Kentucky Fried Chicken’s signature gravy is a beloved condiment that takes fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and biscuits to the next level. With its velvety texture and savory, umami-rich flavor, recreating the Colonel’s famous gravy at home is a rewarding cooking project. This easy gravy recipe will have you drizzling that finger-lickin’ goodness over all your comfort food favorites in no time.
Overview of Kentucky Fried Chicken Gravy
Kentucky Fried Chicken gravy has a smooth, thick consistency and a deep, beefy flavor. The hallmarks of an excellent KFC-style gravy are:
- Velvety texture that coats the back of a spoon
- Rich, brown color
- Savory taste with a slight salty kick
- Slight oiliness from being ladled over fried chicken
- Distinct umami flavor from MSG or similar seasoning
To make gravy that tastes like the Colonel’s, you need to use the right mix of ingredients and cook them the right way. Let’s look at how to make KFC gravy at home that is smooth and tasty.
How to Make Kentucky Fried Chicken Gravy
Making Kentucky Fried Chicken gravy is easy with these simple steps
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1⁄2 tsp onion powder
- 1⁄4 tsp garlic powder
- 1⁄2 tsp black pepper
- 1⁄4 tsp salt
- 1⁄4 tsp poultry seasoning (optional)
- 1 tsp soy sauce
Instructions
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In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour until the mixture is smooth. Cook for two to three minutes, until the mixture starts to brown a bit.
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Slowly whisk in chicken broth and beef broth. The gravy will thicken immediately.
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Stir in onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, poultry seasoning, and soy sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes.
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Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
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Serve warm over fried chicken, mashed potatoes, biscuits, etc.
Tips
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Use a whisk to prevent lumps when making the roux.
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If the gravy is too thin, let it cook for longer. If it gets too thick, add more broth.
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Add Worcestershire sauce for extra umami flavor.
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For a smooth gravy, reheat leftovers on the stovetop while whisking in a splash of broth.
Why KFC Gravy is So Good
There are a few key factors that make Kentucky Fried Chicken gravy irresistible:
Velvety Texture
- The roux of butter and flour gives the gravy its signature thickness. Whisking is vital for a lump-free gravy.
Savory Flavor
- Chicken and beef broth provide a rich, meaty base. Onion, garlic, pepper, and soy sauce amp up the umami quality.
Satisfying Mouthfeel
- The gravy nicely coats the palate thanks to its velvety texture.
Subtle Spice
- A touch of black pepper gives it a little kick while remaining family-friendly.
Herbaceous Notes
- Poultry seasoning adds subtle yet familiar flavor.
Beefy Undertones
- The beef broth plays a key role in mimicking KFC’s depth of flavor.
Comfort Factor
- Warm, nostalgic flavors make this gravy the perfect accompaniment to soulful southern comfort food.
Serving Suggestions for KFC Gravy
Kentucky Fried Chicken gravy goes well with all kinds of comfort food classics. Here are some serving ideas:
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Mashed Potatoes: The Southern staple; gravy gets soaked up deliciously.
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Fried Chicken: Go for the full KFC effect! Drizzle over popcorn chicken or tenders too.
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Biscuits or Rolls: Smother biscuits, Hawaiian rolls, or garlic bread for flavor and moisture.
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Meatloaf: Take it up a notch by blanketing meatloaf slices with gravy.
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Roasted Vegetables: Surprisingly tasty over roasted broccoli, carrots, cauliflower or green beans.
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Gravy Fries: Load up french fries for an indulgent side dish.
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Gravy Bowl: For gravy purists, serve it in a bowl with a spoon for direct dipping action.
Make Gravy Like The Colonel
Recreating Kentucky Fried Chicken gravy is easier than you think with this recipe. The smooth, luxurious texture and signature flavor profile are perfect for upgrading weeknight dinners or weekend comfort food feasts. Drizzle it over anything and everything for instant finger-lickin’ satisfaction. Just be prepared for requests for second helpings!
Homemade is always the best..
Sometimes, when I pass a fast-food chicken restaurant in a shopping centre or elsewhere, I feel very tempted to go in. Once weve tasted those crispy chicken legs or wings, were hooked for life, arent we? Yet we all know that fast food chains are not good for our health: the frying oil may have been reused countless times; we dont know exactly where the ingredients come from and whether they use suspect chemicals or not. They claim they dont, but how can we be sure?.
After a lot of trial and error, I found this way to make sure the coating is perfectly crispy, just like those tempting fast food chicken meals you can get on the go. It also allows me to tweak the spices to suit the day. If its a paprika day, let it be a paprika day. Cumin, ginger or garlic powder, or sometimes all of the above. And because its homemade, I know that nothing in this dish would harm my family.
- 10 chicken drumsticks
- 2 cups (500ml) avocado oil
- 1 ½ cup (360ml) buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 egg
- 2 cups (240g) flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tsp celery salt
- 2 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1 1/2 teaspoons basil
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 1/2 cup (360ml) cup beef stock
- 1 cup (240ml) chicken stock
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp sweet paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1kg/2lb russet potatoes
- 1 tbsp salt (for the water)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup (130ml) warm milk
Kitchen utensils: large bowl, cling film, tweezers, spoon or spatula, whisk, large plate, saucepan to cook the potatoes, heavy-bottomed saucepan to fry the chicken, oven rack, large saucepan, potato ricer.
KFC Chicken Gravy Recipe – The BBQ Chef
FAQ
How to make your own chicken gravy?
Place flour in a medium bowl. For every tablespoon of water you add to the flour, whisk it until it’s well mixed and thick, but not paste-like. Stir flour mixture and remaining water (or stock) into a roasting pan with drippings from roast chicken; whisk to combine and turn heat to medium.
Are KFC gravy ingredients?
The restaurant uses a simple combination of gravy powder, water, and – their secret ingredient – chicken crackling. Feb 3, 2025.
What type of gravy is on a KFC famous bowl?
The KFC version uses a brown gravy. Since I like chicken gravy better, that’s what I used in my recipe. You can use any gravy you like, though, like turkey, brown, beef, or chicken.