What is the difference between the Famous Bowl and the Mashed Potato Bowl?

The KFC Famous Bowl includes mashed potatoes, sweet corn, crispy chicken, gravy, and cheese. The Mashed Potato Bowl usually contains only mashed potatoes, gravy, and cheese, making the Famous Bowl more filling and flavorful.

How many calories are in the Famous Bowl?

A typical KFC Famous Bowl has around 740–920 calories, depending on portion size and location. Homemade versions may vary based on ingredients used.

Is the Famous Bowl vegetarian?

No. The classic bowl contains popcorn chicken, so it is not vegetarian. For a vegetarian option, you can use plant-based nuggets or tofu in a homemade KFC bowl recipe.

Can I remove corn or chicken from the bowl?

Yes. You can customize the bowl to remove corn, chicken, or cheese according to taste or dietary preferences.

Is there a spicy version of the Famous Bowl?

Yes. Some locations offer the Nashville Hot Famous Bowl, which adds Nashville hot sauce to the chicken for a spicy kick. Availability may vary by location.

No. The popcorn chicken breading and gravy contain gluten. For a gluten-free version, you can make a homemade bowl using gluten-free alternatives.

What drinks pair best with the Famous Bowl?

Soft drinks, iced tea, or lemonade are popular choices. A cold beverage balances the rich, cheesy, and savory flavors of the bowl.

KFC Famous Bowl Price, Recipe & Calories 2025

If there’s one menu item that proves comfort food never goes out of style, it’s the KFC famous bowl. The $5 KFC Famous Bowl packs mashed potatoes, sweet corn, crispy chicken bites, rich brown gravy, and a generous layer of melted cheese. Millions order it every year because it offers flavor, convenience, and pure comfort in a single bowl.

This guide walks you through the full breakdown, including ingredients, allergen details, and KFC bowl calories, so you understand the dish better than most customers do.

KFC Famous Bowl

$5 | 590 Cal

Explore the full menu details here: KFC Menu and Prices 2025

Table of Contents

What’s Inside the Famous Bowl?

Famous bowl structure is simple but smart; each layer is designed to give a different texture. Here’s what you get in every serving of the bowl:

Layer	What It Adds
Mashed Potatoes	Creamy base, makes the bowl filling
Sweet Corn	Adds sweetness and crunch
Crispy Chicken Bites	The signature KFC crunch
Brown Gravy	Warm, savory flavor tying everything together
Shredded Cheese (typically cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack)	Melts on top for a creamy finish

Some stores offer a spicy version by topping the bowl with Nashville hot sauce. This variation is trending because customers want more heat without changing the original KFC bowl recipe.

Nutritional Information

The most asked question is about KFC bowl calories, especially for those tracking daily intake. A standard bowl delivers enough energy for a full meal. Here’s a clear breakdown:

Nutrient	Amount (per 510g bowl)	% Daily Value
Calories	590	–
Total Fat	35g	45%
Saturated Fat	7.9g	40%
Trans Fat	1.1g	–
Cholesterol	53mg	18%
Sodium	2,498mg	109%
Carbohydrates	79g	29%
Dietary Fiber	6.7g	24%
Sugars	6.4g	–
Protein	29g	–
Potassium	1,273mg	27%

To give real-world perspective, the KFC bowl calories fall in the same range as a typical fast-food burger meal, but the bowl feels heavier because of the potatoes and gravy. Many customers say one bowl keeps them full for 4–5 hours, making it a solid option for a single-item meal.

See detailed KFC hours

Allergen Information

If you love the KFC Famous Bowl but need allergen clarity, this section helps you decide safely. Since the KFC bowl includes fried chicken, potatoes, gravy, and cheese, multiple common allergens may be present.

The bowl may contain the following allergens:

Allergen	Present?
Wheat/Gluten	Yes
Milk/Dairy	Yes
Soy	Possible (depends on chicken breading)
Corn	Yes
MSG	Present in some KFC seasonings

⚠️ The KFC Famous Bowl is not gluten-free and not suitable for those with celiac disease or severe allergies due to cross-contact risk because chicken is fried in shared fryers.

Ingredients Breakdown

The KFC Famous Bowl uses mashed potatoes as the base, followed by sweet corn, crispy chicken nuggets, brown gravy, and shredded cheese. These ingredients are pre-portioned in stores to keep every serving similar, which is why the bowl tastes almost identical no matter where you order it.

