KFC Bowls
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These Homemade KFC Bowls are here to save dinner (and your wallet). We’re talking crispy chicken, buttery mashed potatoes, sweet corn, and melty cheese—all stacked in one glorious bite. Basically, it’s your fast-food favorite upgraded for your kitchen and your cravings.
Searching for more of your favorite copycat recipes? Try my Zupas Strawberry Harvest Salad, Panda Express Sweet Fire Chicken, Wendy’s Chili, and Sizzler Malibu Chicken!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easiest Dinner Ever: All of these ingredients are pre made which makes it super simple to whip up!
- 5 Ingredients: That’s right, just five simple ingredients!
- Perfect Copycat Recipe: This super simple dinner is almost identical to the KFC version.
I absolutely love eating out. There’s something about fast food that just makes it oh-so appealing. One of my go-to places, mainly due to nostalgia as it was a go-to whenever we visited our grandparents, has to be Kentucky Fried Chicken. Something about that crispy fried chicken just pulls you and and screams comfort. When they came out with the KFC chicken bowls I was immediately hooked.
Imagine the irresistible combo of crispy, golden fried chicken, velvety mashed potatoes, sweet corn, and a sprinkle of melty cheese. It’s like a comfort food symphony that hits all the right notes. Turns out, making one at home can be super quick and easy, thanks to the use of some go-to quick prep.
kfc mashed potato bowl
homemade kfc bowl
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s keep this simple and stress-free—just like the drive-thru, but better. These Kentucky Fried Chicken bowls use shortcut ingredients that still pack serious flavor. Here’s what you need:
- Mashed Potatoes – We go with microwave mashed potatoes to keep things easy, but homemade mashed potatoes totally work if you’re feeling extra.
- Brown Gravy Packets – Grab your favorite store-bought mix. It’s quick, reliable, and tastes just like the real deal.
- Corn – Canned or frozen both work. Just heat it up and you’re golden.
- Frozen Popcorn Chicken or Chicken Chunks – Cook ‘em up in the oven or air fryer for that crispy, juicy bite.
- Shredded Cheese – Cheddar melts beautifully, but use your favorite. The cheesier, the better.
No fancy ingredients. No extra steps. Just a big, comforting bowl of YES, PLEASE.
Jesseca’s Recipe Review
This recipe is on repeat at our house. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a hug in a bowl—comforting, easy, and picky-eater approved. Even my teenager, who side-eyes most things that aren’t pizza, asks for seconds. That’s a win in my book.
Tip from Jesseca:
Air fry the chicken for extra crispiness—it makes all the difference when layering it over creamy mashed potatoes and melty cheese!
Substitutions and Variations
Want to mix things up or use what you’ve got? These KFC bowls are super flexible, so don’t be afraid to make them your own:
- Mashed Potatoes – Swap with cauliflower mash for a lighter option, or use leftover mashed potatoes to cut down on prep.
- Gravy – Have homemade gravy on hand? Even better. Or try chicken or turkey gravy instead of beef.
- Corn – No corn? No problem. Green beans or peas work in a pinch.
- Chicken – Use rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken strips, or even crispy tofu if you’re going meatless.
- Cheese – Pepper jack adds a little kick, mozzarella gives you that melty pull, or go dairy-free if needed.
Basically, if it stacks in a bowl and makes you happy, it works.
How To Make KFC Bowls at Home
This KFC bowl recipe come together in minutes and are perfect for busy weeknights when you want comfort food with zero fuss. Here’s a quick breakdown of how it’s done:
- Prepare the Mashed Potatoes: Heat your mashed potatoes (microwave or homemade—your call) and divide them into five bowls.
- Add Gravy: Drizzle gravy over each serving.
- Serve Immediately: Top with corn, crispy chicken, and a sprinkle of cheese.
That’s it! Dinner is served, and your fast-food craving has officially been conquered at home. Bonus points if you eat it in sweatpants.
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
These bowls are just as good the next day—maybe even better. Here’s how to make the most of leftovers or prep ahead:
- Storage: Store the components (mashed potatoes, chicken, gravy, corn, and cheese) separately in airtight containers in the fridge. They’ll keep well for up to 3–4 days.
- Reheating: Warm everything up in the microwave or on the stovetop. For best texture, re-crisp the chicken in the air fryer or oven.
- Make-Ahead: You can prep everything ahead of time and assemble the bowls just before serving. Great for meal prep—just keep the gravy separate until you’re ready to reheat so it doesn’t get gummy.
Perfect for busy nights, meal prep Sundays, or when you just want to heat and eat without thinking twice.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Homemade mashed potatoes taste amazing in this dish. We use instant for speed, but if you’ve got the time, go for the real deal.
Air fryer is our top pick—it keeps the chicken super crispy. Oven works well too. Just avoid the microwave unless you’re in a serious time crunch.
Yes! Prep the ingredients ahead and store them separately. Assemble and reheat just before serving for the best texture.
Keep it separate until just before serving. If reheating, use the air fryer or oven to bring back that crisp.
You can freeze the mashed potatoes, gravy, and corn—but skip freezing the cheese and chicken. They tend to get funky after thawing. Best to make those fresh when ready to eat.
Cheddar is the classic go-to, but feel free to try mozzarella, pepper jack, or a blend. Shredding your own cheese gives the smoothest melt.
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Copycat KFC Bowls
Ingredients
- 1 (24oz) container mashed potatoes (heated according to the package directions)
- 2 (.87oz) packets brown gravy packet (prepared according to the package)
- 1 (15oz) can of corn (drained and heated)
- 24oz bag of frozen popcorn chicken or chicken chunks (cooked according to the package)
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat the mashed potatoes according to package instructions. If using homemade, make sure they’re hot and creamy. Divide the potatoes evenly into five serving bowls.
- Prepare the brown gravy according to the packet directions. Once ready, spoon the desired amount of gravy over each bowl of mashed potatoes.
- Heat the corn (canned or frozen) until warmed through. Add a generous spoonful on top of the mashed potatoes and gravy in each bowl.
- Cook the frozen popcorn chicken or chicken chunks according to the package (oven or air fryer both work great). Once crispy and hot, divide evenly among the bowls.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese over each bowl. It’ll melt slightly from the heat of the ingredients—perfectly gooey and delicious.
- Serve warm and enjoy the ultimate comfort meal—ready in less time than it takes to hit the drive-thru.
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
