The announcement made today, at New York City’s famed Friars Club (unofficially dubbed the “UNFriars Club” for the event), marks the launch of this revolutionary new non-fried menu item, which is available in KFC stores nationwide beginning today.

KFC’s Kentucky Grilled Chicken is packed with flavor. It’s marinated and seasoned with a savory blend of six secret herbs and spices and slow-grilled to juicy perfection. The cooking process includes a blend of spices that is proprietary to KFC and utilizes custom-designed, patented ovens, making it KFC’s second secret recipe.

“The introduction of Kentucky Grilled Chicken is a defining moment in our brand’s storied history,” said KFC President Roger Eaton. “KGC is the latest menu innovation that showcases our commitment to meeting our customers’ ever-changing needs while staying true to the standards of high quality and great taste pioneered by Colonel Sanders. This product will transform the industry.”

With between 70 to 180 calories and four to nine grams of fat depending on the piece, Kentucky Grilled Chicken provides a non-fried option from a brand America knows and loves.

KFC Declares Monday, 27 April “UNFry Day” and Offers Free Taste Nationwide

KFC is so confident consumers will love the new Kentucky Grilled Chicken, it’s inviting America to sample the newest mouth-watering menu item on “UNFry Day,” Monday, April 27. Consumers are encouraged to stop by KFC throughout the day on “UNFry Day” and receive a FREE piece of Kentucky Grilled Chicken. A full page advertisement will run in USA Today on April 24 to remind Americans to stop by and grab their free piece of Kentucky Grilled Chicken. You can click here for more details.

Kentucky Grilled Chicken Ads Challenge America to UNTHINK KFC

In addition to the UNFry Day national sampling, KFC is also unveiling a new advertising campaign, from DraftFCB Chicago, challenging America to “UNTHINK What You Thought About KFC.” Colonel Sanders’ now-famous fried chicken may have put KFC on the map, but the introduction of grilled chicken shows KFC is not too chicken to think outside the bucket. The TV spot, produced by Academy Award-winning director Errol Morris, contains Kentucky Grilled Chicken endorsements from celebrated chefs Sandra Lee, editor-in-chief of Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Magazine, and TV One’s G. Garvin.

“The new Kentucky Grilled Chicken is delicious,” said Sandra Lee. “In addition to being a better-for-you option, I love that moms can swing by the drive-thru of their local KFC and pick up an entire meal for the family that is high in quality and taste.”

A New Secret Blend of Herbs and Spices

KFC’s second secret recipe, Kentucky Grilled Chicken, is a combination of six herbs and spices that KFC has developed over several years working with one of the world's most well-known spice companies. Only a few KFC executives know the second secret recipe and they have all signed confidentiality agreements to keep the recipe as secret as the Colonel’s Original Recipe. The high-tech, customized oven used to grill the chicken is proprietary to KFC and is patented. The original copy of the second secret recipe, kept on an encrypted computer flash drive, will join Colonel Harland Sanders’ handwritten Original Recipe in KFC’s recently renovated high-security vault.

“For years, KFC has worked tirelessly to perfect a grilled option that has the great flavor and taste America associates with Colonel Sanders’ Original Recipe,” said Doug Hasselo, chief food innovation officer for KFC. “We’re confident KFC’s second secret recipe, Kentucky Grilled Chicken, is one that the Colonel would have approved of.”

KFC “Grill Sergeants” Master Kentucky Grilled Chicken

On 4 April, KFC conducted a National Training Day, a mandatory three-hour session where KFC cooks successfully mastered the patented Kentucky Grilled Chicken cooking process, becoming KFC-certified “Grill Sergeants.” You’ll find a “Grill Sergeant” in restaurants nationwide. Additionally, Kentucky Grilled Chicken employee rallies occurred throughout the country to celebrate the groundbreaking Kentucky Grilled Chicken launch.