KFC Bowls Recipe | Tasty Copycat KFC Bowls At Home
Published Date: October 24, 2024
Last Updated: October 24, 2024
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Love the flavors of KFC Bowls but want to make it at home? This recipe brings together crispy chicken, buttery mashed potatoes, rich gravy, corn, and melty cheese into one comforting dish. It’s easier than you think to recreate this fast-food favorite right in your own kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Homemade KFC Bowl Recipe
Quick and easy. With simple ingredients and a little prep, you’ll have a hearty meal ready in a flash.
Customizable. Adjust portions, flavors, and toppings to make it just the way your family likes.
Comfort food at its best. Creamy mashed potatoes, crispy chicken, and savory gravy—what’s not to love?
If you’re craving comfort food or need a fun dinner idea the whole family will love, this Homemade KFC Bowl recipe is sure to hit the spot.
What’s in a KFC Bowl?
A KFC Famous Bowl combines all your comfort food cravings in one dish. Here’s what goes into recreating this tasty masterpiece at home:
Chicken Breasts– Used to create crispy, juicy popcorn chicken. Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, bread and fry them to get that crunchy coating.
All-Purpose Flour– The base for the chicken’s crispy coating. It’s combined with spices to coat the chicken pieces before frying or baking.
Vegetable Oil– For deep frying the popcorn chicken chunks to create a crispy coating.
Spices– Used to season the chicken and the flour for breading. Spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper give the chicken a flavorful kick.
Egg– Dipping the chicken pieces in the egg, the flour mixture sticks to the chicken, ensuring an even coating for a crisp finish.
Potatoes– Boiled, mashed, and seasoned with butter, milk, salt, and pepper, they create a creamy, comforting layer that complements the crispy chicken.
Milk– Used in the mashed potatoes to make them creamy and smooth.
Butter-Adds richness and flavor to the mashed potatoes, making them creamy and indulgent.
Corn– Adds a touch of sweetness and a bit of crunch to the dish.
Brown Gravy Mix– Poured over the mashed potatoes, chicken, and corn, this rich, savory gravy ties all the elements together.
Shredded Cheese– Sprinkled on top of the assembled bowl, the cheese melts into the hot gravy, potatoes, and chicken, adding a gooey, creamy layer that makes the dish even more indulgent.
How To Make a Homemade KFC Bowl
Cook The Chicken. Bring the oil to 350F in a pan. Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks. Whisk the egg in a bowl. Combine the all-purpose flour and spices in a separate bowl. Dunk the chicken chunks in the egg mixture. Remove the chicken from the eggs. Dip the egg-coated chicken in the flour mixture, gently shaking off any excess coating. Carefully place the coated chicken into the oil. Fry the chicken chunks until they reach an internal temperature of 165F. Remove them from the oil and allow them to rest on a paper towel or wire rack while you’re preparing the other ingredients.
Make the Mashed Potatoes. While the chicken is frying, bring a pot of water to a boil. Peel the potatoes and cut them into bite-sized chunks. Place the potato chunks into the pot of boiling water and allow them to cook until they are fork tender. Drain the water and add butter, milk, salt, and pepper to the potatoes. Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes. Keep at it until all of the lumps are gone.
Prepare the Gravy. Prepare the package of brown gravy according to the package instructions. Feel free to use a jar of prepared brown gravy if you want to reduce the amount of steps.
Heat the Corn. Place a bowl of drained corn kernels in a microwave-safe bowl. Add a small amount of butter, salt, and pepper. Microwave for 90 seconds.
Assemble the Bowls. In individual bowls, start with a generous scoop of mashed potatoes. Layer on the corn and crispy popcorn chicken. Pour over the hot gravy and finish with a sprinkle (or a handful!) of shredded cheese.
Serve and Enjoy! Dig into your homemade KFC bowl while it’s hot and enjoy all those comforting layers of goodness!
