Updated on December 17th, 2023

In 2017, KFC introduced its KFC Georgia Gold Chicken — deep-fried chicken tenders tossed with a tangy honey mustard sauce. The official press release describes the dish as “a grown-up honey mustard — sweet with attitude.” The inspiration? The honey mustard BBQ sauce that’s popular in South Carolina and Northern Georgia.

This recipe is a knock-off of the original KFC Georgia Gold Chicken. Sadly, we don’t have Billy Zane to promote it — but you do have my word that this recipe is fun to make and so, so delicious. The crunchy fried chicken tossed in the sauce is super satisfying. Plus you can save any extra sauce for dipping or dressing salads.

Can’t I just go to KFC to get Georgia Gold Chicken?

No, KFC Georgia Gold Chicken was a limited-edition menu item. It’s no longer available (at least near me) and doesn’t appear on KFC’s online menu.

But here’s a time-saving tip. In this recipe, the sauce is the star of the show. If you’re in a rush or don’t feel like the hassle of frying your own chicken, you could use frozen, breaded chicken tenders reheated in the oven or air fryer. I prefer the taste and texture of homemade fried chicken myself, but the premade kind will do the job in a pinch.

When should I make KFC Georgia Gold Chicken?

This is a great dish for parties, assuming no one on your invite list is trying to limit their fat intake. Fried boneless chicken is also a fun dish for kids. You could even enlist your more responsible little ones to help you bread the chicken. Just give them latex gloves and then you have to take over for the boiling oil part.

What should I serve with KFC Georgia Gold Chicken?

Fried chicken coated in honey mustard sauce is rich and filling, so lighter, fresh sides are good pairings. A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing works or a light coleslaw.

Alternatively, if you tend to serve people with huge appetites, you could take a page out of the Colonel’s book and serve this fried chicken with mashed potatoes or mac-and-cheese.

What do I need to make KFC Georgia Gold chicken?

Here are the ingredients for the chicken:

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (sliced into strips)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
Oil for frying
Pickle slices for serving

And the ingredients for the honey mustard BBQ sauce:

Ingredients for KFC Georgia Gold BBQ sauce. — Tip: Pick a hot sauce that suits your tastes. That is, if you don’t like spice, go mild.

½ cup yellow mustard
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/8 cup molasses
¼ cup honey
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon hot sauce

How to make KFC Georgia Gold Chicken at home

1. Make the sauce

I like to make the sauce first. This way, I’m not trying to deep-fry chicken and make sauce at the same time.

The sauce prep is simple, too. Just mix all the sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine. So grab your yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, molasses, honey, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce; measure; and mix. Cover and set aside.

If you’re moving right to the chicken, leave the sauce on the counter so it’s not too cold when you toss the chicken in it later.

2. Bread your chicken

If you haven’t done so yet, slice chicken breasts into large strips. I cut each one into four or five pieces.

Now, set out two pie dishes. In one, whisk 1 egg and ¼ cup milk. In the other, combine:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder

Flour and seasonings for breading KFC Georgia Gold Chicken.

Now’s a good time to start heating your oil. Use a deep-fryer or a deep pot with enough oil to cover the chicken pieces on all sides. Heat the oil to 375°F or 190°C.

While the oil’s heating, return to your chicken prep. Roll each piece of chicken first in the flour, then the egg, then the flour again. Lay them out on a sheet or plate lined with parchment paper or foil. Note: this chicken is very similar to what’s in our KFC Twisters Recipe.

Breaded chicken pieces, ready for frying.

3. Deep-fry the chicken

Now prepare a baking sheet or plate lined with paper towels or unfolded paper napkins.

Once the oil is hot, deep-fry the chicken in batches until they’re golden brown and fully cooked. This should take 6 to 9 minutes — definitely use an instant read thermometer to verify the internal temperature has reached 165°F or 74°C. Remove the done pieces from the oil and place on the paper-lined tray to drain.

4. Toss in sauce and serve

Place the fried chicken in a large bowl and pour about half of the honey mustard BBQ sauce on top. Toss. Add more sauce if needed or reserve the rest for dipping. Place chicken pieces on a plate and serve with pickle slices.

Yield: 4 Servings