Here is the complete ingredient list in value order:

Component	Main Ingredients
Mashed Potatoes	Potatoes, milk, salt, butter flavor
Corn	Sweet kernel corn
Chicken	Boneless crispy nuggets (flour, spices)
Gravy	Chicken broth, flour, seasoning
Cheese	Shredded three-cheese blend

This breakdown also helps you understand why KFC bowl calories vary slightly between stores because small changes in cheese or gravy portions can increase calories quickly.

Make It a Combo

If you want a fuller meal, KFC lets you turn the KFC Famous Bowl into a combo. A drink plus a side can give you a better balance. Most people add fries, a dinner roll, or a soft drink to their KFC bowl order.

Famous Bowl Combo Includes:

1 Famous Bowl
1 Medium Drink
1 Side (fries, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, etc.)

Meal Option	Price	Calories
Famous Bowl (Single)	$5.00	590
Famous Bowl Combo	$7.99–$8.99	750–880

If you’re monitoring KFC bowl calories, adding fries increases the total by around 300–320 calories, while a biscuit adds about 180 calories.

Customization Options

Popular customizations include extra cheese, extra chicken, gravy on the side, or swapping crispy chicken for grilled nuggets. When people create a homemade KFC bowl recipe, these are usually the first modifications they try.

Here are the most requested add-ons:

Extra crispy nuggets
Extra gravy
Double cheese
No corn version
Add Nashville hot sauce
Swap chicken for grilled

If you’re counting KFC bowl calories, be aware that every extra scoop of cheese adds around 70–90 calories.

Check also: KFC Bucket Price, Sizes, & Recipe 2025

How to Make a Copycat KFC Famous Bowl at Home?

A lot of fans search for a copycat KFC Famous Bowl to make at home because it’s cheaper and allows better control over ingredients. When recreating the KFC bowl recipe, the goal is to match the textures: creamy potatoes, sweet corn, crispy chicken, and warm gravy. People often prepare chicken tenders or popcorn chicken in an air fryer for the same crunch without deep-frying. You also control salt, gravy thickness, and cheese quality, which helps if you’re managing sodium or calories.

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

20 mins

Cuisine

American

Serving

4 People

Yield

4 Bowls

Equipment

cutting board
3 shallow bowl or empty pie plates
whisk
dutch oven
slotted spoon
Medium saucepan for gravy and potatoes
Microwave-safe bowl for cheese melting
Mixing spoon or spatula for layering

Ingredients

1 (12 oz) bag frozen popcorn chicken
2 packages instant mashed potatoes (or 4 cups prepared mashed potatoes)
10 oz frozen sweet corn
2 cups shredded cheddar or three-cheese blend
10.5 oz can brown gravy (or 1.5 cups homemade gravy)
Optional: 2 tbsp chopped chives or scallions
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (for extra flavor)

Instructions

1. Prepare the mashed potatoes: Cook or microwave the instant mashed potatoes until creamy. If using homemade, mash about 4 cups of potatoes with butter and milk.

2. Cook the popcorn chicken: Bake or air-fry the 12 oz bag until golden brown and crispy.

3. Heat the corn: Microwave or sauté the 10 oz frozen corn until warm.

4. Warm the gravy: Pour the 10.5 oz can into a saucepan and heat until hot; stir in 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce for extra flavor if desired.

5. Assemble the bowl: Start with mashed potatoes at the base, layer corn, then chicken, pour gravy over, and top with 2 cups shredded cheese.

6. Optional garnish: Sprinkle chopped chives or scallions on top for color and freshness.

Quick Tips

A small adjustment can make a big difference in your homemade KFC Famous Bowl:

To get extra crunch, double the breading.
Keep the frying oil temperature constant at 350°F.
Layer evenly: Ensure each bite has a little chicken, gravy, corn, and cheese.
Cheese choice: Using a three-cheese blend or sharp cheddar gives a richer flavor than mild cheddar alone.
Optional spice: Add a pinch of paprika or hot sauce for a subtle kick without overpowering the classic taste.
Use the air fryer: It is highly recommended to heat the chicken in air fryer to give it perfect “chicken crisp”.
Serving Suggestions: This famous bowl recipe yields a complete meal but it would be great with buttermilk biscuits or copycat KFC Coleslaw.
Make the mashed potatoes, gravy, and corn all before the chicken because all these things can be rewarmed after the chicken.

Variations to Try

The KFC Famous Bowl is incredibly versatile, and small tweaks can create new flavor experiences while keeping the comfort-food feel. Many fans enjoy experimenting with toppings, proteins, or spice levels.

