Copycat KFC Hot and Spicy Wings Recipe

10

With a little prep and some pantry staples, you can recreate the magic of KFC Hot and Spicy Wings right in your own kitchen! Imagine the satisfaction of biting into a perfectly crisp, spicy wing—knowing you made it yourself.

How to make KFC Hot and Spicy Wings

KFC Hot and Spicy Wings are a menu item from Kentucky Fried Chicken featuring crispy, deep-fried chicken wings coated in KFC’s signature hot and spicy seasoning blend.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• Chicken Wings: 1 kg (approximately 20-25 small wings) – Whole wings or drumettes/flats, depending on your preference.

For the Marinade:

• Buttermilk: 1 cup (for tenderizing and helping the batter stick).
• Hot Sauce: 2-3 tablespoons (adjust to your heat preference).
• Salt: 1 teaspoon.
• Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon.

For the Flour Coating:

• All-Purpose Flour: 2 cups.
• Cornstarch: 1/4 cup (to make the wings extra crispy).
• Smoked Paprika: 2 teaspoons.
• Cayenne Pepper: 1-2 teaspoons (depending on how spicy you want it).
• Black Pepper: 1 teaspoon.
• Onion Powder: 1 teaspoon.
• Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon.
• Salt: 1 teaspoon.
• Oregano: 1 teaspoon.
• White Pepper: 1 teaspoon (optional but recommended for an authentic kick).

For Frying:

• Vegetable Oil: Enough to deep-fry (you’ll need about 4-5 cups depending on your frying pan/pot size).

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

1. Clean and trim the Wings: Wash the chicken wings thoroughly and pat them dry with a paper towel. If needed, trim them into smaller pieces (separating drumettes and flats, discarding wing tips).
2. Marinate the Wings: In a large bowl, mix the buttermilk, hot sauce, salt, and garlic powder. Add the chicken wings and ensure they are fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight gives the best results).

Step 2: Prepare the Dry Coating

1. Make the Flour Mixture: In a separate large bowl, combine all the dry coating ingredients—flour, cornstarch, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, oregano, and white pepper. Mix well to ensure even distribution of spices.
2. Set Up a Dipping Station: Place the marinated chicken, the flour coating, and a clean plate in an assembly line.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

1. Remove the wings from the marinade, letting any excess liquid drip off.
2. Dip each wing into the seasoned flour mixture, pressing it firmly to ensure the coating sticks well. For extra crunch, you can double dip: after the first coating, lightly dip the wing back into the buttermilk and then coat it with the flour mixture again.
3. Once coated, place the wings on a wire rack and let them rest for about 10 minutes to help the breading adhere better.

Step 4: Fry the Wings

1. Heat the Oil: In a large pot or deep fryer, heat the vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to maintain the temperature for consistent frying.
2. Carefully place the coated wings into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan (fry in batches if necessary).
3. Fry the wings for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway, until they are golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C).
4. Once fried, transfer the wings to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 5: Serve

1. Serve your crispy KFC-style Hot and Spicy Wings hot, paired with your favorite dipping sauce—think ranch, blue cheese, or even more hot sauce! Don’t forget a side of fries or a refreshing drink to complete the experience.

Tips for the Perfect Hot and Spicy Wings

• Tenderize with Buttermilk: The buttermilk marinade helps break down the fibers in the chicken, making it juicy and tender while also acting as a sticky base for the breading.
• Season Generously: Don’t skimp on the spices in the flour mixture—this is what gives the wings their signature hot and spicy flavor.
• Double Dip for Extra Crunch: If you love extra crunchy wings, double-dip your chicken by coating it in the flour mixture, dipping it back into the marinade, and then re-coating it in flour.
• Monitor Oil Temperature: Keeping the oil at a steady 350°F ensures crispy wings without burning the coating or leaving the chicken undercooked.
• Rest the Coated Wings: Letting the coated wings rest on a wire rack before frying helps the breading adhere better and minimizes the chance of it falling off during cooking.
• Spice Adjustment: If you’re not a fan of extreme heat, reduce the cayenne and hot sauce. Conversely, if you like your wings super spicy, add red chili flakes or your favorite hot spices to the flour mix.

What to serve with

KFC Hot and Spicy Wings offer bold flavors with a crispy texture and a fiery kick that make them absolutely irresistible. To turn them into a complete, satisfying meal, pairing them with the right sides, dips, and drinks is essential.

• Ranch Dressing: Cool, creamy ranch helps offset the heat and adds rich flavor.
• Blue Cheese Dressing: Ideal for those who enjoy tangy flavors and a creamy texture.
• Honey Mustard: Sweet, tangy, and a little sharp—a good contrast to the spiciness.
• Barbecue Sauce: A smoky, sweet option that adds depth to the KFC Hot and Spicy Wings.
• Spicy Mayo: If you love heat, combine mayonnaise with Sriracha for an extra fiery dip.

