Bowls
KFC Inspired Famous Bowl
Creamy mashed potatoes layered with sweet corn, crisp chicken bites, savory brown gravy, and a melted three-cheese blend in one comfort-food bowl.
Inspired by KFC
Prep
30 min
Cook
35 min
Serves
4 servings
Difficulty
Medium
Pantry match
Uses the current servings and temporary recipe changes.
Missing 18 ingredients
- • 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- • 3/4 cup whole milk, warmed
- • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- • 1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- • 1 cup buttermilk
- • 1 cup all-purpose flour
- • 1/3 cup cornstarch
- • 1 teaspoon paprika
- • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- • 4 cups neutral frying oil, or enough for 2 inches in the pot
- • 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken gravy, warmed
- • 1 1/2 cups frozen corn, steamed
- • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- • 1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- • 1/4 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
View ingredient-by-ingredient match
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch piecesMissing
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, dividedMissing
- 3/4 cup whole milk, warmedMissing
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, dividedMissing
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, dividedMissing
- 1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch piecesMissing
- 1 cup buttermilkMissing
- 1 cup all-purpose flourMissing
- 1/3 cup cornstarchMissing
- 1 teaspoon paprikaMissing
- 1 teaspoon garlic powderMissing
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powderMissing
- 4 cups neutral frying oil, or enough for 2 inches in the potMissing
- 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken gravy, warmedMissing
- 1 1/2 cups frozen corn, steamedMissing
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheeseMissing
- 1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheeseMissing
- 1/4 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheeseMissing
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Method
Recipe notes
This unofficial recreation preserves the bowl's defining order and contrast: creamy potatoes underneath, sweet corn and crunchy bite-size chicken through the middle, then hot gravy and a mild three-cheese finish. Assemble only at serving so the chicken does not soften prematurely.
Planning, storage, and serving
Storage and reheating
Refrigerate potatoes, corn, chicken, and gravy in separate shallow containers within 2 hours for up to 3 days. Reheat chicken on a rack at 400°F to 165°F and warm the other components separately before assembling.
Make-ahead tips
Prepare mashed potatoes and gravy up to 2 days ahead, then reheat gently with extra milk or broth. Cut and season the chicken the same day, but bread and fry it just before serving.
What to serve with it
- - Tangy cabbage slaw
- - Warm buttermilk biscuits
- - Steamed green beans
Equipment needed
- - Large saucepan and potato masher
- - Heavy pot and deep-fry thermometer
- - Wire rack and instant-read thermometer
Difficulty explained
Each component is familiar, but keeping everything hot while preserving crisp chicken requires organized batch cooking.
Recipe calculator
Nutrition facts
Updating nutrition…
Alternatives
Apply a reviewed substitution to this temporary working copy. The published recipe stays unchanged.
Browse reviewed options
Milk plus lemon juice
For each cup, combine 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice and rest for 5 minutes.
Boneless skinless chicken thighs
Use an equal weight of boneless skinless thighs.
2% milk
Use the same amount of 2% milk for a straightforward lower-fat swap.
Type the ingredient you're missing — we'll find what you can use instead.
Pitfalls to Watch Out For
- Pouring gravy over chicken long before serving dissolves the crust; assemble each bowl only when everyone is ready.
- Wet potatoes make gluey mash, so drain them completely and add only warm milk.
- Overcrowded frying oil drops below temperature and makes the small chicken pieces greasy rather than crisp.
Nutrition Context
- Chicken and cheese add protein, while potatoes, breading, gravy, and cheese make this a substantial complete meal.
- Low-sodium gravy and a measured cheese blend keep the home version's sodium more controllable.
FAQ
What order should I layer the bowl?
Start with mashed potatoes, then corn and chicken, followed by hot gravy and cheese so the top melts without burying every crisp edge.
Can I use instant mashed potatoes?
Yes. Prepare four generous servings and keep them slightly thick so the gravy does not make the bowl watery.
Can I use frozen popcorn chicken?
Yes. Bake it until crisp and 165°F, then assemble immediately with the hot components.
How do I keep the chicken crunchy?
Drain it on a rack, keep it uncovered, and add gravy only as you serve each bowl.
Which cheeses work best?
Cheddar supplies flavor, Monterey Jack melts smoothly, and mozzarella gives the familiar mild stretchy finish.
What sides pair best with this dish?
Good pairings include Tangy cabbage slaw; Warm buttermilk biscuits; Steamed green beans. Choose one or two based on how substantial you want the meal to be.