Monday, January 14, 2013

Loaded Baked Potato and Buffalo Chicken Casserole

You may have seen this one floating around Pinterest.  I have had it pinned for a while, but I had kind of dismissed it since it contained the words "buffalo chicken".  Those of you that read my blog regularly know that my family can't take any heat, whereas I love some schpice.  However, I decided to take a closer look at the recipe and realized I could make a couple of simple changes and make it work.  I just reduced the hot sauce, added in a ranch type dip, and cut back the green onion a bit.  Wowza! This was GOOD!

Loaded Baked Potato and Buffalo Chicken Casserole

adapted from Cook Lisa Cook
my changes are in italics

2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
8-10 medium potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/3 cup olive oil
1 1/2 t. salt
1 T. fresh ground pepper
1 T. paprika
1 1/2 T. garlic powder
3 T. buffalo wing sauce
3 T. Loaded Baked Potato Dip*
*Could use Ranch dip or salad dressing in the place of the dip I used or skip it altogether and use 6 T. hot sauce.  Depends on the level of heat you like. Or, you could use all ranch or other sauce in the place of the hot sauce.

Topping:
2 cups cheese of choice (I used 1 1/2 c. reduced fat sharp cheddar and 1/2 cup Gorgonzola)
1/2-3/4 cup real bacon bits
1/2 cup diced green onion

Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. (It's gotta be hot to cook those taters!)  In a large bowl mix together the olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, buffalo sauce and dip/dressing.  Add the cubed potatoes and stir to coat.  Pour potatoes into a sprayed 9 x 13 baking dish, reserving as much sauce as possible for the chicken.  (There will not be a lot left, but should be enough to coat the chicken).  Bake the potatoes at 500 degrees for 45-50 mins, stirring every 10-15 mins (I did 15), until potatoes are cooked through and crispy & browned on the outside.  While the potatoes are cooking, add the chicken to the bowl with the remaining sauce.  Stir to coat.  Once potatoes are done, remove from oven and lower oven temp to 400 degrees. Add the chicken to the top of the cooked potatoes.  (I know, raw chicken on top of cooked potatoes seems a little weird, but it all heats back up and cooks through.)  Cover raw chicken with cheese, bacon bits and green onions in an even layer.  Place assembled casserole in the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. 

You can serve this with extra hot sauce, ranch or blue cheese dressing if desired.  I topped mine with a little extra wing sauce, and some plain yogurt (instead of sour cream), and additional green onions.  

Verdict?  Fantastic!  This is like combining my favorite appetizers into one glorious dish - loaded potato skins and buffalo wings!  The recipe can be adapted to suit your family's taste buds, and would be great to serve for a crowd on game day.  It seems like there is some big football game coming up sometime soon?  You know, the one with all the cool commercials ;-)  The only drawback is the time it takes to cut up all the potatoes and chicken, but that could be easily done ahead of time. My plan is to pre-cook some chicken breasts, chop them up, and freeze for when I make this again, and this recipe is definitely a keeper and will be made again!

38 comments:

  1. There are so many things that are right about this recipe!

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    1. It was gooood! I already want to make it again!

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    2. But I'd have to suggest NOT using reduced fat cheese (or anything reduced fat), our bodies *need* those healthy fats! Reduced fat stuff is always full of fake, weird ingredients.

      I want to try this one!

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  2. You had me at schpice! :D I think my SIL would love this - and I think its funny that you tagged this "man food!"

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    1. well...most men, other than mine and yours! However, my husband liked this "toned" down version, he didn't think it was too spicy. Of course, he mainly ate the top, not the potatoes! I dumped extra buffalo wing sauce all over mine :-)

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  3. That looks really amazing. I definitely need to try this.

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  4. Stopping by from the January 2013 blog hop!
    That casserole looks soooo good! I know my husband would love it :)

    http://www.southernpixie.com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! I visited your blog and now following. Facebook too!

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  5. Wow, this looks great! I can't wait to try it. I agree with you, this would be perfect for a Super Bowl party.

