Sour Cream & Chives Baked Potatoes: The Ultimate Comfort Side Dish That Steals the Show

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🍽️ Sour Cream & Chives Baked Potatoes

Serves 4 | Prep: 5 min | Cook: 60–75 min | Total: ~75 min

🛒 Ingredients

4 large Russet potatoes (the gold standard for fluffiness!)

2 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil (for crisp, golden skin)

1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste

1 cup full-fat sour cream (don’t skimp — it’s worth it!)

½ cup fresh chives, finely chopped

Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Optional Upgrades (Because More Is More):

½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

4 slices crispy bacon, crumbled

2 tbsp butter, melted

¼ cup grated Parmesan for extra crunch

Sliced green onions or pickled jalapeños for zing

🥔 Pro Tip: Choose potatoes that are similar in size for even cooking.

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Prep the Potatoes (Crispy Skin Starts Here!)

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

Scrub potatoes under cold water to remove dirt.

Dry them completely with a clean kitchen towel — this is non-negotiable for crispy skin!

2️⃣ Prick & Oil

Prick each potato 6–8 times with a fork — lets steam escape so they don’t burst.

Rub each potato with olive oil, coating evenly.

Sprinkle generously with kosher salt — it draws out moisture and seasons the skin beautifully.

3️⃣ Bake Low & Slow for Maximum Fluff

Place potatoes directly on the middle oven rack OR on a baking sheet.

🔥 Chef’s Trick: For extra-crispy skin, bake directly on the rack with a sheet pan below to catch drips!

Bake 60–75 minutes, depending on size, until:

Skin is dry, wrinkled, and deeply golden

Potato yields easily when gently squeezed (use an oven mitt!)

4️⃣ Rest Before Serving (The Secret to Fluffiness!)

Remove from oven and let rest 5–10 minutes.

This allows internal steam to redistribute, making the flesh even lighter and easier to fluff.

5️⃣ Slice, Fluff & Top Like a Pro

Use a sharp knife to slice a deep cross (+) into the top of each potato.

Gently squeeze the ends toward the center to open it up like a flower.

Fluff the inside with a fork to create peaks and valleys for toppings to sink into.

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