KFC Nashville Hot Loaded Fries Bowl: A Fiery Feast at Home

Craving the fiery flavors of KFC’s Nashville Hot Loaded Fries Bowl but prefer to enjoy it in the comfort of your own home? You’re in luck! This article will guide you through a step-by-step recipe to recreate this iconic dish, bursting with spicy chicken, crispy fries, creamy sauce, and a tangy slaw. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with this homemade version that rivals the original!

## Why Make Your Own Nashville Hot Loaded Fries Bowl?

While grabbing a KFC bowl is convenient, making it at home offers several advantages:

* **Control over Ingredients:** You can choose high-quality ingredients, ensuring a fresher and healthier meal.
* **Spice Customization:** Tailor the heat level to your preference. Want it milder? Less cayenne. Crave extra fire? Add more!
* **Cost-Effective:** Making a batch at home is significantly cheaper than buying multiple individual bowls.
* **Satisfaction:** There’s nothing quite like the feeling of creating a delicious meal from scratch.
* **Dietary Adjustments:** Easily adapt the recipe to accommodate dietary needs, such as gluten-free or dairy-free.

## What You’ll Need: The Ingredient Breakdown

Before we dive into the cooking process, let’s gather our ingredients. This recipe is divided into four key components: the Nashville Hot Chicken, the Crispy Fries, the Creamy Sauce, and the Tangy Slaw.

### Nashville Hot Chicken Ingredients:

* **Chicken:** 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces.
* **Buttermilk Marinade:**
* 1 cup buttermilk
* 1 tablespoon hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot is a classic choice)
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* **Dry Coating:**
* 1.5 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
* 1/4 cup cornstarch
* 2 tablespoons paprika
* 1 tablespoon garlic powder
* 1 tablespoon onion powder
* 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (adjust to your spice preference)
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon black pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
* **Nashville Hot Oil:**
* 1/4 cup reserved frying oil (from frying the chicken)
* 2 tablespoons paprika
* 1-2 tablespoons cayenne pepper (adjust to your spice preference)
* 1 tablespoon brown sugar
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt

### Crispy Fries Ingredients:

* 2 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch thick fries
* 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for tossing)
* Salt to taste

### Creamy Sauce Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup mayonnaise
* 2 tablespoons sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
* 1 tablespoon honey
* 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
* 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
* 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
* Salt and pepper to taste

### Tangy Slaw Ingredients:

* 4 cups shredded cabbage (green or a mix of green and red)
* 1/2 cup shredded carrots
* 1/4 cup mayonnaise
* 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
* 1 tablespoon sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
* Salt and pepper to taste

## Equipment You’ll Need:

* Large bowl for marinating the chicken
* Shallow dish for the dry coating
* Large pot or deep fryer for frying
* Wire rack
* Baking sheet
* Small bowls for sauces and slaw
* Whisk
* Tongs
* Paper towels

## Step-by-Step Instructions: Creating Your Masterpiece

Now for the fun part! Follow these detailed instructions to assemble your homemade KFC Nashville Hot Loaded Fries Bowl.

### Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

1. In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, hot sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are fully submerged.
3. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for maximum flavor.

### Step 2: Prepare the Dry Coating

1. In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, thyme, and oregano. Make sure everything is evenly distributed.

### Step 3: Fry the Chicken

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
2. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk marinade, letting any excess drip off.
3. Dredge each piece of chicken in the dry coating, pressing firmly to ensure it adheres well. Shake off any excess flour.
4. Carefully place the coated chicken pieces into the hot oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot. Overcrowding will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy chicken.
5. Fry for 6-8 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
6. Remove the chicken from the oil using tongs and place it on a wire rack to drain excess oil.

### Step 4: Make the Nashville Hot Oil

1. Carefully reserve about 1/4 cup of the frying oil (after it has cooled slightly).
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the reserved oil, paprika, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, garlic powder, and salt. Adjust the cayenne pepper to your desired spice level. This oil is what gives the chicken its signature Nashville Hot flavor.

