local allergen information and consider potential cross-contamination.