Perfectly Baked Loaded Potatoes

Ingredients

- 4 large Russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped chives

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven:
- Set your oven to 400°F (204°C) and allow it to preheat for at least 10 minutes.

2. Prepare the Potatoes:
- Scrub the Russet potatoes under cold water to remove any dirt. Pat them dry with a clean towel.
- Using a fork, pierce each potato several times. This helps steam to escape during cooking.

3. Season the Potatoes:
- Rub each potato with olive oil to coat evenly. Sprinkle with salt, ensuring even coverage for enhanced flavor.

4. Bake the Potatoes:
- Place the potatoes directly on the middle rack of the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 1 hour. The potatoes are done when the skin feels crispy and the inside is tender.
- To test, insert a fork into the potato. If it goes in easily, the potato is ready.

5. Prepare the Toppings:
- While the potatoes bake, chop 1/4 cup of chives finely.
- In a small saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over low heat.

6. Assemble the Loaded Potatoes:
- Once baked, remove potatoes from the oven. Let them cool slightly for about 5 minutes to handle comfortably.
- Slice the top third off each potato lengthwise. Carefully scoop out the insides into a mixing bowl, leaving about 1/4 inch of potato inside the skin to hold shape.

7. Mix the Filling:
- To the potato flesh, add sour cream, 2 tablespoons of the melted butter, and half of the chopped chives. Mix until creamy and well combined. Season with additional salt to taste.

8. Fill and Finish:
- Spoon the potato mixture back into each skin, mounding it high if needed.
- Place the filled potatoes on a baking sheet and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes to heat through.

9. Garnish and Serve:
- Drizzle remaining melted butter over the top, and garnish with the remaining chives for a fresh pop of color.
- Serve immediately while warm as a satisfying dinner side.

Total Time

- PT1H15M
1 hour 15 minutes

Type of Dish

- Dinner

Keywords

- Baked Potatoes
- Easy Dinner Recipe
- Loaded Potatoes
- Potato Side Dish
- Gourmet Potatoes
- Homemade Comfort Food
- Oven Baked Potatoes
- Chive Garnish
- Fluffy Potatoes
- Creamy Fillings

Recipe Yield

- Feeds 4 adults

Calories

- Total Calories: 1,200

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