How to make a homemade KFC Famous Bowl, with homestyle mashed potatoes, crispy chicken, corn, gravy, and cheese. Easy copycat dinner recipe!
If you're in need of a quick and easy dinner without a ride thru the fast food lane, I've got just the recipe for you. The KFC chicken bowl has everything you need for a one dish meal.
Filled with creamy mashed potatoes, corn, and crispy chicken nuggets, it's a definite winner with my kids. For me, it's the brown gravy and slightly melted cheese that make this KFC bowl complete.
What I love about this mashed potato bowl is… It's quick and easy to make because of the ingredients I use. Not to mention, my kids can get involved and layer their own bowls.
We also love the occasional mashed potato bar (and baked potato bar) around here, so dinners like this are nothing new to this family.
Ingredients and Substitutions Notes:
- Mashed Potatoes – I prefer to buy ready made mashed potatoes; my grocery store carries Bob Evans mashed potatoes in a package, and they're delicious and easy to pop into the microwave for just a few minutes. You can also use instant mashed potatoes or homemade mashed potatoes.
- Corn – While I prefer the ease of steamable frozen corn I can just pop in the microwave, you can also use canned corn or fresh corn.
- Chicken Nuggets – I use gluten-free chicken nuggets, but you can also use popcorn chicken or chicken strips. If you do use nuggets or strips, you'll need to cut them into bite-size pieces.
- Brown Gravy – While I prefer to use a gluten-free brown gravy mix, you can use any kind of gravy you want, including homestyle gravy, ham gravy, turkey gravy, chicken gravy, etc. I even had the thought that a chicken dipping sauce or honey mustard would be good in place of gravy.
- Cheese – We use extra sharp cheddar and Colby Jack cheese. However, consider the flavors you want because the options are endless… Think smoked cheddar or smoked gouda, Monterey Jack, an Italian cheese blend, parmesan cheese, etc.
How to Make a KFC Famous Bowl
Before you can layer your KFC mashed potato bowls, you need to prep a few ingredients.
How to Prep Ingredients:
- Mix up and cook the gravy according to package directions.
- Cook the chicken nuggets according to package directions, and cut them into bite-size pieces.
- Steam cook frozen corn in the microwave, according to package directions.
- Cook or heat up the mashed potatoes, again according to package directions (unless making homemade).
How to Layer the Bowls:
- First add a pile of mashed potatoes into your serving bowl.
- Sprinkle the mashed potatoes with corn.
- Sprinkle bite-size crispy chicken nuggets on top of the potatoes and corn.
- Spoon small spoonfuls of gravy onto chicken and mashed potatoes.
- Finally, sprinkle a mixture of cheese on top of each bowl.
And that's it. Serve the bowls while warm and enjoy!
Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ's:
Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They should keep for 3-5 days.
The best way to reheat your mashed potato bowls is in the oven at 350° F. This method will help to keep your chicken crispy. If in a hurry, reheat in the microwave for 3-5 minutes, checking every minute to stir or see if it's hot; with the microwave, chicken will be less crispy.
Yes, you can. Just be sure to store your ingredients in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn. They should keep for 3-5 months.
Extra Topping Ideas for This Recipe:
There are a plethora of toppings you can add to your bowl in addition to the ingredients we've already discussed.
Delicious toppings like…
- Crushed bacon or bacon bits
- Chopped tomatoes
- Green onions
- Red onions
- Fresh chives
- Fresh herbs – thyme, parsley or rosemary
- Sautéed mushrooms
More Favorite Copycat Recipes:
- Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup
- Homemade Philly Cheesesteak
- Olive Garden White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake
- CrockPot Funeral Potatoes (just like Cracker Barrel's)
- Little Debbie Be My Valentine Cakes
If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!
KFC Famous Bowl
Equipment
- 1 Saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 ounce brown gravy mix
- 20 ounces chicken nuggets
- 2 cups steam-able frozen corn
- 24 ounces mashed potatoes
- 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup Colby Jack cheese shredded
Instructions
- Mix up and cook the gravy according to package directions.
- Cook the chicken nuggets according to package directions, and cut them into bite-size pieces.
- Steam cook frozen corn in the microwave, according to package directions.
- Cook or heat up the mashed potatoes, again according to package directions (unless making homemade).
- First add a pile of mashed potatoes into each serving bowl.
- Sprinkle the mashed potatoes with corn.
- Sprinkle bite-size crispy chicken nuggets on top of the potatoes and corn.
- Spoon small spoonfuls of gravy onto the chicken and mashed potatoes.
- Finally, sprinkle a mixture of cheese on top of each bowl.
- Serve the bowls while warm!
