Step 1 of 15
Chicken, Bacon, and Pesto Potato Skins
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
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Step 2 of 15
Chicken, Bacon, and Pesto Potato Skins
Prick each potato a few times with a fork and wrap individually in aluminum foil.
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Step 3 of 15
Chicken, Bacon, and Pesto Potato Skins
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.
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Step 4 of 15
Chicken, Bacon, and Pesto Potato Skins
Arrange the bacon strips on a baking sheet fitted with a wire rack.
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Step 5 of 15
Chicken, Bacon, and Pesto Potato Skins
Cook bacon on lower-middle rack of oven, keeping a close eye on it, until it is browned and crispy, 12-20 minutes.
PRO TIP Thinner cuts of bacon will cook much faster — keep an eye on them!
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Step 6 of 15
Chicken, Bacon, and Pesto Potato Skins
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.
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Step 7 of 15
Chicken, Bacon, and Pesto Potato Skins
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.
PRO TIP An ice cream or cookie dough scoop will work well for scooping out the potato flesh!
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Step 8 of 15
Chicken, Bacon, and Pesto Potato Skins
Arrange the potato halves skin-side up on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with the salt and black pepper, and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
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Step 9 of 15
Chicken, Bacon, and Pesto Potato Skins
Bake the potato skins on middle rack of oven for 10 minutes.
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Step 10 of 15
Chicken, Bacon, and Pesto Potato Skins
Flip the potato skins and bake until browned around edges, about 7 minutes. While potatoes bake, make the filling.
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Step 11 of 15
Chicken, Bacon, and Pesto Potato Skins
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.
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Step 12 of 15
Chicken, Bacon, and Pesto Potato Skins
Remove the potato skins from the oven. Divide the potato mixture evenly between each potato skin. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the tops.
PRO TIP Are you a cheese enthusiast? Add a little more, we won't tell anyone.
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Step 13 of 15
Chicken, Bacon, and Pesto Potato Skins
Bake the potato skins on middle rack of oven until cheese is melted and outsides of skins are crisp, about 10 minutes.
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Step 14 of 15
Chicken, Bacon, and Pesto Potato Skins
Check to see that potato skins are done. Remove from oven or add time as needed.
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Step 15 of 15
Chicken, Bacon, and Pesto Potato Skins
Sprinkle the reserved crumbled bacon over potato skins and serve immediately.