Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400° Fahrenheit.

Step 2

Wash the potatoes and let them soak in warm water for at least ten minutes.

Step 3

After the potatoes have soaked and released some starch into the water, remove and dry them completely.

Step 4

Sprinkle the potatoes with salt and pepper.

Step 5

Bake the potatoes for 40 minutes to an hour or until they’re tender when pierced with a fork.

Step 6

Remove the potatoes from the oven and gently brush some olive oil onto the outer skin.

Step 7

Return the potatoes to the oven and let them bake for another 10 minutes to create a perfectly crispy skin.

Step 8

Cut the potatoes in half and scoop out the flesh, being careful not to break the skin.

Step 9

In a bowl, mix together the potato flesh, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chives.

Step 10

Spoon the mixture back into the potato skins and return them to the oven.

Step 11

Bake the potatoes for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 12

Serve immediately and enjoy!