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  6. Wonder if you could you use frozen potato chunks, assemble it uncooked, freeze then cook later? This sounds great and I am always looking for freeze ahead meals. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Hey Stephanie, I had that same thought. My guess is yes, you could. I think it would be good, but it wouldn't be AS good as the method above b/c the potatoes get infused with a lot of flavor and get nice crispy edges, that you wouldn't achieve otherwise. Let me know if you try it out, since I am trying to build up some freezer meals too!

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  7. This casserole sounds wonderful! I'm sure this is a great freezer meal, too! Sounds really good!

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  8. this looks amazing! U have a great blog.
    I am stopping by today from Mop It Up Mondays Blog Hop!

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  9. Oh Yum! I pinned this, would love for you to come over to memoriesbythemile.com and share at my link party, it's going on now.
    Hope to see you there.
    Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile

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  10.  Hi, great post. I am making this. yum! I found you through the blog hop. Please stop  by and say hi when you get a chance.  .Be sure and check out my new Blog Hop that started. It's Weekly Goals Link Up. It's a great way to stay on track. Have a great day. :) Now following you.  Here's the link for it if you would like to check it out.
    http://lenettacarnes.blogspot.com/2013/01/weekly-goals-linkup-1.html

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  11. This looks wonderful. I am going to make this. Pinned it. Thank you for sharing.

    We may have met by chance...but we become friends by choice.
    http://simpleesue.com/soup-kitchen-recipes-italian-wedding-soup

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  12. This sounds awesome! Planning on passing it along to my friends!

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  13. mmmm, this looks so delicious! Thanks so much for sharing at Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop.
    Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above
    Bethany @ Whistle and Ivy

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  14. Great winter time meal and good for parties. I suspect it would taste fine at room temperature . If you would, bring this by foodie friday today.

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  15. oh yum! Speaking of pinterest: Please come link it up at our new Pinterest party: http://mummydeals.org/pinteresting/

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  16. Kim,
    This is a awesome Casserole, with so much flavor, I can't wait to taste it. We are going to love this dish. Hope you are having a great weekend and thank you so much for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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  17. Everything about this dish screams my name. Just printed it and pinned it to my fridge so I put it on the list for next weeks dinner plan.
    Thank you so much for sharing this at Wednesday Extravaganza - hope to see you there again next week - and don't forget the voting is today!

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  18. This recipe looks delicious, absolutely delicious! I'm going to make this soon, there's nothing more that I like better than baked potatoes & hot sauce!

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  19. my mouth just started salivating at this! I like the idea of precooking the chicken though. Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friday!

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  20. YOWZA! This dish sounds amazing! My hubby would go wild over it. Thanks so much for sharing at Weekend Potluck. Always happy to have you bring your yummy recipes to our table.

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  21. Saw you featured at the Weekend Potluck! This looking DELICIOUS!! Thanks for sharing ... Pinning ;)
    Have a great weekend!
    -Brenda @ChattingOverChocolate.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! Love the name of your blog :-)

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  22. where is the recipe for YOUR baked potato sauce that you * in the recipe? Did i miss it?

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    1. The recipe is written based on what I used. The * refers you to alternatives. The original recipe called for all hot sauce (6 T.), and I reduced it by half and added a ranch type dip to cut the heat. Hope this makes it clearer!

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    2. I'm such a ding a ling. i see that picture of the jar now...

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  23. Thanks for finding and making my casserole and the changes you made sound like a great option for those that don't do heat. Thanks for the linky love and glad that this recipe was a hit in your home.

    Lisa~~

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  24. when you use "T", is that teaspoon or tablespoon? And when you use "t", is that teaspoon? Are they the same, different? This is very confusing.... Wish it would say "Tsp", or "Tblsn". Great Recipe. Thanks :)

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    1. A "T" represents tablespoon and "t" is for teaspoon. I've seen it written this way all my life so I've never given it a second thought. It might be a regional thing, I'll try to keep in mind to spell it out to avoid confusion. I just made this the other night, it is one of my favorites!

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