Appetizer Fusion: Buffalo Chicken Cheese Fries

The boys and I have a couple of favorite appetizers when we go out to eat.  Cheese fries, and Boneless Buffalo wings.  We usually have to play rock paper scissors to decide which one we order.  Occasionally we settle on both.  However, we don't go out very often anymore and sometimes you just get that hankering for those things.


So the other night I thought, you know what?  I can combine the two at home, take out some of the guilt and I think I can definitely get all of the flavor.  That is not to say that this is a low-calorie meal, um....not at all.  However, it's the flavors we love, and only the french fries are fried.  Win!


Here's what you'll need:


3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 can Rotelle tomatoes
1/2 cup Frank's Wing Sauce (use your favorite wing sauce)


In an oven safe baking dish drizzle the chicken breasts with a little olive oil and salt n' pepper.  Pour the Rotelle evenly over the chicken and top with wing sauce.  Cover and cook until chicken is tender.  (30-45 minutes).  Shred the chicken after it's cook and allow the juice to soak into the meat.  If you like your chicken really spicy you can add more wing sauce to taste.

Next we're going to double fry the french fries and bake the bacon.


6-8 Russet potatoes
8 slices thick cut bacon
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
1 cup jack cheese shredded (you can use whatever cheeses you like here)


Slice the potatoes into fry size (1/4 inch) pieces.  I keep mine in cold water until ready to fry to keep them from turning brown.  Just drain and pat dry before frying them to avoid spattering in the oil.


First fry at 340 degrees for 4-5 minutes.  Drain on paper towels.  This process cooks the inside of the potato.  Once you have fried them all once and are ready, turn the heat on your oil up to 375 degrees.  Fry the once fried potatoes for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until golden and crispy.  (I use peanut oil for this, but feel free to use your favorite oil.  Canola or Corn would work well too.)

While you're frying up your french fries, bake your bacon off in the oven.  375 degrees until crispy.  Place the bacon on a broiler pan, or a sheet pan fitted with a wire rack to allow the grease to fall away.  Once the bacon is done chop it up and set aside.


Now that all your ingredients are done.  Grate your cheese, or just use the already shredded stuff in bags.  We layer this stuff up on a sheet pan.


Fries first.  With a slotted spoon, remove the chicken.  Allow the juices to drain so that you don't have soggy fries.  Add the chicken to the fries.  Top with cheeses and sprinkle with bacon.  

Bake at 375 degrees until the cheese is completely melted.

We drizzle a little Ranch dressing over these to serve.  You can use your favorite Ranch or Blue Cheese.  I make mine with Hidden Valley Buttermilk seasoning pack.  I use light mayo, 1/3 less fat sour cream and a splash of cream.  Less calories.  There's enough going on without the full fat Ranch dressing.  


I hope you give these a whirl.  I have to tell you, I impressed the boys, BDC and myself.  Best combo slash fusion slash fly by the seat of my pants concoction I've ever come up with.