Tips and Tricks
Here are some useful tips and tricks to help you make the perfect homemade KFC bowls:
Make it your own. Add extra toppings like green onions or bacon bits to personalize your bowl.
Make it faster. Feel free to use prepackaged ingredients. From the chicken to the mashed potatoes to the gravy, use frozen, canned, or instant options for a more time-conscious touch.
Air fryer magic. Air-frying the chicken keeps it crispy while cutting down on cooking time and excess oils.
Variations
Here are some fun variations you can try to mix up your homemade KFC bowls:
Spicy twist– Add a dash of hot sauce to your gravy or sprinkle on some red pepper flakes for a little heat.
Loaded mashed potatoes– Stir in sour cream, bacon bits, or cheese into your mashed potatoes for extra flavor.
Gravy swap– Try using a country-style white gravy for a different but delicious twist.
What To Serve With KFC Bowls
Looking for side dishes or drinks to pair with your homemade KFC bowls? Here are a few ideas:
Biscuits– A fluffy buttermilk biscuit on the side makes it feel like a true KFC meal.
Coleslaw– Add some crunch with a tangy coleslaw for a refreshing contrast.
Sweet Tea– A tall glass of sweet tea is the perfect drink to wash down your hearty bowl.
Storage and Reheating
Leftover KFC bowls can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat them, microwave your leftovers in 30-second intervals until warmed through. Keep the chicken crispy by reheating it separately in the air fryer or oven.
More Comfort Food Recipes to Try
Love this Homemade KFC Bowl recipe? Try some of my other favorite comfort food recipes for a cozy meal at home:
If you love this Homemade Copycat KFC Bowls recipe as much as our family does, make sure you share it on social media so they can try it too! Don’t forget to save it so you can make it again next time you’re craving a comfort food/fast food mashup.
KFC Bowls Recipe | Tasty Copycat KFC Bowls At Home
Love the flavors of KFC Bowls but want to make it at home? This recipe brings together crispy chicken, buttery mashed potatoes, rich gravy, corn, and melty cheese into one comforting dish.
Cook The Chicken. Bring the oil to 350F in a pan. Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks. Whisk the egg in a bowl. Combine the all-purpose flour and spices in a separate bowl. Dunk the chicken chunks in the egg mixture. Remove the chicken from the eggs. Dip the egg-coated chicken in the flour mixture, gently shaking off any excess coating. Carefully place half of the coated chicken into the oil. Fry the chicken chunks until they reach an internal temperature of 165F. This Should take 3-4 minutes per batch. Remove them from the oil and allow them to rest on a paper towel or wire rack while you're preparing the other ingredients. Repeat the cooking steps with the remaining uncooked chicken.
Make the Mashed Potatoes. While the chicken is frying, bring a pot of water to a boil. Peel the potatoes and cut them into bite-sized chunks. Place the potato chunks into the pot of boiling water and allow them to cook until they are fork tender. About 10 minutes. Drain the water and add butter, milk, salt, and pepper to the potatoes. Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes. Keep at it until all of the lumps are gone.
Prepare the Gravy. Prepare the package of brown gravy according to the package instructions. Feel free to use a jar of prepared brown gravy if you want to reduce the amount of steps.
Heat the Corn. Place a bowl of drained corn kernels in a microwave-safe bowl. Add a small amount of butter, salt, and pepper. Microwave for 90 seconds.
Assemble the Bowls. In individual bowls, start with a generous scoop of mashed potatoes. Layer on the corn and crispy popcorn chicken. Pour over the hot gravy and finish with a sprinkle (or a handful!) of shredded cheese.
Serve and Enjoy! Dig into your homemade KFC bowl while it’s hot and enjoy all those comforting layers of goodness!
I'm married to my high school sweetheart and we have three amazing sons.
I love carbs, cheese, and all things spicy and deep fried. There's nothing that makes me happier than a full kitchen table and a family with a full belly!