These Homemade KFC Famous Bowls bring all the classic comfort of the drive-thru favorite right into your kitchen. With creamy mashed potatoes, baked breaded chicken, sweet corn, shredded cheese, and rich homemade gravy, this copycat recipe hits every familiar note.
A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Homemade KFC Famous Bowl
🕒 Ready In: About 45 minutes
👪 Serves: 4 servings
🍽 Calories: 620 per serving (estimate)
🥣 Main Ingredients: Russet potatoes, chicken breasts, breadcrumbs, chicken broth, corn, cheddar cheese
📖 Dietary Info: Comfort food; family-friendly; real wholesome ingredients
👌 Difficulty: Easy - simple components with straightforward assembly
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Instead of frying, the chicken is baked until golden and crispy, making this version easy to pull together on a busy night. The homemade gravy ties everything together and gives the bowls that signature KFC-style flavor. If you're craving a KFC Famous Bowl copycat that tastes just like the original, this homemade version delivers. It's a simple, family-friendly meal that's perfect for weeknights when you want comfort food without leaving the house.
For more easy chicken dinner recipes, try our Baked Greek Chicken, Creamy Lemon Chicken, Cajun Chicken Pasta or French Onion Chicken.
Jump to:
- A Quick Look at the Recipe
- Why You'll Love this Homemade KFC Famous Bowl:
- Key Ingredients:
- Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- How to Make Homemade KFC Famous Bowl:
- Recipe Notes & Tips:
- How to Store:
- Homemade KFC Famous Bowl FAQs:
- More Chicken Dinner Recipes You'll Love
- Get a FREE Healthy Meal Planning Ebook
- Homemade KFC Famous Bowl
Why You'll Love this Homemade KFC Famous Bowl:
Classic KFC flavors at home: This recipe recreates the iconic Famous Bowl with mashed potatoes, gravy, breaded chicken, corn, and cheese.
Easy baked chicken: The chicken is baked instead of fried, making it simpler and less messy to prepare.
Homemade gravy: A quick, from-scratch gravy adds rich flavor and ties the bowl together.
Simple assembly: Each component comes together easily, then layers into a satisfying, all-in-one meal.
Family-friendly comfort food: This is a dependable dinner that's always a hit with kids and adults alike.
Key Ingredients:
- russet potatoes. Perfect for making smooth, creamy mashed potatoes.
- chicken broth. Provides a savory base for the gravy, use homemade chicken bone broth or store bought.
- chicken breast. Lean and tender, these provide hearty protein when baked to crispy perfection.
- frozen or fresh corn. Offers a sweet crunch that brightens up the savory components.
- shredded cheddar cheese. Melts into a delicious topping, adding a rich, cheesy finish to the bowl.
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this page for exact quantities.
Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- Use chicken tenders: Chicken tenders can be used instead of cubed chicken breasts; cut them into bite-sized pieces before breading.
- Swap the potatoes: Use leftover mashed potatoes to save time, or substitute Yukon Gold potatoes for a slightly creamier mash.
- Make it crispier: For extra crunch, use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs.
- Change the cheese: Shredded Colby Jack or a mild cheddar blend can be used in place of cheddar cheese.
- Add extra toppings: Green onions or a pinch of black pepper on top add extra flavor without changing the base recipe.
How to Make Homemade KFC Famous Bowl:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Dip the cubed chicken pieces in the beaten egg, then coat with breadcrumbs.
- Place the breaded chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly drizzle the chicken with olive oil.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Boil the potatoes in salted water for 15-20 minutes, until soft.
- Drain the water and mash the potatoes with the milk and butter until creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- In a saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat.
- Add the low-sodium chicken broth, garlic powder, and onion powder. Bring to a simmer.
- Slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 2-3 minutes until the gravy thickens.
- Steam or boil the frozen corn until heated through.
- Start with a layer of mashed potatoes in individual bowls. Add the baked chicken and steamed corn on top. Drizzle with homemade gravy. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.
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Recipe Notes & Tips:
- Cut chicken evenly: Keeping the chicken pieces similar in size helps them cook evenly and stay juicy inside the breadcrumb coating.
- Don't overcrowd the pan: Spacing the chicken on the baking sheet allows hot air to circulate so it bakes up golden instead of steaming.
- Mash potatoes while hot: Mashing the potatoes right after draining gives the smoothest, creamiest texture.
- Whisk the gravy constantly: Slowly whisking in the cornstarch slurry prevents lumps and creates a smooth, pourable gravy.
- Layer while everything is hot: Assemble the bowls right away so the cheese melts slightly and the gravy soaks into the potatoes, just like the original.
- Season to taste at the end: Taste the potatoes and gravy before assembling and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
How to Store:
Refrigeration: Allow the bowl to cool completely, then store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing: For optimal quality, consider freezing the components separately (mashed potatoes, chicken, and gravy) in airtight containers.
Reheating: Warm leftovers gently over low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating, and add shredded cheese just before serving for the best texture.
Homemade KFC Famous Bowl FAQs:
A KFC Famous Bowl is made with mashed potatoes, gravy, breaded chicken, sweet corn, and shredded cheese layered together in a bowl.
Yes, you can make KFC Famous Bowls at home using baked breaded chicken, homemade mashed potatoes, simple gravy, corn, and cheese for a close copycat version.
Yes, the individual components can be made ahead and stored separately. Assemble the bowls when ready to serve for the best texture.
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Homemade KFC Famous Bowl
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 pound chicken breasts, cubed
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup frozen corn steamed or boiled
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Dip the cubed chicken pieces in the beaten egg, then coat with breadcrumbs.
- Place the breaded chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly drizzle the chicken with olive oil.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Boil the potatoes in salted water for 15-20 minutes, until soft.
- Drain the water and mash the potatoes with the milk and butter until creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- In a saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat.
- Add the low-sodium chicken broth, garlic powder, and onion powder. Bring to a simmer.
- Slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 2-3 minutes until the gravy thickens.
- Steam or boil the frozen corn until heated through.
- Start with a layer of mashed potatoes in a bowl. Add the baked chicken and steamed corn on top. Drizzle with homemade gravy. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.
Nutrition
Notes
- Cut chicken evenly: Keeping the chicken pieces similar in size helps them cook evenly and stay juicy inside the breadcrumb coating.
- Don't overcrowd the pan: Spacing the chicken on the baking sheet allows hot air to circulate so it bakes up golden instead of steaming.
- Mash potatoes while hot: Mashing the potatoes right after draining gives the smoothest, creamiest texture.
- Whisk the gravy constantly: Slowly whisking in the cornstarch slurry prevents lumps and creates a smooth, pourable gravy.
- Layer while everything is hot: Assemble the bowls right away so the cheese melts slightly and the gravy soaks into the potatoes, just like the original.
- Season to taste at the end: Taste the potatoes and gravy before assembling and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Karen says
Obviously this isn’t really “KFC”, but it has the essence of it- I enjoyed it! Thank you
Danielle says
What is the nutritional content of this meal?