KFC is one of the biggest fast-food fried chicken chains in the world. The company has over 25,000 locations across the globe in more than 145 countries. In a rapidly changing world, theres at least one thing that most of us can probably still agree on: Fried chicken is delicious. And theres no doubt that KFC has played a pivotal role in popularizing it.
But what is it that makes KFC so enticing, exactly? Whether its sold by the bucket or between two buns, theres something undeniably alluring about KFCs fried chicken. Even just the peppery and herbaceous spice of its scent is enough to trigger a serious craving. Yet homemade attempts to accurately recreate KFCs distinctive je ne sais quoi often prove elusive.
As it turns out, there are a lot of reasons for that. Between some special equipment in the kitchen and KFCs secretive blend of 11 herbs and spices, there are a number of interesting forces at play that make its chicken so famously finger lickin good.
KFC uses pressure fryers to cook the companys fried chicken. Considering that commercial pressure fryers cost thousands of dollars, its safe to assume that most residential kitchens arent equipped with this kind of expensive equipment. By cooking its chicken in pressure fryers, KFC ensures that its fried chicken is consistently crispy.
Pressure fryers are basically deep fryers and pressure cookers combined into a single machine. They are completely airtight, trapping all of the steam and pressure inside of the sealed fryer. Pressure fryers allow the exterior of the chicken to get extra crispy, yet at the same time, it also creates meat thats ultra juicy and succulent inside. Pressure fryers can also fry chicken extremely fast, which allows KFC to cook big batches to keep up with customer demand. If youve ever wondered how KFC makes its chicken so spectacularly tender and crispy, it has everything to do with the moisture retention and pressurized seal of the devices the chicken is fried inside of. The combination of blistering hot oil and high pressure softens the connective tissue within the chicken in a special way that makes it extra delicious.
KFC products are fried in oil which may contain the following: Canola Oil and Hydrogenated Soybean Oil with TBHQ and Citric Acid Added To Protect Flavor, Dimethylpolysiloxane, an Antifoaming Agent Added OR Low Linolenic Soybean Oil, TBHQ, and Citric Ac…
KFC carefully inspects each piece of chicken
To help regulate quality, KFC takes the time to inspect all of its chicken from multiple angles. First, the chicken is purchased from American farms where it is USDA-inspected. The Food Safety and Inspection Service within the US Department of Agriculture has a number of inspection directives, including the evaluation of working conditions and the sanitation procedures of processing operations. Customers should be pleased to know that KFCs chicken is free of added hormones and steroids and raised without antibiotics.
Once the chicken is delivered to KFCs kitchens, the chicken is once again inspected by workers. Between the chicken being inspected at farms followed by each piece being inspected by workers at each of KFCs restaurants, its safe to say that KFCs chicken undergoes a thorough inspection process. This ensures that the company is delivering a level of quality and consistency that customers can depend on. After the chicken has been inspected, only then do the cooks begin the process of cooking it for diners.
Sight and scent trigger our appetite
Beyond the ingredients and equipment, there are also some powerful sensory experiences at play. There is a reason that fast food companies create such tempting pictures on the menu since the appearance of food often guides our appetite. Some research suggests that our brains are instinctively wired to be more attracted to vibrant food since it was easier for our ancestors to notice colorful fruits within darkened forests. In other words, the mere sight of food alone can be enough to summon hunger and pleasure.
The same can be said for the smell of food. Studies show that odor stimuli can increase appetite. Considering that KFCs fried chicken has such a distinctively pleasant scent, its reasonable to presume that catching a whiff of it is enough to trigger our appetite without even seeing it. Believe it or not, the smell of KFC is such a crowd-pleaser that the company has even successfully marketed fried chicken-scented sunscreen and fried-chicken-scented fire logs. In fact, KFCs fire logs were so popular that the first batch completely sold out in only three hours.
KFC | What Cooking Oil they use for Frying Chickens ?
FAQ
What does KFC fry their chicken with?
Does KFC fry their chicken in peanut oil?
What oil are KFC chips fried in?
What kind of oil does Popeyes use to fry their chicken?
What oil does KFC use for frying chicken?
KFC’s choice of oil for frying their chicken has been a topic of concern for years. They primarily use partially hydrogenated soybean oil, which is high in trans fats. Trans fats are known to increase LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and decrease HDL (good) cholesterol levels, which can lead to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Which oil is best for deep frying?
Best oils for deep-frying are: olive oil, as it is resistant to heat because it’s high in monounsaturated fatty acids. Avocado oil also contains monounsaturated with some saturated and polyunsaturated fats mixed in, and has a high smoke point of 520°F (270°C). Both are the best options.
What oil is used to make fried chicken?
Canola oil, peanut oil, and sunflower oil are a few of the widely used oils that can be used to produce fried chicken. Due to their advantageous effects on health and high smoke points, rice bran oil and high-oleic sunflower oil are increasingly gaining popularity.
Does KFC fried chicken have soybean oil?
In a proactive move, all of its 5,500 U.S. restaurants have switched to a new soybean oil. This oil is believed to be less likely to contribute to heart disease, ensuring a healthier fried chicken experience for KFC customers.