Can I use homemade fries instead of frozen?

Absolutely! If you prefer making fries from scratch, go for it. Just make sure they're cooked until extra crispy to support all those toppings. A double-fry method works wonderfully - fry once at a lower temperature (325°F) until cooked through but not browned, then again at a higher temperature (375°F) until crispy.

How can I adjust the spice level?

These fries are adaptable to any heat preference. For milder fries, use less buffalo sauce or mix it with some regular BBQ sauce. For extra heat, choose a hotter buffalo sauce or add some cayenne pepper to both the chicken mixture and cheese sauce. Serving extra ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side also helps tame the heat.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Definitely! Replace the chicken with roasted cauliflower florets, chickpeas, or even meat substitutes like seitan. Toss your chosen alternative in the buffalo sauce just like you would the chicken. The cheese sauce is already vegetarian, so no changes needed there.

What's the best way to serve these for a party?

For parties, consider making several smaller batches throughout the event rather than one large tray that might get soggy. Alternatively, set up a "fry bar" with the crispy fries, warmed buffalo chicken, and cheese sauce in separate serving dishes with heating elements below, allowing guests to build their own loaded fries with their preferred amount of each topping.

Buffalo Chicken Cheesy Fries Recipe

Description

A mouthwatering dish of crispy French fries loaded with flavorful buffalo chicken and a creamy homemade cheese sauce, topped with fresh and tangy garnishes for the ultimate cheesy appetizer or snack.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Fries

1 bag (32 ounces) French fries, frozen, regular cut
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Chicken

2 cups (280 g) rotisserie chicken, shredded
1/4 cup (68 g) buffalo sauce

Cheese Sauce

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup (245 g) whole milk, room temperature
1/4 cup (68 g) buffalo sauce
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup (56.5 g) sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
1/2 cup (56.5 g) mozzarella cheese, finely shredded

Toppings

green onion, chopped
ranch dressing, or blue cheese
buffalo sauce
bleu cheese crumbles

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F. This step ensures it’s ready to bake the fries to crispy perfection.
Bake the Fries: Place the French fries in an even layer onto a large baking sheet. Bake for 50 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. During this time, prepare the chicken mixture and cheese sauce.
Prepare the Chicken Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the shredded rotisserie chicken with buffalo sauce. Set the bowl aside until needed.
Make the Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is slightly browned. Then, reduce the heat to low. Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly for another 3-5 minutes until the mixture thickens. Remove the saucepan from heat, then add buffalo sauce, salt, and both shredded cheeses, stirring until melted.
Broil the Loaded Fries: Increase the oven temperature to the broil setting. Sprinkle the baked fries with seasoned salt and pepper, tossing to coat evenly. Spread them back onto the baking sheet in a layer. Top the fries with the chicken and broil for 1-3 minutes until the fries are crispy and the chicken is heated through.
Final Assembly: Remove the loaded fries from the oven and drizzle them immediately with the prepared cheese sauce. Serve hot and garnish with your favorite toppings, such as green onions, ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, or bleu cheese crumbles.

Notes

You can substitute rotisserie chicken with grilled or baked chicken if preferred.
Adjust the spiciness by adding more or less buffalo sauce to the chicken and cheese sauce.
Serve immediately to enjoy the fries at optimal crispiness and flavor.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 360
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 850mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 14g
Cholesterol: 50mg