### Step 5: Coat the Chicken with Nashville Hot Oil

1. While the chicken is still warm, brush or drizzle the Nashville Hot Oil generously over each piece, ensuring they are fully coated. The oil will soak into the crispy coating, delivering that fiery kick.

### Step 6: Prepare the Fries

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, toss the cut potatoes with vegetable oil and salt.
3. Spread the fries in a single layer on a baking sheet. Avoid overcrowding.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy. For extra crispy fries, you can soak the cut potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes before tossing with oil and baking. Alternatively, you can deep fry the fries at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes until golden brown.
5. Season with salt immediately after removing from the oven (or fryer).

### Step 7: Make the Creamy Sauce

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), honey, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, and garlic powder.
2. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the sweetness or tanginess to your preference.
3. Refrigerate the sauce until ready to use. This allows the flavors to meld together.

### Step 8: Make the Tangy Slaw

1. In a medium bowl, combine the shredded cabbage and carrots.
2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and celery seed.
3. Pour the dressing over the cabbage and carrots and toss to combine.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate the slaw for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

### Step 9: Assemble the Bowl

1. Place a generous portion of crispy fries in the bottom of a bowl.
2. Top with the Nashville Hot Chicken pieces.
3. Drizzle generously with the creamy sauce.
4. Add a scoop of the tangy slaw on top.
5. Serve immediately and enjoy the fiery, flavorful explosion!

## Tips for Success:

* **Spice Level:** Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper in the dry coating and Nashville Hot Oil to your desired spice level. Start with less and add more to taste.
* **Chicken Thighs vs. Chicken Breast:** Chicken thighs are recommended because they stay moist and tender during frying. However, you can use chicken breast if you prefer, just be careful not to overcook it.
* **Oil Temperature:** Maintaining the correct oil temperature is crucial for crispy chicken. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature and adjust the heat as needed.
* **Frying in Batches:** Avoid overcrowding the pot when frying the chicken. Fry in batches to ensure even cooking and crispy results.
* **Make Ahead:** The slaw and creamy sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. You can also marinate the chicken overnight for even more flavor.
* **Crispy Fries:** For extra crispy fries, try double frying them. Fry them once at a lower temperature (325°F/160°C) for a few minutes, then fry them again at a higher temperature (375°F/190°C) until golden brown and crispy.
* **Serving Suggestions:** This Nashville Hot Loaded Fries Bowl is a complete meal on its own. You can also serve it with a side of pickles or a cold drink to cool down the heat.
* **Experiment with Toppings:** Feel free to add other toppings to your bowl, such as shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, or green onions.

## Variations:

* **Spicy Chicken Sandwich:** Use the Nashville Hot Chicken recipe to create a spicy chicken sandwich. Serve it on a toasted bun with pickles and creamy slaw.
* **Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders:** Cut the chicken into strips instead of bite-sized pieces to make Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce.
* **Vegetarian Option:** Substitute the chicken with fried tofu or cauliflower florets. Use the same dry coating and Nashville Hot Oil to give them a spicy kick.
* **Sweet Potato Fries:** Use sweet potatoes instead of russet potatoes for a sweeter and more nutritious version of the fries.
* **Dairy-Free Option:** Use dairy-free buttermilk, mayonnaise, and sour cream alternatives to make the recipe dairy-free.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate):

* Calories: Approximately 800-1200 per serving (depending on portion size and ingredients)
* Protein: 40-60g
* Carbohydrates: 60-80g
* Fat: 40-60g

**Note:** This is an estimate, and the actual nutritional information may vary based on the specific ingredients used and portion sizes.

## Conclusion: A Homemade Hit!

Making your own KFC Nashville Hot Loaded Fries Bowl at home is a rewarding experience. You get to control the ingredients, customize the spice level, and enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal. With these detailed instructions and tips, you’ll be able to recreate this iconic dish with ease. So gather your ingredients, fire up the stove, and get ready to enjoy a fiery feast! This recipe is sure to become a new favorite in your household. Enjoy!