Description
This Copycat KFC Famous Bowl recipe brings the beloved layered comfort food into your home kitchen using an air fryer for perfectly crispy chicken nuggets, creamy mashed potatoes, warm corn, savory chicken gravy, and melted cheddar cheese. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a convenient and hearty dish that replicates the iconic fast food favorite with easy-to-find ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Toppings
- 20 chicken nuggets or tenders, divided
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Vegetables
- 12 ounce bag frozen corn, divided
Mashed Potatoes
- 8 ounce bag Idahoan Buttery Homestyle Mashed Potatoes, prepared and divided
Gravy
- 18 ounce jar Heinz chicken gravy, divided
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 360°F (182°C) and allow it to warm up while you arrange 10 chicken nuggets in a single layer inside the basket to ensure even cooking.
- Cook First Batch of Nuggets: Air fry the nuggets for 7-10 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside and fully cooked inside, providing that signature crunchy texture.
- Cook Second Batch of Nuggets: Remove the cooked nuggets and place them on a plate. Add the remaining 10 nuggets to the air fryer basket and cook them in the same manner to prepare all chicken evenly.
- Warm Gravy: While the nuggets cook, pour the gravy into a small saucepan and warm it over medium-low heat until it starts bubbling, about 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Once bubbly, reduce heat to low and cover to keep warm until serving.
- Cook Corn: Cook the frozen corn in the microwave following package instructions, then keep it covered inside the microwave to retain heat while assembling the bowls.
- Prepare Mashed Potatoes: In a large mixing bowl, prepare the mashed potatoes according to package instructions. Cover to keep warm until ready to build each bowl.
- Assemble Bowls: In each of four large serving bowls, spoon 1 cup of mashed potatoes as the base, then add ½ cup of steamed corn, pour over ⅓ cup of hot chicken gravy, sprinkle ¼ cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and top with 5 crispy chicken nuggets for balanced layers.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the bowls hot, allowing the cheese to melt over the warm ingredients for a comforting and hearty meal reminiscent of the famous KFC dish.
Notes
- Using an air fryer ensures the chicken nuggets are crispy without extra oil.
- You can substitute frozen corn with fresh steamed corn if preferred.
- Prepare mashed potatoes and gravy just before assembly to keep them warm and fresh.
- Feel free to add additional toppings like green onions or diced jalapeños for extra flavor.
- Keep leftovers refrigerated and reheat gently to maintain texture and taste.
Keywords: KFC Famous Bowl, Copycat recipe, Chicken nuggets, Mashed potatoes, Chicken gravy, Air fryer recipe, Comfort food, Quick dinner