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BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

I can’t tell you how many times this BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe has saved my dinner plans — it’s just that good and that easy! Imagine the natural sweetness of baked sweet potatoes paired with tangy, smoky BBQ chicken and a creamy mayo blend — it’s comfort food elevated. Plus, it’s the kind of meal that’s filling but light, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual weekend lunches.

What I really love about this BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe is how flexible it is. You can prep parts ahead of time, customize the toppings to your liking, and even make a double batch to enjoy leftovers that reheat beautifully. If you’re looking to impress family or just want that perfect blend of smoky and sweet, you’ll absolutely want to try this one.

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Why This Recipe Works

  • Sweet and Savory Balance: The natural sweetness of the potatoes complements the smoky BBQ chicken perfectly.
  • Simple Yet Flavorful: Minimal ingredients create a rich, layered taste without overwhelming your pantry.
  • Prep Ahead Friendly: You can cook the chicken and potatoes ahead of time, making weeknight dinners a breeze.
  • Customizable Toppings: Fresh herbs, avocado, or extra BBQ sauce can transform this dish for your exact cravings.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients here all bring their own unique magic, working in tandem to create a harmonious BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe. The sweet potatoes provide a mellow base, while the BBQ sauce gives that tangy and smoky punch, and mayo adds creaminess to hold it all together.

  • Sweet potatoes: Pick medium-sized ones that are firm and unblemished for even baking.
  • Avocado oil: I like this over other oils for its mild flavor and high smoke point, perfect for sautéing onions without overpowering the dish.
  • Red onion: Adds a sweet yet sharp bite when sautéed, which complements the BBQ flavors nicely.
  • Shredded chicken: Using cooked chicken is a great time saver; rotisserie chicken works well too!
  • BBQ sauce: Choose your favorite brand or homemade sauce for the signature tang and smoky aroma.
  • Mayo: It helps create a creamy texture that binds the filling and keeps it luscious.
  • Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing out all the flavors.
  • Optional toppings: Parsley, green onion, avocado—these add freshness and texture contrast.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I like to switch things up sometimes depending on what’s in my fridge or my mood. Feel free to play around with different BBQ sauces, or even use Greek yogurt instead of mayo for a tangier, lighter filling. It’s your kitchen, so make it yours!

  • Variation: Once, I swapped shredded chicken for pulled pork and it turned out fantastic — same technique, different protein.
  • Dairy-Free Alternative: Use vegan mayo or a cashew cream if you want to skip dairy but keep that creamy texture.
  • Spicier Kick: Add some chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce into the chicken mixture for extra heat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Step 1: Bake the Sweet Potatoes Until Tender

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Rinse your sweet potatoes and give them a few pokes with a fork — this helps steam escape so they bake evenly without bursting. I line a baking sheet with parchment paper to keep clean-up simple, then place the sweet potatoes on top. Bake them for about 50 minutes until they’re soft when pierced with a fork. Don’t skip this doneness test; undercooked potatoes can ruin the texture of your final dish.

Step 2: Sauté Onions for Extra Depth

About 5 minutes before your potatoes are ready, heat avocado oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add your diced red onion, along with a pinch of salt and pepper, and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until transparent and fragrant. This step softens the onions and mellows their bite, making them a perfect base for the BBQ chicken filling.

Step 3: Mix Your BBQ Chicken Filling

Once your sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice them lengthwise and carefully scoop out the flesh, leaving a thin layer inside the skins so they hold their shape. Add the scooped potato to a mixing bowl with the sautéed onions, shredded chicken, half of your BBQ sauce, and about a third of the mayo. Stir gently until combined, then season with salt and pepper to taste. This combo creates a creamy, tangy filling packed with flavor.

Step 4: Stuff and Bake for the Perfect Finish

Spoon the chicken mixture evenly back into your sweet potato skins. Lower your oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake them for another 20-25 minutes until everything is heated through and the tops start to get a little golden. While they’re in the oven, mix together the remaining BBQ sauce and mayo so you’re ready to drizzle on top once they come out.

Step 5: Add the Finishing Touches

Right after baking, drizzle your BBQ-mayo mix evenly over each stuffed sweet potato — I love how this little extra step makes them taste like you spent way more time on the dish than you actually did. Top with parsley, green onion, or avocado slices if you’re using them, then dive in!

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Pro Tips for Making BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

  • Use Fork Pokes for Even Baking: Poking holes in your sweet potatoes helps them bake faster and more evenly.
  • Don’t Over-Scoop the Potato Flesh: Leaving a thin layer inside the skins prevents them from breaking when filled.
  • Mix BBQ Sauce and Mayo Separately: Drizzling this mixture on top at the end adds a fresh hit of flavor and keeps it from drying out.
  • Prep Chicken Ahead: Shredded chicken from a rotisserie or leftovers makes this recipe super quick to pull together.