Spicy Bowl: Add Nashville hot sauce to the chicken before assembly.
Grilled Chicken Version: Swap popcorn chicken for grilled chicken bites for a lighter option.
Loaded Cheese Bowl: Mix cheddar with mozzarella or Colby-Jack for extra gooeyness.
Vegetarian Option: Replace chicken with crispy fried tofu or plant-based nuggets.
Extra Veggies: Add peas, diced carrots, or roasted bell peppers for more nutrients.

These variations let you customize your bowl while maintaining the layers that make the KFC bowl so satisfying.

Storing Leftovers

If you make more than one bowl or have leftovers, proper storage keeps it safe and tasty. The KFC Famous Bowl layers can handle refrigeration but require reheating carefully to preserve texture.

Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Reheating: Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring gently to prevent sogginess.
Cheese Tip: Add fresh shredded cheese after reheating for a melted topping.

Following these steps helps maintain flavor and prevents the mashed potatoes and chicken from drying out, while keeping KFC bowl calories consistent.

KFC Famous Bowl Recipe Nutrition

The KFC Famous Bowl is a filling meal packed with protein, carbs, and fats. Here’s the detailed nutritional breakdown for one bowl:

Nutrient	Amount	Nutrient	Amount
Calories	920 kcal	Carbohydrates	63 g
Protein	54 g	Fat	51 g
Saturated Fat	20 g	Polyunsaturated Fat	7 g
Monounsaturated Fat	16 g	Trans Fat	0.2 g
Cholesterol	199 mg	Sodium	823 mg
Potassium	1172 mg	Fiber	5 g
Sugar	3 g	Vitamin A	1032 IU
Vitamin C	55 mg	Calcium	438 mg
Iron	3 mg	–	–

Quick Dinner Shortcut

The KFC Famous Bowl is perfect for quick dinners when you want comfort without spending hours in the kitchen. Using pre-made or frozen components makes it faster while still tasting authentic.

Use frozen popcorn chicken and instant mashed potatoes to cut prep time to 15–20 minutes.
Heat gravy in the microwave while cooking chicken to save extra minutes.
Assemble ingredients in bowls directly for fast service, topping with cheese last to melt perfectly.

This shortcut keeps the meal simple, satisfying, and flavorful while giving you control over KFC bowl calories and portion size.

FAQs

The KFC Famous Bowl layers chicken, corn, mashed potatoes, gravy, and cheese, while the Mashed Potato Bowl often has just potatoes, gravy, and cheese without the chicken or extra toppings. The Famous Bowl is more filling and flavorful due to its layers.

A standard serving of the KFC Famous Bowl has around 740–750 calories. If you add extra cheese or chicken, the KFC bowl calories can increase.

No. The classic Famous Bowl contains popcorn chicken, so it’s not vegetarian. For a vegetarian version, you can swap chicken for fried tofu or plant-based nuggets in your homemade KFC bowl recipe.

Yes. KFC allows customization, and you can remove corn, chicken, or even cheese according to your taste or dietary needs.

Yes. The spicy Famous Bowl adds Nashville hot sauce to the chicken, giving the bowl a rich, spicy flavor without altering other layers.

No. The popcorn chicken is breaded with wheat flour, and the gravy contains flour as well. Homemade versions can use gluten-free alternatives to reduce gluten content.

Soft drinks, iced tea, or lemonade pair well, balancing the hearty, cheesy flavors of the bowl. Many diners prefer a cold beverage to contrast the warm layers.

Many KFC locations allow you to order extra chicken on the side. Adding them directly to the bowl depends on the store’s policy.

Yes. KFC uses a shredded cheese blend such as cheddar or a three-cheese mix, which melts nicely over the warm layers.

A standard serving contains roughly 823–2350 mg of sodium, depending on portion size and ingredients used. Homemade versions can help control salt content.

Yes. Pair the bowl with a drink and a side like fries or a biscuit to make a full combo meal.

Very filling. The combination of mashed potatoes, chicken, gravy, cheese, and corn makes it a complete meal that can keep you satisfied for several hours.

Yes. Swapping grilled chicken makes the bowl lighter while maintaining the classic layered flavors.

The spicy version contains mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, cheese, and Nashville hot popcorn chicken. It’s a hotter variation of the classic KFC Famous Bowl.

KFC Famous Bowl Price, Recipe & Calories 2025