Craving comfort food without the guilt or the wait? Our KFC Bowls Copycat Recipe is your answer! Imagine a bowl bursting with crispy popcorn chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, sweet corn, and a rich gravy, all ready in minutes. It’s quick, surprisingly healthy, and packed with flavor. Forget the drive-thru; this is homemade goodness you can feel good about – and it’s way more delicious than I ever imagined it would be!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Growing up, Thursday nights were KFC night. My Dad would bring home a bucket, and we’d all fight over the drumsticks. While I loved the chicken, secretly, my favorite part was dipping everything into the mashed potatoes and gravy. This KFC Bowls Copycat Recipe lets me relive those nostalgic dinners (in a slightly healthier way!) without the fast-food guilt. It’s the ultimate comfort food, perfected at home.
Ingredients
For the Popcorn Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Oil for frying (canola or vegetable)
For the Mashed Potatoes:
- 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 1/2 cup milk
- 4 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Gravy:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
For the Bowl Assembly:
- 1 cup frozen corn, cooked
- Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Recipe
- Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces, buttermilk, salt, and pepper. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator).
- Make the Popcorn Chicken Breading: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Bread the Chicken: Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat about 1 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully add the chicken in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Drain the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Cook the Potatoes: Place the peeled and quartered potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Mash the Potatoes: Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the milk and butter. Mash until smooth and creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Make the Gravy: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, until lightly golden.
- Add the Broth: Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, ensuring no lumps form. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Bowls: In bowls, layer mashed potatoes, cooked corn, popcorn chicken, and gravy. Top with shredded cheddar cheese (optional). Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade KFC Bowls Copycat Recipe!
KFC Bowls Copycat Recipe
Craving comfort food without the guilt or the wait? Our KFC Bowls Copycat Recipe is your answer! Imagine a bowl bursting with crispy popcorn chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, sweet corn, and a rich gravy, all ready in minutes. It’s quick, surprisingly healthy, and packed with flavor. Forget the drive-thru; this is homemade goodness you can feel good about – and it’s way more delicious than I ever imagined it would be!
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces, buttermilk, salt, and pepper. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator).1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 cup buttermilk, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Make the Popcorn Chicken Breading: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Bread the Chicken: Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated.1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 cup all-purpose flour
- Fry the Chicken: Heat about 1 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully add the chicken in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, Oil
- Drain the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Cook the Potatoes: Place the peeled and quartered potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes.2 pounds russet potatoes
- Mash the Potatoes: Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the milk and butter. Mash until smooth and creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste.2 pounds russet potatoes, 1/2 cup milk, 4 tablespoons butter, Salt and pepper
- Make the Gravy: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, until lightly golden.4 tablespoons butter, 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Add the Broth: Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, ensuring no lumps form. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste.2 cups chicken broth, Salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Assemble the Bowls: In bowls, layer mashed potatoes, cooked corn, popcorn chicken, and gravy. Top with shredded cheddar cheese (optional). Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade KFC Bowls Copycat Recipe!2 pounds russet potatoes, 1 cup frozen corn, 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 2 cups chicken broth, Shredded cheddar cheese