These BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes just might be your new favorite weeknight meal! The sweet and tangy flavors combine perfectly for an irresistible dinner that the whole family will love. It’s super easy to meal prep, too, so you’ll be digging in in no time.
Table of Contents
- Stuffed Sweet Potatoes: The Weeknight Dinner Winner
- Notes About Key Ingredients
- How to Make BBQ Chicken Sweet Potatoes
- More Toppings to Take it Over-the-Top
- Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?
- FAQs
- What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Sweet Potatoes
- More Sweet Potato Recipes
- BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Ever since I stumbled upon the delightful combination of sweet potatoes and BBQ sauce I’ve been hooked (we can all thank this One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Broccoli recipe for that discovery!).
One night, I was at a loss for dinner ideas. Then, I saw a jar of BBQ sauce in the fridge sitting next to a rotisserie chicken and I knew what I had to do.
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes: The Weeknight Dinner Winner
- SO easy to make.
- Great for meal prep.
- Perfectly customizable. Each person can dial in the toppings to their own preferences!
- It’s made with pantry staples – sweet potatoes last so long, BBQ sauce can be stored in the pantry, and chicken can be frozen and then thawed when ready to cook!
- Kids love this dish!
You should check out these Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes for a vegetarian variation next!
Notes About Key Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes. You’ll want all the potatoes to be really close to the same size so they cook up evenly. Also, err on the side of smaller potatoes so each person can get their own individual potato.
- BBQ sauce. Make sure you find a good one you like the taste of! You can go with sweet or more peppery, it’s totally up to you! Try Stubb’s Original BBQ Sauce. It’s made in Austin and my favorite!
- Chicken. Use chicken breasts in this recipe. Chicken thighs work great too, but will need to cook a little longer. You can also use rotisserie chicken, cook in the slow cooker, or make Instant Pot Shredded Chicken.
- Toppings. The sky is the limit! Try diced red onion and chopped cilantro. These are also delicious with pickled onions, pickled jalapeños, or pickled garlic.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Sweet Potatoes
Please see the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and more detailed instructions.
1. Cook the Sweet Potatoes
You can cook the sweet potatoes whatever way you prefer!
No matter the method, make sure you first thoroughly clean the potatoes, then poke each one 5 or 6 times with a sharp fork.
- The traditional way is to make Baked Sweet Potatoes. Wrap the potatoes in foil, then bake in a preheated 400℉ oven for 45 to 60 minutes.
- If you don’t know How to Microwave Sweet Potatoes, you’re missing out. Wrap the potatoes in a damp paper towel. Cook smaller potatoes for 2 to 3 minutes, medium for 4 to 5 minutes, and large for 6 to 7 minutes. Continue cooking in 30-second intervals until they’re fork tender.
- You can also make Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes. Add a little water to the bottom of the Instant Pot, then place the sweet potatoes on a trivet. Cook on high pressure for 17 minutes for medium-sized potatoes and 20 minutes for larger ones. Allow for a 10-minute natural pressure release.
- The method that best balances speed with texture is this Air Fryer Sweet Potato recipe. Preheat the air fryer to 370℉. Rub some oil and salt on each potato, then cook in the air fryer for 30 to 45 minutes, flipping halfway through.
3. Stuff the Sweet Potatoes
After the sweet potatoes are tender, slice each one open. Carefully spoon the BBQ chicken mixture into each one. These are delicious with chopped red onion, shredded cheese, and cilantro.
More Toppings to Take it Over-the-Top
- Instead of just fresh red onions, pickled red onions (even a quick soak in some water would be great to counteract the sharp bite!)
- Other pickled vegetables (pickled jalapeños are delicious!)
- Shredded cheese
- Fresh herbs. Chopped cilantro pairs so great with the sweet potatoes. Or try chopped green onions.
- Or, change it up with sour cream, yogurt, bacon, or avocado.
Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?
You can definitely use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes in this recipe! Just be sure to adjust the cooking time as needed.
FAQs
This recipe is great to meal prep ahead of time. You can bake the potatoes and make the filling the day before to save time.
For the best results, store this dish separately. Place the potatoes in a bag and the filling in an airtight container.
What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Sweet Potatoes
While these potatoes are a full meal all on their own, you can add some other sides to really round it out.
Top them off with some Chipotle Corn Salsa.
Add some greens with a salad, like a Spinach Beet Salad, Peach Salad, or Lemon Arugula Salad.
More Sweet Potato Recipes
If you’re ready for more sweet potato goodness, dig into these recipes next.
Tap stars to rate!
BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Email this recipe!
Ingredients
- 5 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ¾ teaspoons salt divided
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
Optional Toppings:
- Quick-pickled red onions or fresh red onions
- Mexican street corn salad
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh cilantro finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Poke holes all over sweet potatoes using a large fork. Drizzle potatoes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Use your hands to rub the oil all over the potatoes and sprinkle each with ¼ teaspoon salt.
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange potatoes on the baking sheet so that they are evenly spaced and cover with a piece of aluminum foil. Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until a knife easily pierces the thickest portion of the largest potato.
- Warm a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken, barbecue sauce, honey, ½ teaspoon chili powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Mix well and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until chicken is heated through.
- Serve baked sweet potatoes with barbecue chicken, and preferred toppings.
Tap stars to rate!
Video
Notes
- Nutrition: Facts are calculated without optional toppings.
- Storage: Store any leftover BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: Allow the sweet potatoes to cool completely, then wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Alternate methods. You can also microwave the sweet potatoes, cook them in an Air Fryer, or use an Instant Pot.
- Mexican Street Corn Salad: You can find the recipe here.
- Quick-Pickled Red Onions: You can find the recipe here.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Phenomenal! Will totally make again! I did the chicken in the crockpot just by preference!
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Ashley! Crockpot chicken is so good and easy! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!
I think this is going to be our lunch for our girls cookie baking day! Adding the potato prep info- time, temp etc would make this an even easier recipe. Can’t wait to try it
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Alissa! Let me know how you like it. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment!
Any suggestions for healthy sides for this?
Hi Tara! You can always choose a healthy salad or fruit for the side!
This looks so delicious and I can’t wait to try it! What kind of cheese would you recommend topping it with?
The type of cheese is completely up to you! You can try cheddar, colby jack, or pepperjack if you like some spice!
Easy and delicious! Thanks for sharing!
You’re very welcome. Thanks for the comment!
Definitely a new family favorite 😍 So easy and tasty🥰
Yay, Lindsay!! So so happy you and the family enjoyed it 🙂 Thanks for your comment and rating!
This looks like such an easy recipe for the school week. Will try this soon!
It’s a SUPER easy recipe, and SO yummy!! Thanks so much for your comment and rating!
You are amazing, thank you for the detailed info, can’t wait to try this!
You are so sweet, Alexa!! Can’t wait for you to try it, either 🙂