Fried Chicken Feast
Last Meal

John Wayne Gacy's KFC Feast

Associated With John Wayne Gacy
Prep Time 30 min
Cook Time 25 min
Servings 4

The infamous "Killer Clown" requested a bucket of KFC original recipe fried chicken, fried shrimp, french fries, and fresh strawberries as his final meal before his execution at Stateville Correctional Center on May 10, 1994.

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Instructions

  1. Brine the Chicken: Place chicken pieces in a large bowl and cover with buttermilk. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. This tenderizes the meat and adds flavor.
  2. Prepare the Seasoned Flour: In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, basil, and cayenne. Mix well to distribute the spices evenly.
  3. Coat the Chicken: Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour, pressing to adhere. For extra crispy coating, dip back in buttermilk and flour again.
  4. Fry the Chicken: Heat 2 inches of oil in a deep cast iron skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F. Fry chicken in batches, about 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Drain on a wire rack.
  5. Prepare the Shrimp Batter: Whisk together flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Add club soda and egg, mixing until just combined. The batter should be slightly lumpy.
  6. Fry the Shrimp: Heat oil to 375°F. Dip shrimp in batter, letting excess drip off. Fry in batches for 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
  7. Make the Fries: Cut potatoes into 1/4-inch strips. Soak in cold water for 30 minutes, then dry thoroughly. Fry at 325°F for 5 minutes (blanching), then again at 375°F for 2-3 minutes until golden. Season with salt immediately.
  8. Serve: Arrange fried chicken, shrimp, and fries on a platter. Serve with fresh strawberries on the side and an ice-cold Diet Coke.

The Story Behind the Meal

John Wayne Gacy, known as the "Killer Clown" for his community performances as "Pogo the Clown," was convicted of murdering 33 young men and boys between 1972 and 1978 in the Chicago area. Most of his victims were buried in the crawl space beneath his home.

On May 10, 1994, Gacy was executed by lethal injection at Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, Illinois. For his last meal, he requested a bucket of KFC original recipe fried chicken, a dozen fried shrimp, french fries, fresh strawberries, and a Diet Coke.

Gacy had worked briefly as a manager for three KFC restaurants in Waterloo, Iowa, before his first arrest in 1968. His choice of KFC for his final meal struck many as darkly ironic, given this connection to his past before his crimes escalated.

His last words were reportedly: "Kiss my ass." The execution took 18 minutes due to a clogged IV tube, one of the factors that later fueled debates about lethal injection procedures.

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