This delicious and creative dish combines grated potatoes and vegetables into golden, crispy nests filled with a savory chicken and vegetable sauté, then topped with melted mozzarella and hard cheese. These Savory Baked Potato Nests are perfect as a main course or party appetizer and offer a fun, individual-serving twist on traditional casseroles. They’re kid-friendly, make-ahead friendly, and packed with nutrients and flavor. The crispy vegetable base and gooey cheese topping make them impossible to resist!
Cooking Time
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Baking Time (Base): 25 minutes
Baking Time (With Filling): 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 (makes approximately 12 potato nests)
Ingredients
For the Potato Nests:
600 g (about 1.3 lb) potatoes, peeled and grated
1 onion, grated
½ zucchini, grated
½ carrot, grated
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
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For the Chicken Filling:
1 chicken fillet (approximately 200 g), cut into small cubes
1 small onion, chopped
1–2 celery sticks, finely chopped
½ bell pepper, chopped
½ tsp salt
⅓ tsp ground black pepper
½ tsp paprika
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp mayonnaise
For Topping:
150 g mozzarella cheese, grated
40 g hard cheese (such as Parmesan or aged cheddar), grated
Fresh herbs (such as parsley or dill), for garnish
Step-by-Step Cooking Directions
Grate and Prep the Vegetables: Start by grating the potatoes, onion, zucchini, and carrot using a coarse grater. Place the grated potatoes in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. This step ensures your potato nests turn out crisp and not soggy.
Mix the Potato Base: In a large bowl, combine the squeezed grated potatoes, grated onion, zucchini, carrot, 2 eggs, salt, black pepper, and flour. Mix well until everything is fully incorporated. The mixture should be moist but hold its shape.
Form the Nests: Fill each mold about 1/3 full with the potato mixture. Use the back of a spoon to create a depression in the center—this will form the “nest” shape that holds the filling later.
Bake the Potato Nests: Place the molds on a baking tray and bake for 25 minutes at 200°C, or until the edges are golden brown and slightly crispy. Remove from the oven and set aside.
Prepare the Chicken Filling: While the potato bases bake, heat a skillet with a little vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken fillet and fry until lightly browned.
Sauté the Vegetables: Add chopped onion, celery, and bell pepper to the pan with the chicken. Continue to sauté for 5–6 minutes until the vegetables are soft and fragrant.
Season and Combine: Season the chicken mixture with salt, black pepper, paprika, and tomato paste. Stir well until evenly mixed and the tomato paste is fully integrated. Turn off the heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise for creaminess.
Assemble the Final Dish: Spoon the chicken and vegetable mixture into the center of each baked potato nest. Top each with a generous amount of mozzarella and hard cheese.
Final Bake: Lower the oven temperature to 180°C (356°F). Return the filled potato nests to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving – 2 nests)
Calories: 310
Protein: 21 g
Carbohydrates: 18 g
Fat: 17 g
Fiber: 2.5 g
Sodium: 580 mg
Calcium: 190 mg
Iron: 1.8 mg
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The Origins and Popularity of the Recipe
This dish draws inspiration from Eastern European vegetable patties, but with a modern twist using muffin molds for presentation. The idea of forming vegetable “nests” for fillings has become popular in home cooking videos, allowing for portion control and a playful approach to traditional casseroles. Combining familiar ingredients in a novel format has made this dish a social media darling among food bloggers and family cooks.
Reasons to Love This Recipe
Visual appeal: The individual portions are as beautiful as they are practical.
Balanced meal: You get protein, vegetables, and cheese all in one.
Kid-friendly: A fun way to sneak in vegetables.
Great for meal prep: Store and reheat easily.
Perfect for gatherings: Easy to serve and portion.
Health Benefits
Vegetable-rich: Includes onion, zucchini, carrot, and celery.
Good source of protein: Lean chicken helps keep you full.
Low sugar: Contains no added sugars.
Rich in calcium: Thanks to the cheese and yogurt topping.
Immune-boosting herbs: Parsley and dill offer antioxidants and vitamin C.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
Pair with a crisp green salad or cucumber tomato salad.
Add a side of roasted vegetables or steamed broccoli for more fiber.
Excellent served warm or at room temperature.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not squeezing the potatoes enough: Leads to soggy nests.
Overfilling the molds: The mixture expands during baking, so don’t overpack.
Using too little seasoning: Taste the chicken filling before baking.
Skipping the oil in molds: The nests might stick and break.
Not making a deep enough nest: This limits how much filling you can add.
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Pairing Recommendations
Drink: A light white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a sparkling water with lemon.
Soup: A chilled cucumber soup or light chicken broth pairs beautifully.
Bread: Warm crusty rolls or pita for scooping up fillings.
Condiment: Garlic aioli or tzatziki sauce is a flavorful addition.
Cooking Tips
You can use leftover roasted chicken instead of frying from scratch.
Add mushrooms or corn to the filling for variation.
Try silicone muffin trays—they release the nests better than paper liners.
For crispier bases, remove the nests from the molds after the first bake and place on a tray before the second bake.
Freeze extra nests before the second bake and add filling just before reheating.
Similar Recipes to Try
Baked Zucchini Fritters with Cheese Filling
Stuffed Bell Peppers with Chicken and Rice
Potato Pancakes with Ground Meat
Chicken and Broccoli Mini Quiches
Vegetable Muffins with Cheese
Variations to Explore
Vegetarian: Replace chicken with sautéed mushrooms and spinach.
Spicy: Add chili flakes or diced jalapeños to the filling.
Low-carb: Replace potatoes with shredded cauliflower or celeriac.
Cheese-lovers: Add a cream cheese layer under the filling.
Keto-friendly: Skip the flour and use almond flour or ground flax.
Ingredient Spotlight: Zucchini
Zucchini is a low-calorie, water-rich vegetable that adds moisture and subtle flavor to dishes. Its mild taste allows it to blend well into batters and baked goods, making it perfect for sneaking into recipes like this one. Rich in vitamin C and potassium, zucchini boosts immunity and supports heart health.
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Conclusion
These Savory Baked Potato Nests with Chicken Filling offer a creative, comforting, and visually impressive meal that satisfies the whole family. Easy to make and flexible with ingredients, they are a perfect choice for dinner, brunch, or even party platters. The combination of crispy potato shells, tender chicken, sautéed vegetables, and gooey cheese makes this dish a keeper in your recipe collection.
