BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are the perfect blend of sweet and savory, offering a hearty and flavorful meal that your family will love. This easy-to-make dish is filled with tender shredded chicken coated in a smoky barbecue sauce, all served in a perfectly baked sweet potato. It’s a satisfying option for a weeknight dinner and can be topped with Mexican street corn salad, pickled red onions, or fresh cilantro for added flavor.

Full 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

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Poke holes in the sweet potatoes with a large fork, drizzle with olive oil, and rub the oil all over. Sprinkle each potato with ¼ teaspoon of salt.

2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the potatoes on the sheet, cover with aluminum foil, and bake for 45-60 minutes, or until a knife easily pierces the thickest part of the potato.

3. While the potatoes bake, warm a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken, barbecue sauce, honey, chili powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Mix well and cook for 4-5 minutes until the chicken is heated through.

4. Once the sweet potatoes are done, slice them open and top with the BBQ chicken mixture. Optionally, serve with Mexican street corn salad, pickled red onions, and fresh cilantro.

Nutrients

• Calories: 471 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 72g

• Protein: 25g

• Fat: 9g

  • Saturated Fat: 2g

  • Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g

  • Monounsaturated Fat: 4g

• Cholesterol: 63mg

• Sodium: 1594mg

• Potassium: 1093mg

• Fiber: 7g

• Sugar: 32g

• Vitamin A: 32,284 IU

• Vitamin C: 6mg

• Calcium: 98mg

• Iron: 3mg

Why Sweet Potatoes?

Sweet potatoes are not only delicious but also packed with nutritional benefits. They are rich in vitamin A, thanks to their beta-carotene content, which supports immune function and promotes healthy skin. In addition to vitamin A, sweet potatoes are a great source of potassium, fiber, and antioxidants, making them a healthy and filling choice. Their natural sweetness balances out the savory BBQ chicken, giving this dish an appealing contrast of flavors. Sweet potatoes also pair beautifully with a variety of toppings, making them versatile and customizable to suit different tastes.

Perfectly Baked Sweet Potatoes

The foundation of this dish is the perfectly baked sweet potato. Baking the sweet potatoes at 425°F (220°C) ensures they become tender and soft inside, with a caramelized skin that adds texture and flavor. The process of poking holes in the potatoes before baking allows steam to escape, preventing the potatoes from bursting and ensuring they cook evenly. By drizzling them with olive oil and seasoning with salt, you add extra flavor to the sweet potato, which complements the savory BBQ chicken and creates a balanced meal.

The BBQ Chicken Filling

The BBQ chicken filling is what truly elevates this dish. Using shredded cooked chicken makes it quick and easy to prepare, and it serves as the perfect vehicle for the smoky, tangy barbecue sauce. The addition of honey and chili powder brings complexity to the flavor profile, with the honey providing a touch of sweetness and the chili powder adding a mild heat that enhances the overall taste. This filling is savory, sweet, and slightly spicy, and it perfectly complements the natural sweetness of the baked sweet potatoes. The combination of BBQ sauce and honey coats the chicken, making each bite rich and flavorful.

A Customizable Meal

One of the best aspects of BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes is how customizable they are. Once you’ve prepared the basic sweet potato and BBQ chicken filling, you can add a variety of toppings to suit your preferences. Mexican street corn salad adds a creamy, tangy contrast with its mixture of sweet corn, mayo, cotija cheese, and lime, bringing additional texture and flavor to the dish. Pickled red onions add a sharp, tangy bite that contrasts nicely with the sweetness of the potatoes and the richness of the BBQ chicken. Fresh cilantro offers a burst of brightness and a fresh herbal note that ties the dish together.

If you’re looking for other topping options, consider adding avocado for a creamy element or a sprinkle of cheese for extra indulgence. This flexibility allows you to make the dish your own while ensuring it remains balanced and flavorful.

The Nutritional Benefits of BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are a great way to incorporate protein, vegetables, and healthy fats into one meal. The dish provides about 25 grams of protein per serving, primarily from the shredded chicken, which helps keep you feeling full and satisfied. The sweet potatoes themselves are a nutritional powerhouse, offering high amounts of vitamin A, which is essential for healthy vision, immune function, and skin health. With over 30,000 IU of vitamin A per serving, this dish is a great way to meet your daily requirements of this important nutrient.

In addition to their vitamin A content, sweet potatoes provide a good amount of fiber, with around 7 grams per serving. Fiber supports digestive health, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and promotes feelings of fullness. The dish also contains a moderate amount of fat—around 9 grams per serving—most of which comes from healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats found in olive oil. These healthy fats support heart health and provide a source of long-lasting energy.

The inclusion of barbecue sauce and honey adds a natural sweetness to the dish, but it’s important to note that it also contributes to the sugar content. However, with 32 grams of sugar per serving, much of this comes from natural sources like the sweet potatoes and honey, rather than refined sugars.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes can be served as a standalone meal, but they also pair well with a variety of sides. For a light and refreshing contrast, a simple green salad with a lemon vinaigrette can provide a fresh counterpoint to the rich and savory flavors of the stuffed potatoes. Roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, zucchini, or carrots, would also be a great addition, offering more fiber and nutrients to the meal.

If you’re looking for a more substantial meal, consider pairing the dish with a side of cornbread or a grain-based salad, such as quinoa or couscous. These sides complement the flavors of the BBQ chicken and provide additional texture and substance to the meal.

For a healthier twist, you can opt to use a sugar-free or reduced-sugar barbecue sauce to lower the overall sugar content of the dish. Alternatively, if you prefer a spicier kick, try adding some diced jalapeños or a drizzle of hot sauce on top.

Conclusion

BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are an easy-to-make, flavorful, and wholesome dish that will please the whole family. With their combination of tender, smoky BBQ chicken and naturally sweet and savory sweet potatoes, these stuffed potatoes offer a satisfying and balanced meal. The versatility of this dish allows for endless variations, from the addition of toppings like Mexican street corn salad and pickled red onions to the ability to customize the seasonings and sauces used. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a more elaborate meal with toppings, BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are sure to become a new favorite in your recipe rotation. They are the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and satisfying—making them a delicious and nutritious option for any meal.