Chicken Bacon Ranch BBQ Stuffed Potatoes
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Large bowl
- Instant Pot or stovetop pan
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- Potatoes 1 sack, about 8 medium potatoes
- 900 g shredded chicken 2 lbs
- Shredded cheese about 2 cups
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Bacon 8 slices, cooked and crumbled
- BBQ sauce about 1 cup
- Ranch dressing for serving
- Oil for rubbing potatoes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Cook bacon until crispy and set aside.
- Poke holes in potatoes, rub with oil, salt, and pepper.
- Bake potatoes for 1 hour.
- Let cool slightly, then cut in half.
- Scoop out the potato centers and place into a bowl.
- Cook chicken breasts to your liking. For an Instant Pot: add chicken, spices, and 1 cup chicken broth. Cook 10 minutes, then wait 5 minutes before releasing steam. Shred.
- Add potato filling, shredded chicken, cheese, BBQ sauce, and bacon to the bowl and mix.
- Fill the potato shells with the mixture.
- Top with more cheese and bake until melted.
- Serve with ranch for dipping.
Video
Nutrition
A Hearty and Flavorful Comfort Meal
These chicken bacon ranch BBQ stuffed potatoes bring together smoky, creamy, and savory flavors in a simple and comforting recipe. They feel warm and satisfying, and they come together with ingredients you probably already have on hand. Because the potatoes bake until soft and fluffy, they create the perfect base for a rich and flavorful filling. This dish works well for family dinners, game day, or any night when you want something cozy without a complicated process.
Preparing the Potatoes
You begin by baking the potatoes until the skins turn crisp and the centers soften. This step gives the dish its structure and ensures the filling stays creamy. As the potatoes cook, you can prepare the chicken and bacon. The timing works well because everything finishes around the same moment. Once the potatoes cool slightly, you scoop out the centers and place them into a bowl. This creates space for the filling and gives you a soft base to mix with the chicken and seasonings.
Building the Filling
Next, you prepare the chicken. You can cook it in an Instant Pot, on the stovetop, or use leftover chicken if you want to save time. After shredding the chicken, you add it to the bowl with the potato filling. The mixture becomes even more flavorful once you add cheese, bacon, BBQ sauce, and seasonings. Because the ingredients blend easily, the filling turns creamy and rich without much effort. The BBQ sauce adds sweetness and smoke, while the bacon brings a salty crunch. The cheese melts into the mixture and ties everything together.
Stuffing and Baking
After you mix the filling, you spoon it back into the potato shells. This step feels satisfying because the potatoes hold the mixture well and stay sturdy. Once the potatoes are filled, you top them with more cheese. As they bake again, the cheese melts and forms a warm, golden layer. This final bake warms the filling, softens the potatoes, and creates a comforting finish. Although the step is simple, it makes the dish feel complete and adds a cozy texture.
Serving and Enjoying
These chicken bacon ranch BBQ stuffed potatoes taste great on their own, but they become even better with a drizzle of ranch. The cool and tangy flavor balances the sweetness of the BBQ sauce and the richness of the cheese. Because the filling reheats well, you can save leftovers for lunch or meal prep. The potatoes stay creamy and flavorful even after sitting in the fridge. This recipe offers a mix of textures and flavors that feel satisfying and easy to enjoy. It also gives you room to adjust the ingredients to match your taste.