Description
Loaded Chicken & Potatoes is a hearty and comforting dish featuring tender baked potatoes stuffed with a flavorful mixture of seasoned shredded chicken, melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, fresh green onions, and creamy sour cream. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal, this recipe combines classic flavors with simple preparation for a delicious home-cooked dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 4 medium potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Chicken Mixture
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the potatoes.
- Clean Potatoes: Wash the potatoes thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
- Dry Potatoes: Dry the potatoes completely with a clean towel or paper towels to ensure even baking.
- Poke Potatoes: Use a fork to poke several holes in each potato to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Bake Potatoes: Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork.
- Heat Oil and Spices: While potatoes bake, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add Spices to Oil: Add garlic powder, paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper to the skillet.
- Toast Spices: Stir the spices in the oil for about 30 seconds to release their fragrance and slightly toast them.
- Cook Chicken: Add shredded chicken to the seasoned oil and cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Set Chicken Aside: Remove skillet from heat and keep the seasoned chicken warm.
- Remove Baked Potatoes: Carefully take the potatoes from the oven using oven mitts.
- Cool and Slice Potatoes: Let potatoes cool for a few minutes, then slice them in half lengthwise.
- Fluff Potato Insides: Use a fork to fluff the insides of each potato half, creating a pocket for toppings.
- Add Chicken Mixture: Divide the seasoned chicken evenly and spoon over the fluffed potato halves.
- Add Cheese: Top the chicken with shredded cheddar cheese evenly over each potato.
- Bake Again: Return the loaded potatoes to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles.
- Cook Bacon: While cheese melts, cook bacon in a separate pan over medium heat until crispy.
- Prepare Bacon: Remove bacon from pan and crumble into small pieces.
- Chop Green Onions: Slice the green onions into small pieces for garnish.
- Remove Potatoes: Take the cheesy potatoes from the oven carefully.
- Top Potatoes: Garnish each potato with crumbled bacon, chopped green onions, and a dollop of sour cream.
- Serve: Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your loaded chicken and potatoes.
Notes
- You can substitute cooked rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning.
- Use turkey bacon or omit bacon for a leaner option.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated for up to 2 days.
- Make sure potatoes are soft before stuffing for best texture.
