KFC has long attributed its mouthwatering chicken to a closely guarded blend of 11 herbs and spices. However, in an unexpected twist, Joe Ledington, the nephew of the legendary Colonel Harland Sanders, has reportedly unveiled this family secret. As the trend for ‘fakeaways’ rises, many are eager to recreate the Colonel’s famed chicken at home, but KFC has always kept its recipe under wraps to maintain its competitive edge.
Founded in 1952, KFC’s recipe remained a mystery until Ledington shared insights with Chicago Tribune reporter Jay Jones. The original recipe is said to be recorded in a family scrapbook, penned on the back of the last will of Ledington’s aunt, Claudia. It includes notable ingredients such as four tablespoons of paprika, three tablespoons of white pepper—identified by Ledington as the key secret ingredient—and two tablespoons of garlic salt.
The simple handwritten note on the back of the will read, “11 Spices — Mix With 2 Cups White Fl,” with a list of the following ingredients:
- 2/3 Ts Salt
- 1/2 Ts Thyme
- 1/2 Ts Basil
- 1/3 Ts Origino (sic)
- 1 Ts Celery Salt
- 1 Ts Black Pepper
- 1 Ts Dried Mustard
- 4 Ts Paprika
- 2 Ts Garlic Salt
- 1 Ts Ground Ginger
While some of the herbs and spices listed include thyme, basil, and oregano, there are also three types of salt: garlic, regular, and celery. Upon recreating the recipe, the Tribune confirmed it was indeed ‘finger lickin’ good’. Yet, for many, there’s still something special about enjoying KFC’s original offerings.