Ingredients Substitutes

Recreating KFC Hot and Spicy Wings at home is a fun and delicious challenge! But sometimes, you might not have all the ingredients on hand. No worries—there are plenty of clever substitutions that can still help you achieve crispy, flavorful wings with the perfect kick of spice.

1. Chicken Wings Substitutes

If chicken wings aren’t available, or if you’re looking for a dietary alternative, here are substitutes:

• Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs: These parts of the chicken are slightly meatier, making them a great alternative. Thighs, in particular, are tender and flavorful.
• Chicken Breast Strips: Cut boneless chicken breasts into strips or nuggets for a boneless option. Keep in mind they may cook faster than wings.
• Cauliflower Wings (Vegetarian-Friendly): If you want a plant-based alternative, use cauliflower florets. Coat them in a similar breading and bake or air fry for a crispy texture.
• Tofu Bites (Vegan-Friendly): Use firm tofu cut into wing-sized pieces, coat them, and deep-fry or air-fry.

2. Buttermilk Substitutes for Marinade

Buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken while providing a base for the breading to stick. If you don’t have buttermilk, try these substitutes:

Milk + Vinegar or Lemon Juice:

• Combine 1 cup of regular milk with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice.
• Let the mixture sit for 5–10 minutes until it curdles slightly.
• Use as a direct substitute for buttermilk.

• Greek Yogurt + Water: Mix ½ cup of Greek yogurt with ¼ cup of water to create a tangy marinade with a similar consistency to buttermilk.
• Coconut Milk (Dairy-Free): Use unsweetened coconut milk with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to create a dairy-free buttermilk substitute.

3. Hot Sauce Alternatives

Hot sauce in the marinade and coating helps build the classic spicy flavor. If you want to swap it out:

• Chili Powder + Water: Mix chili powder with water to form a quick hot sauce alternative. Add a squeeze of lime for extra tang.
• Sriracha Sauce: A slightly sweeter and garlicky hot chili sauce that works well in place of traditional hot sauce.
• Harissa Paste: This North African chili paste brings a smoky, spicy profile as a hot sauce substitute.
• Paprika or Cayenne Pepper: Mix either (or both) with vinegar and water for a homemade hot sauce.

4. Flour and Cornstarch Substitutes for Coating

The flour and cornstarch coating is key to that crispy, crunchy texture. If you don’t have one or both of these ingredients, try these alternatives:

• Rice Flour: Rice flour creates a light and ultra-crispy coating. It’s also gluten-free!
• Breadcrumbs (Panko or Regular): Use breadcrumbs for a slightly different texture. Panko breadcrumbs are particularly crispy.
• Almond Flour or Coconut Flour (Low-Carb/Keto-Friendly): These nut flours work well for a keto-friendly breading. Mix them with Parmesan cheese for added crunch.
• Oat Flour: Grind oats in a blender to make your own gluten-free flour for coating.
• Mashed Cornflakes: Crushed cornflakes can be used as a substitute for both flour and breadcrumbs, giving a unique texture and added flavor.

5. Spice Substitutes

The seasoning for KFC Hot and Spicy Wings is what gives them their bold flavor! If you’re missing specific spices, here’s how to substitute:

• Cayenne Pepper Substitute: Use red chili powder, paprika, or hot smoked paprika for a milder heat. Chipotle powder works well for a smokier profile.
• Smoked Paprika Substitute: Use regular paprika combined with a small amount of liquid smoke or ground cumin for a smoky undertone.
• Garlic Powder Substitute: Replace with minced fresh garlic or granulated garlic. Use less fresh garlic, as it has a stronger flavor.
• Onion Powder Substitute: Finely minced fresh onion or grated onion works in place of onion powder.
• Oregano Substitute: Use Italian seasoning, dried basil, or thyme if you don’t have oregano.
• White Pepper Substitute: Black pepper is a simple substitute, though white pepper is milder and more earthy.

6. Vegetable Oil Substitutes for Frying

Deep-frying typically calls for high-smoke-point oils like vegetable oil. If that’s unavailable, here are alternatives:

• Canola Oil: A neutral oil with a high smoke point, perfect for frying.
• Peanut Oil: Offers a slightly nutty flavor but works wonderfully for deep frying.
• Sunflower Oil: Another neutral option with a high smoke point.
• Avocado Oil: A healthier but pricier alternative suitable for frying.

Final Thoughts

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to recreating the flavor-packed magic of KFC Hot and Spicy Wings.