Buffalo Chicken Twice Baked Potatoes: Spicy Comfort Food Perfection!

These Buffalo Chicken Twice Baked Potatoes are the ultimate comfort food with a kick! Creamy, cheesy potatoes are loaded with spicy buffalo chicken and topped with even more cheese. They’re perfect for a game day appetizer, a satisfying lunch, or even a fun and flavorful dinner. This recipe is easy to customize to your preferred spice level and topping preferences.

## Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **Spicy and Flavorful:** The combination of creamy potatoes, tangy buffalo sauce, and juicy chicken is irresistible.
* **Customizable:** Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to control the heat. Add your favorite toppings like blue cheese crumbles, ranch dressing, or green onions.
* **Perfect for Any Occasion:** These potatoes are great for parties, game days, potlucks, or a casual weeknight meal.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** You can bake the potatoes and prepare the chicken filling ahead of time. Assemble and bake just before serving.
* **Satisfying and Filling:** These twice baked potatoes are a complete meal in themselves.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Potatoes:** Russet potatoes are the best choice for twice baked potatoes because of their fluffy texture.
* **Chicken:** Cooked and shredded chicken breast works best. You can use leftover grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, or poach your own.
* **Buffalo Sauce:** Use your favorite brand of buffalo wing sauce. Frank’s RedHot is a popular choice.
* **Cream Cheese:** Softened cream cheese adds richness and creaminess to the filling.
* **Cheddar Cheese:** Shredded cheddar cheese provides a sharp and cheesy flavor. You can use a mild or sharp cheddar, depending on your preference.
* **Butter:** Butter adds flavor and helps to create a creamy potato filling.
* **Milk or Cream:** Milk or cream thins out the potato mixture and adds moisture.
* **Garlic Powder:** Garlic powder enhances the flavor of the filling.
* **Onion Powder:** Onion powder adds a subtle onion flavor.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste.
* **Optional Toppings:** Blue cheese crumbles, ranch dressing, green onions, sour cream, bacon bits.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a detailed guide to making the best Buffalo Chicken Twice Baked Potatoes:

**Step 1: Bake the Potatoes**

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Scrub the potatoes clean and prick them several times with a fork. This allows steam to escape while baking.
3. Rub the potatoes with olive oil or vegetable oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. This helps the skin to crisp up.
4. Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet. Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until they are soft and easily pierced with a fork. Baking time depends on the size of the potatoes.
5. Remove the potatoes from the oven and let them cool slightly before handling.

**Step 2: Prepare the Chicken Filling**

1. While the potatoes are baking, prepare the buffalo chicken filling. In a medium bowl, combine the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to your desired level of spiciness. Mix well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated.
2. Set the chicken filling aside.

**Step 3: Scoop and Mash the Potatoes**

1. Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut them in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out the potato flesh, leaving about ¼ inch of potato inside the skin to maintain its shape.
2. Place the scooped-out potato flesh in a large bowl.
3. Add the softened cream cheese, butter, milk (or cream), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the bowl with the potatoes.
4. Use a potato masher or an electric mixer to mash the potatoes until smooth and creamy. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the potatoes gummy.
5. Stir in about half of the shredded cheddar cheese into the mashed potato mixture.

**Step 4: Assemble the Twice Baked Potatoes**

1. Spoon the mashed potato mixture back into the potato skins, filling them evenly.
2. Top each potato with the buffalo chicken filling. Divide the filling evenly among the potatoes.
3. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the buffalo chicken filling.

**Step 5: Bake Again**

1. Place the assembled potatoes on a baking sheet.
2. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the potatoes are heated through.

**Step 6: Add Toppings and Serve**

1. Remove the potatoes from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
2. Top with your favorite toppings, such as blue cheese crumbles, ranch dressing, green onions, sour cream, or bacon bits.
3. Serve immediately and enjoy!

## Tips and Variations

* **Spice Level:** Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to control the heat. For a milder flavor, use a mild buffalo sauce or mix it with ranch dressing. For extra heat, add a dash of cayenne pepper.
* **Cheese:** Experiment with different types of cheese. Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a blend of cheddar and mozzarella would all be delicious.
* **Chicken:** Instead of using shredded chicken breast, you can use ground chicken or turkey. Cook and crumble the ground meat before adding it to the buffalo sauce.
* **Vegetarian Option:** Replace the chicken with black beans or chickpeas for a vegetarian version. Toss the beans or chickpeas with buffalo sauce before adding them to the potatoes.
* **Add Vegetables:** Mix in cooked vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, or bell peppers into the potato filling or the chicken mixture.
* **Make it Healthier:** Use Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese and skim milk instead of cream to reduce the fat content.
* **Make Ahead:** The potatoes can be baked and filled ahead of time. Cover them tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake them just before serving, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
* **Freezing:** Twice baked potatoes can be frozen for up to 2 months. Wrap each potato individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before baking.

## Serving Suggestions

* Serve these Buffalo Chicken Twice Baked Potatoes as an appetizer for game day parties or potlucks.
* They also make a satisfying and flavorful lunch or dinner.
* Serve them with a side salad or coleslaw for a complete meal.
* Offer a variety of toppings so guests can customize their potatoes to their liking.

## Detailed Recipe Card

**Buffalo Chicken Twice Baked Potatoes**

The ultimate comfort food with a kick! Creamy, cheesy potatoes loaded with spicy buffalo chicken.

**Prep Time:** 20 minutes
**Cook Time:** 1 hour 15 minutes
**Total Time:** 1 hour 35 minutes
**Servings:** 4

**Ingredients:**

* 4 large russet potatoes
* 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken breast
* ½ cup buffalo wing sauce (Frank’s RedHot recommended)
* 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
* 4 tablespoons butter
* ¼ cup milk or cream
* ½ teaspoon garlic powder
* ½ teaspoon onion powder
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Optional toppings: blue cheese crumbles, ranch dressing, green onions, sour cream, bacon bits

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Scrub potatoes and prick with a fork. Rub with oil, salt, and pepper. Bake for 45-60 minutes, until soft.
2. While potatoes bake, combine shredded chicken and buffalo sauce in a bowl. Set aside.
3. When potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out the flesh, leaving ¼ inch inside the skin. Place flesh in a bowl.
4. Add cream cheese, butter, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the potato flesh. Mash until smooth. Stir in half of the cheddar cheese.
5. Spoon the mashed potato mixture back into the potato skins.
6. Top each potato with the buffalo chicken filling.
7. Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese over the chicken.
8. Place potatoes on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Remove from oven and top with your favorite toppings. Serve immediately.

**Nutrition Information (per serving, approximate):**

* Calories: 450-550
* Protein: 30-40g
* Fat: 20-30g
* Carbohydrates: 40-50g

## Enjoy!

These Buffalo Chicken Twice Baked Potatoes are sure to be a hit! Let me know in the comments how you like them and what toppings you used. Happy cooking!

## Related Recipes

Consider adding these related recipes to your blog post:

* Classic Twice Baked Potatoes
* Loaded Baked Potato Soup
* Buffalo Chicken Dip
* Spicy Buffalo Chicken Wings

These recipes complement the buffalo chicken twice baked potatoes and offer your readers more options for game day or casual meals.