How to Serve BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

The image shows eight slices of roasted sweet potato arranged on crinkled parchment paper over a white marbled surface. Each sweet potato slice is topped with a thick layer of shredded chicken mixed with small bits of red onion, giving the topping a textured and slightly chunky look. The chicken topping has a light orange color with some darker spots, hinting at seasoning and cooking. The sweet potato flesh beneath is a deep orange, visible around the edges of the topping. The slices vary in shape but are all roughly oval and evenly spaced. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For garnishes, I’m a big fan of freshly chopped parsley because it adds a pop of color and freshness. Thinly sliced green onions introduce a mild tangy crunch that pairs beautifully with the creamy filling. If you want something creamier, a few slices of ripe avocado work wonders and elevate the dish even more.

Side Dishes

I usually serve these stuffed sweet potatoes alongside a crisp green salad or some roasted veggies to balance the richness. Cornbread or a simple coleslaw also pairs beautifully, especially if you’re going for that classic BBQ vibe at home.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun dinner party, I’ve served these in mini sweet potatoes as bite-sized appetizers that guests love. Lining them up on a colorful platter with extra BBQ sauce and fresh herbs makes the presentation pop without much effort. Trust me, they’ll look as good as they taste!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers store great in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually keep the drizzled BBQ-mayo separate if I plan to store and add it fresh after reheating. This helps keep the potatoes from getting soggy.

Freezing

You can freeze the stuffed sweet potatoes—just don’t add the mayo sauce before freezing. Wrap each one in foil or place them in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers in a 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes, covered loosely with foil to prevent drying out. Then, I drizzle fresh BBQ-mayo sauce and add any toppings before serving—which always makes leftovers just as tasty as fresh.

FAQs

  1. Can I use frozen shredded chicken for this BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe?

    Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw it fully and drain any excess moisture before mixing it with the other ingredients. This helps prevent your filling from becoming watery.

  2. What if I don’t have avocado oil? Can I substitute?

    Yes, you can swap avocado oil for olive oil or even a neutral oil like canola. Just avoid strong-flavored oils that might overpower the delicate flavors in the filling.

  3. Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

    You can! Replace the shredded chicken with cooked black beans or a plant-based protein and adjust the seasoning to your taste. The sweet potatoes and BBQ sauce still make a great base.

  4. How do I prevent the sweet potato skins from getting soggy?

    Leaving a thin layer of sweet potato flesh inside the skins helps maintain their structure and prevents sogginess. Also, baking them again after stuffing helps firm them up beautifully.

Final Thoughts

This BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe has become one of my go-to dishes because it’s both satisfying and ridiculously simple to make. I love how it feels special even with everyday ingredients. If you’re looking for a recipe that tastes like it took hours but actually comes together in under an hour, this is it—give it a try, and you might just find yourself making it again and again!

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BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.4 from 4 reviews
  • Author: Julia
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Yield: 8 stuffed potatoes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes combine the natural sweetness of baked sweet potatoes with a savory, tangy chicken filling made with BBQ sauce and mayo. This hearty and comforting dish is perfect for a delicious and easy dinner that can be prepared ahead of time.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Sweet Potatoes

  • 4 medium sweet potatoes (38 ounces)
  • 1/2 tablespoon avocado oil

Chicken Filling

  • 1 cup diced red onion (120 grams)
  • 3 cups shredded chicken (340 grams/about 1 pound raw & then cooked)
  • 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon BBQ sauce, divided
  • 1/3 cup + 1/2 tablespoon mayo, divided
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Toppings

  • Parsley
  • Green onion
  • Avocado
  • Additional BBQ sauce

Instructions

  1. Prep the Potatoes: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Rinse the sweet potatoes and poke them several times with a fork. Place the potatoes on the baking sheet and bake for about 50 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.
  2. Make the Chicken Mixture: With about 5 minutes left on the sweet potatoes, heat a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add the avocado oil and let it heat for about 30 seconds. Add the diced red onion, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally. Transfer the onions to a medium bowl and set aside.
  3. Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: When the sweet potatoes are done baking, remove them from the oven and cut them in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out most of the flesh into the bowl with the onions, leaving a thin layer inside the skins to keep their shape intact.
  4. Combine the Filling: To the bowl with sweet potato flesh and onions, add the shredded chicken, 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, and 1/3 cup mayo. Mix thoroughly until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Stuff the Potatoes: Evenly divide the chicken mixture back into the sweet potato skins. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the stuffed potatoes for 20-25 minutes until heated through.
  6. Prepare the Drizzle: While the stuffed potatoes bake, mix the remaining 1 tablespoon BBQ sauce and 1/2 tablespoon mayo in a small bowl to make a drizzle sauce.
  7. Serve: Once the potatoes are hot, remove from oven and drizzle the BBQ mayo sauce evenly over them. Add any optional toppings such as parsley, green onion, avocado, or extra BBQ sauce. Enjoy warm!

Notes

  • To save time, cook the sweet potatoes and prepare shredded chicken a few days in advance; store separately in the refrigerator until ready to assemble.
  • Make sure to leave a thin layer of sweet potato flesh inside the skins to prevent them from collapsing when stuffed.
  • Adjust the amount of BBQ sauce and mayo to taste or dietary preferences.
  • Use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken to reduce preparation time.
  • Optional toppings like avocado add creaminess and freshness to balance the tangy BBQ flavors.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 stuffed potato
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 450 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg

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