From the Cook
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Chicken, Bacon, and Pesto Potato Skins
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2
Prick each potato a few times with a fork and wrap individually in aluminum foil.
3
Place the potatoes directly on middle rack of oven and bake until fork-tender, 70-80 minutes. When done, remove potatoes from oven and allow to cool until they can be easily handled. While the potatoes cool, cook the bacon.
4
Arrange the bacon strips on a baking sheet fitted with a wire rack.
5
Cook bacon on lower-middle rack of oven, keeping a close eye on it, until it is browned and crispy, 12-20 minutes.
6
Remove baking sheet from the oven and transfer bacon to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Once cool, crumble the cooked bacon into a bowl and set aside.
7
Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise. Scoop the flesh from each potato half, leaving a scant 1/4-inch border in the skins. Transfer potato flesh to a medium bowl.
8
Arrange the potato halves skin-side up on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with the salt and black pepper, and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
9
Bake the potato skins on middle rack of oven for 10 minutes.
10
Flip the potato skins and bake until browned around edges, about 7 minutes. While potatoes bake, make the filling.
11
Add the sour cream, pesto, salt, and black pepper to the bowl of reserved potato. Use a fork or potato masher to mash the mixture until it is mostly smooth. Fold in the chicken, 3/4 of the crumbled bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese.
12
Remove the potato skins from the oven. Divide the potato mixture evenly between each potato skin. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the tops.
13
Bake the potato skins on middle rack of oven until cheese is melted and outsides of skins are crisp, about 10 minutes.
14
Check to see that potato skins are done. Remove from oven or add time as needed.
15
Sprinkle the reserved crumbled bacon over potato skins and serve immediately.
My Calorie Intake
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Tips & Tricks (5)
- Double-Bake for Maximum Crispness 🥔Bake potato halves skin-side down for 25 minutes first to crisp the exterior, then flip and fill for the final bake to achieve perfectly crispy, non-soggy skins.
- Render Bacon Properly for Peak Flavor 🥓Cook bacon in the oven at 400°F for even rendering and maximum crispness, then crumble it just before assembly to prevent it from absorbing moisture from the filling.
- Balance Pesto with Sour Cream Ratio 🌿Mix pesto and sour cream in a 1:2 ratio to prevent the pesto from overpowering the filling while keeping it creamy and ensuring the basil flavor shines through without bitterness.
- Dry Your Potatoes Before Seasoning 💧Pat potato halves completely dry with paper towels after scooping out the flesh to ensure even seasoning adhesion and superior crisping during baking.
- Top with Cheese at the Right Moment 🧀Add cheddar cheese only in the final 5 minutes of baking so it melts perfectly without browning excessively, maintaining a creamy texture over the filling.
Recipe Facts
Diet at a Glance
Low Sugar
Low Carb
My Calorie Intake
Smart Nutrition 
Nutrition Per Serving
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Glycemic Analysis
Glycemic Index
Glycemic Load
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