**Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins Recipe for Game Day**
Game day presents a fantastic opportunity to bring together friends and family for an exhilarating time filled with cheers, laughter, and, undoubtedly, scrumptious food. One of the most popular dishes that consistently captivates is Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins. This scrumptious appetizer merges the crunchy delight of potato skins with the zesty punch of buffalo chicken, making it a perfect snack for any sporting occasion. Here’s how you can create this tempting dish for your upcoming game day celebration.
**Ingredients:**
– 4 large russet potatoes
– 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken breast
– 1 cup buffalo sauce
– 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
– 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
– 1/2 cup sour cream
– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
– 1/4 cup chopped green onions
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Olive oil
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Potatoes:**
– Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
– Thoroughly wash the potatoes and dry them. Puncture each potato multiple times with a fork.
– Coat the potatoes with olive oil and season with salt. Place them directly on the oven rack and bake for roughly 45-60 minutes, or until they yield easily when poked with a fork.
2. **Cook the Chicken:**
– While the potatoes bake, get ready the buffalo chicken. In a medium bowl, mix the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce until well combined and evenly coated.
3. **Prepare the Potato Skins:**
– After baking, take the potatoes out of the oven and allow them to cool for a moment. Slice each potato in half lengthwise.
– Carefully scoop out the insides of each half, leaving approximately 1/4 inch of potato remaining with the skin. Keep the scooped-out potato for other uses, such as mashed potatoes.
4. **Crisp the Skins:**
– Raise the oven temperature to 450°F (230°C).
– Brush the interiors of each potato skin with the melted butter and season with salt and pepper.
– Place the potato skins on a baking sheet, cut side up, and bake for 10 minutes to make them crispy.
5. **Assemble the Potato Skins:**
– Take the potato skins out of the oven and turn them over. Generously fill each skin with the buffalo chicken mixture.
– Top the chicken with shredded cheddar cheese.
6. **Bake and Serve:**
– Place the stuffed potato skins back in the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
– Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly. Add a spoonful of sour cream to each potato skin, along with a sprinkle of crumbled blue cheese (if desired) and chopped green onions.
7. **Enjoy:**
– Serve the Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins hot and enjoy the way they vanish as your guests savor this spicy, cheesy treat.
**Tips for Success:**
– For even crispier skins, you can broil them for a couple of minutes after baking.
– Modify the spiciness level by selecting a milder or hotter buffalo sauce to suit your taste.
– Get creative with toppings, such as adding chopped jalapeños or a drizzle of ranch dressing for extra flavor.
Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins are not just quick to prepare but also deeply satisfying, making them a must-have for game day. Whether you’re hosting a big gathering or enjoying an intimate get-together, these tasty bites are guaranteed to be a hit with everyone.