Homemade KFC Famous Bowl Recipe

Are you craving a KFC Famous Bowl but don’t want to leave the house? Then look no further – you can make this easy recipe at home in the air fryer or oven.

Our copycat KFC Famous bowl recipe is filled with popcorn chicken, potatoes, corn, smothered in gravy and topped with cheddar cheese. This easy dinner hits all the comfort food notes, especially when paired with a cheddar bay biscuit.

Call me crazy, but I have a hard time choosing just one dish at KFC. Do I order crispy chicken or a bowl? So when I’m craving all of the comfort foods, I go with one of the bowls so I can taste a little bit of everything. Problem solved! 

These bowls are also great to make after the holidays, just like these Thanksgiving egg rolls and leftover turkey crescent rolls. It’s an easy way to use up leftover gravy, corn, and potatoes.

KFC popcorn chicken bowls are super simple to make. And even easier when you make the chicken in the air fryer. I’m also going to share a few shortcuts with you that will save even more time, so you can make this an easy weeknight meal anytime the craving hits. 

This recipe is very adaptable. You can adjust the quantities to your preferences. Or swap out rotisserie chicken or roasted turkey if that’s what you have on hand. 

Ingredients Needed 

• chicken breasts – when cubing the chicken, try to cut the pieces in similar sizes 
• eggs
• cornstarch – secret ingredient to get that crispy outside like KFC does
• flour
• Nature’s seasoning – this is a blend of salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder, but feel free to mix your own if preferred 
• mashed potatoes – these need to be cooked ahead of time
• brown gravy
• corn
• shredded cheddar cheese

How to Make the KFC Famous Bowl Recipe

Preheat the air fryer to 385 degrees F. Setup a dredging station using 3 bowls. One that contains the beaten eggs, one with cornstarch, and one with the flour mixed with the seasoning. 

Dip each piece of chicken first into the cornstarch, then the egg, ending with the flour mixture. Place the breaded pieces on a plate until you are ready to cook. 

Spray the air fryer basket with oil or use a parchment paper liner so the chicken doesn’t stick to the basket. 

Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally. 

Just before the chicken has finished cooking, warm the mashed potatoes, gravy, and corn in the microwave separately. 

Assemble the Bowls

Add a cup of mashed potatoes to 4 bowls. 

Top with a ½ cup of corn. 

Divide the cooked chicken evenly among the bowls and ladle on a ½ cup of gravy. 

Top with shredded cheese and serve immediately.

How to Make KFC Famous Bowl as a Casserole 

While these famous bowls are off-the-charts delicious, you can throw together a casserole if you don’t want to make individual bowls. 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place a layer of mashed potatoes in 9×13 casserole dish. Top with corn, then add the chicken. Bake for 15 minutes, then top with cheese. Bake for another 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted, and pour the gravy over top. 

Tips for Making 

• Use frozen popcorn chicken or grab some from the deli in place of the homemade chicken nuggets. 
• Take this dish to the next level by swapping cooked mac and cheese for the mashed potatoes. 
• Frozen corn can be used instead of canned. Just thaw it completely first so it doesn’t make the bowls soggy.
• Save time by using instant potatoes or heat and serve potatoes from the grocery. Or use leftover mashed potatoes if you have them on hand. 
• If you’re making the casserole version, make sure your gravy is hot before adding it to the top so it doesn’t cool down the casserole. 
• Don’t have an air fryer? Bake the chicken in the oven at 375 degrees F on a parchment lined baking sheet. 

How to Store Leftovers

Keep the leftover ingredients in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days in separate airtight containers. 

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