There’s a special kind of magic in recipes that bring back family memories—and this Copycat KFC Bowl recipe is one of those dishes in our house.
I first started making this back in 2014, on a chilly weekend when Matt and I had just moved into our little house by the woods. Money was tight, the kids were tiny, and going out for dinner wasn’t really in the cards. One rainy Saturday, the kids and I were flipping through my old recipe notebook when my oldest spotted a scribbled note: “make homemade KFC bowls.” I had jotted that idea down ages ago after a family road trip where we grabbed those famous bowls for a quick meal on the go.
That afternoon, with the fire crackling and the kids giggling at the flour dusting the counters, we set out to recreate our own version—layer by layer: creamy mashed potatoes, crispy popcorn chicken, sweet corn, rich gravy, and a sprinkle of melty cheese. My grandmother happened to stop by (she always had a knack for arriving just when something good was bubbling on the stove). She smiled and said, “You know, comfort food like this is what makes a kitchen feel like home.”
Ever since, these bowls have been a family favorite—especially on busy weeknights or when the kids need a little extra cozy in their bellies. They’re simple, satisfying, and oh-so comforting. And now, I’m so excited to finally share this recipe with you here on Titan Recipes. I hope it brings just as much joy and warmth to your table as it does to ours.
If you love cozy bowls and casseroles, you’ll also enjoy this Spaghetti Casserole Recipe — another comforting, family-friendly favorite!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This is one of those recipes that just wraps you up in a big, warm hug. It’s everything we love about comfort food—creamy mashed potatoes, crispy bites of chicken, buttery corn, savory gravy, and just the right sprinkle of melted cheese—all layered in one bowl.
You’ll love how easy it is to pull together on a busy night (perfect for when you’re juggling homework, dinner, and life!). And the best part? The whole family will clean their plates. My kids always ask for seconds, and even Matt sneaks back to the kitchen for one more scoop.
It’s budget-friendly, crowd-pleasing, and so much fun to make—especially if you’ve got little helpers in the kitchen. Whether you’re craving something cozy on a cold day or need a quick, hearty dinner after a long week, this Copycat KFC Bowl will always hit the spot.
Tips & Variations
- Short on time? Use store-bought mashed potatoes and pre-cooked popcorn chicken to make this a 15-minute meal—perfect for busy weeknights when you just need dinner fast.
- Make it lighter: Swap in cauliflower mash or use grilled chicken instead of fried for a little lighter take (but still so satisfying!).
- Add some spice: Stir a little hot sauce into the gravy or sprinkle red pepper flakes on top if your family likes a little kick—Matt loves it this way.
- Cheese it up: My kids are cheese lovers, so we sometimes add an extra layer of shredded cheddar between the mashed potatoes and the chicken—go ahead and make it your own!
- Extra veggies: Toss in some steamed broccoli or sautéed spinach if you want to sneak in some greens. It all works beautifully with the creamy, savory layers.
What You’ll Need
You won’t believe how simple this is—just a handful of cozy, familiar ingredients that come together in the most delicious way. Here’s what you’ll need to make your own Copycat KFC Bowls at home:
- Mashed potatoes — Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes are the heart of this bowl. You can use homemade or your favorite store-bought version (Want the perfect texture? Try this Perfect Mashed Potatoes Guide from Serious Eats!)
- Popcorn chicken — Crispy little bites of chicken goodness. I usually grab frozen popcorn chicken from the grocery store for convenience, but if you’ve got leftover homemade nuggets, even better.
- Corn — Sweet corn adds the perfect pop of flavor and color. You can use canned, frozen, or fresh—whatever you have on hand.
- Gravy — Rich, savory brown gravy ties the whole bowl together. Store-bought works great, but if you have time to make it from scratch, go for it!
- Shredded cheese — A sprinkle of cheddar (or whatever cheese your family loves) makes the bowl extra gooey and comforting.
That’s it! Simple, hearty, and perfect for when you want a meal that feels like a big warm hug in a bowl.
How to Make Copycat KFC Bowls
It couldn’t be easier—here’s how we do it in our kitchen:
- Whip up 6 servings of instant mashed potatoes, or if you have the time, go ahead and make them from scratch (homemade is always a little extra cozy!).
- Cook your popcorn chicken according to the package directions—crispy and golden is the goal here.
- Warm up your corn, either in the microwave or on the stovetop—whatever works best for you.
- Prepare your gravy—we love using an easy brown gravy packet, but homemade works beautifully too.
- Now for the fun part: assemble! Start with a generous scoop of mashed potatoes, add a layer of sweet corn, pile on that crispy chicken, drizzle with hot gravy, and finish with a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese.
And just like that—BOOM—you’ve got yourself a warm, comforting bowl of deliciousness. So simple, so satisfying, and always a hit at our table!
Storage Suggestions
If you happen to have leftovers (though in my house, that’s rare!), simply store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, I like to pop individual bowls in the microwave for a quick lunch. You can also warm them in the oven at 350°F until heated through. If the mashed potatoes seem a little dry, just drizzle on a bit more gravy—it brings everything right back to life.
And if you want another cozy meal idea, don’t miss this rich and hearty Tomato Gravy Recipe — it’s perfect with mashed potatoes too!
FAQ’s
What is in the KFC bowl?
A KFC Famous Bowl is all about comfort and layers of flavor! It starts with a base of creamy mashed potatoes, topped with crispy popcorn chicken, sweet corn, rich brown gravy, and a generous sprinkle of melty shredded cheese. Every bite is warm, savory, and oh-so satisfying — just the kind of dish that makes you feel at home.
What kind of gravy does KFC use in their famous bowls?
KFC’s gravy is a rich, brown, savory gravy that perfectly ties all the bowl ingredients together. It’s smooth and packed with umami flavor — a little salty, a little meaty — and adds just the right amount of moisture and depth to each spoonful. In this recipe, you can use your favorite store-bought brown gravy or whip up a quick homemade version — both work beautifully!
How to assemble a KFC Famous Bowl?
Assembling your own bowl is so simple (and fun — my kids love helping!). Just start with a scoop of hot mashed potatoes in your bowl. Layer on crispy popcorn chicken, scatter sweet corn on top, drizzle it all generously with warm brown gravy, and finish with a sprinkle of shredded cheese. Serve it up and watch those smiles appear — pure comfort in every bite!
Is the KFC rice bowl healthy?
KFC’s traditional Famous Bowl doesn’t typically include rice — it’s usually made with mashed potatoes. That said, whether you make it with potatoes or swap in rice, it’s a hearty, indulgent dish meant for comfort. If you’re looking to lighten it up a bit, you can use grilled chicken, a lighter gravy, or add in more veggies. It’s all about balance and making it work for your family’s needs!
Copycat KFC Bowl
Ingredients
- 6 servings mashed potatoes
- 1 24 oz package popcorn chicken cooked
- 1 15 oz can corn drained and heated
- 1 pkg beef gravy cooked
- cooked
Instructions
- Make 6 servings of instant mashed potatoes (or make your own homemade).
- Cook popcorn chicken according to package.
- Heat up your corn in the microwave or on stovetop, your preference.
- Make your gravy, we use a brown gravy packet.
- Assemble bowls by layering potatoes, corn, chicken, gravy and then top with shredded cheddar cheese.
